PhD Studentship

Brunel University -Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

The School of Sport and Education is comprised of the Sport Sciences and Education subject areas, both of which have been consistently rated highly in national league tables. This reflects a strong tradition in Sport and Education coupled with significant recent investment in state-of-the-art sports and laboratory facilities for research and teaching. The School offers a vibrant mix of young researchers working alongside more experienced colleagues. Within Sport Sciences we have two research centres: the Brunel Centre for Sport Health and Wellbeing (BC^.SHaW) and the Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance (CSMHP). Within Education we have three research groups: Curriculum Adaptation and Educational Interventions (CAEI) including Brunel Able Children’s Education Centre (BACE); Education, Identities and Social Inclusion (EISI) and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), including Pedagogy and Professional Practice (PPP). As part of our vision for 2014 and beyond, we are looking to continue development in these areas.
The research group Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) including (PPP) is looking to recruit one PhD student with interest in the following topic:

• Dr Gwen Ineson and Dr Heather Mendick invite applicants for a PhD studentship commencing 1^st October 2013 relating to a professional practice and policy evaluation project entitled “Developing Young Children’s Number Sense Post National Numeracy Strategy”. The successful candidate will carry out in-depth qualitative research in year 4 classes in two schools to explore how calculation policy and practice impact on young children’s relationship with numeracy in the classroom context. The recently proposed mathematics curriculum emphasises Michael Gove’s interest in ‘traditional’ skills. The result of this is likely to be a reduced focus in classrooms on building ‘number sense’ and thus it is timely to re-explore the impact of current policies and practices on how young children develop their sense of numeracy. For informal discussions about this project, please contact Dr Gwen Ineson by e-mail at gwen.ineson@brunel.ac.uk ; 

Eligibility Applicants must have a good undergraduate degree (upper second or first) in a Sport Sciences or related discipline and preferably hold a relevant master’s degree. Studentships of £12,980 plus Home/EU tuition fees for a maximum of three years are available to support successful applicants. Each student is required to contribute 150 hours towards the teaching- and learning-related activities of the School of Sport and Education in each academic year.
How to Apply If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to sse-pgrcourses@brunel.ac.uk by 12 Noon on Friday 10^th May 2013:

• An up-to-date CV;
• Information about the teaching and learning activities you have experience in and/or could support;
• A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement stating the name of the project at the top of the page setting out why you are a suitable candidate. If you are applying for more than one project you will need to provide a personal statement for each application;
• Names and contact details for three referees (two academic and one personal).

For further information, please contact our Research Administrator on +44 (0)1895 266 492 or