Project Area: Health policy and systems research
Project Summary
This interdisciplinary PhD project tackles the urgent issue of caregiving inequities for neurological conditions. This project places particular emphasis on care for stroke and dementia, given their prevalence, comorbidity, share challenges for older informal caregivers, and place in the health system. As the prevalence of these conditions rises, informal caregiving has become increasingly vital, yet the burden disproportionately falls on women due to entrenched gender norms. Male caregivers, meanwhile, often face exclusion from female-oriented support services. This project seeks to identify these gendered and intersectional caregiving disparities, addressing gaps in current support systems and improving healthcare policies.
- The project aims to explore caregiving inequities and create practical, co-designed tools to reduce burdens and improve caregivers’ well-being. It includes a scoping review to map gendered caregiving dynamics and systemic gaps (Objective 1).
- Longitudinal data analysis of datasets like TILDA and qualitative research will uncover trends in caregiving burdens, health outcomes, and their intersection with socioeconomic factors (Objective 2).
- Participatory co-design workshops will engage caregivers to develop tailored interventions informed by their lived experiences (Objective 3).
- Finally, the formulation of recommendations will ensure policy impact (Objective 4).
The scholar will benefit from integration into networks such as SPHeRE and INTERDEM, gaining access to mentorship, interdisciplinary training, and networking opportunities. They will develop expertise in mixed-methods research, including epidemiological, qualitative, and participatory approaches, equipping them to tackle societal challenges with innovative, equity-driven solutions and policy.
Skills Required
(If applying for this project you will be asked to outline how you meet the skills required below)
- The ideal candidate for this role should possess BSc or MSc in a health-related field.
- Effective communication abilities and the capacity to build and maintain professional networks are also critical for success, together with strong time-management and organizational skills.
- A strong understanding of health disparities, alongside experience in qualitative or quantitative data analysis, is desirable.
- Creative design skills would further support the development of innovative approaches and solutions within this research context.
Supervisory team:
Dr Hannah Christie, PI/Primary Supervisor,
School of Population Health, RCSI
Dr Eithne Sexton, Co-Principal Investigator, School of Population Health, RCSI
Dr Sarah Barry, Co-Primary Supervisor, School of Population Health, RCSI
This project will be based in RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
