PhD Studentship in Assistive Technology
The Division of Applied Biomedical Research at King’s College London, UK,
invites applications for a PhD studentship funded by King’s College
London.
It is recognised in the literature that the success of assistive
technology (AT) rests on good assessment, centred around the user.
However, there are many different types of assessment done in practice,
as each service has developed its own procedures, and there are no good
practice guidelines. There are also two other crucial steps in AT
provision directly related to its success: delivery and follow-up, of
which the literature is even sparser than for assessment.
This PhD project will investigate the assessment, delivery and follow-up
procedures at well-established AT services in the British Isles who will
be observed as case-studies and from whom a set of good practice
guidelines will be derived.
The aims are: to better understand the assessment, delivery and follow-up
processes taking place and to evaluate how improved performance can be
obtained through good practice. Where the data is available, a
cost-benefit analysis will also be done. The project will blend
theoretical analysis based on the literature with ethnographic
observations, as it is expected the student will spend some time in each
of the case study services. Ethnographic data will then the analysed in
order to synthesise good practice guidelines for assessment, delivery and
follow-up.
The successful applicant will join a dynamic research group within the
Division of Applied Biomedical Research. The studentship is available for
suitably qualified UK or EU students. The studentship includes full
payment of fees and a 3-year maintenance grant (currently in the region
of £14,300 tax-free per annum). Applications are invited from
committed and highly observant individuals, who have a 1st class or upper
2nd class honours degree, or masters, in assistive technology,
occupational therapy, or a related discipline with experience in
AT.
Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Ruth Mayagoitia-Hill, 020
7848 8102,
[log in to unmask], who will be the main supervisor.
The is available from Autumn 2006. Applicants should apply by completing
an online application form available at
www.kcl.ac.uk/pg/apply/
Further details of CoRE and the Division of Applied Biomedical
Research can be found at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/kcsmd/mep/core.htm and
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/biomedical/appbiomed/index.html. The
closing date for applications is July 31st, 2006.
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Dr. Ruth Mayagoitia-Hill
Coordinator, MSc in Assistive Technology
Centre of Rehabilitation Engineering
Academic Department of Physiotherapy
4.16 Shepherd's House
Guy's Campus
King's College London
London SE1 1UL
United Kingdom
Tel: + 00 44 (0)20 7848 8102
Fax: +00 44 (0)20 7848 6325
www.kcl.ac.uk/core