A qualitative intersectional investigation into the experiences and consequences of Whistleblowing for women nurses

This fully funded (fees + stipend) PhD studentship will sit within a Wellcome Trust-funded project titled: Revisioning distress and suicidality in women nurses through a feminist, critical suicidology lens. You’ll be based in the School for Health Sciences and will be part of a supportive and vibrant research and learning community within the Workforce, Organisation and Wellbeing expert group. 

About the Wellcome project. 

The risk of suicide in women nurses is 23% higher than women in other occupational groups. Current suicide research and policy is gender- and colour-blind, and current research exploring elevated suicide rates in women nurses is limited. 

This project:

• employs novel, innovative and inclusive methods, theories and philosophical positions
• provides representation and visibility for diverse and under-represented voices and experiences
• illuminates under-researched experiences and contexts.

For more information about this project and team visit our website

About this PhD

This PhD will provide the student opportunity to design a research project that may include the following objectives:

1. To characterise how experiences of whistleblowing impact the mental health and wellbeing of diverse nurses
2. To identify any links between whistleblowing and (moral and/or) suicidal distress
3. To understand the decision-making processes that women nurses engage with in the context of whistleblowing
4. To understand the supportive factors and barriers which can influence women nurses’ ability to whistleblow
5. To assess the consequences for women nurses of whistleblowing (career, relationships, mental health)
6. To identify recommendations to improve whistleblowing systems and after-care for whistleblowers.

Proposed Methodology

In line with the theory and methodology underpinning the Wellcome Trust Project, we propose a feminist intersectional approach employing qualitative methods. 

Support

You’ll have a knowledgeable and supportive supervisory team as well as access to clinical supervision to ensure you are provided with regular emotional and psychological support throughout your PhD.

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our  Health Sciences PhD programme.

You will have completed a MSc or MA and have achieved a minimum award of a 2:1 or above in your degree and dissertation module:

• You will have completed a MSc or MA and have achieved a minimum award of a 2/1 or above in your degree and dissertation module.
• Some experience of undertaking qualitative research at either postgraduate level and/or through work experience.
• Ability to undertake academic research, organise own research activities to agreed deadlines and quality standards.
• A good understanding of how qualitative research data are analysed, presented and interpreted.
• Ability to develop internal and external contacts in order to enhance knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• Ability to work as part of a team and also to work independently using own initiative.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate new and complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Ability to take on board and apply constructive feedback.
• Alignment with feminism-intersectional perspective and wider project values.
• Understanding of healthcare contexts.
• Willingness to travel.

The University of Surrey welcomes diverse communities and we strive to be inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from nurses and/or people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and communities who are underrepresented at the University. We offer family-friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff and students. We can offer hybrid working but are not able to offer a fully remote PhD.