Fully-funded KESS Research Masters: closing date 29/01/14

A KESS Student will be recruited to deliver this masters research project. Project Ref: BU Mini 080

Title of research project: Exploration of the Wales Wellbeing Bond in the Gwynedd Mon Partnership

Summary of the project: 

This project presents an exciting opportunity to complete a fully funded masters research project.

Pressure on public spending at a time when the demand for public services is rising means that we are increasingly looking for ways to make savings whilst also maintaining quality services for people. The Wales Well-being Bond has been introduced to help address this challenge. The Bond aims to reduce the demand for public services through greater investment in preventative and community-based work. This research project will look at the impact of the Wales Well-being Bond in two North Wales Local Authority areas. It will focus on the planning and delivery of a small number of community-based schemes that have been developed with the investment. The research will:

  1. Identify some of the unique and innovative elements of the schemes. 
  2. Consider the experiences and challenges faced by local organisations, members of the local community and individuals who use the schemes.  

The research will involve interviewing service users, service planners and service providers. It will also involve looking at routinely collected data in health and social care organisations.   

Summary of school/area/partner company: The student will be based in the School of Social Sciences, Bangor University, which offers a dynamic and exciting research environment. He or she will work closely with the company partner, Trystan Pritchard, who is the Senior Partnerships Manager, Gwynedd and Anglesey Partnerships Unit (Gwynedd and Anglesey Councils).

The full time 1 year studentship (theses must be submitted a maximum of 3 months after the funded one year study period) includes a tax-free maintenance stipend of £10,130 for 12 months, with full-time fees paid and additional allowances. A requirement of the studentship is a 30-day placement with the partner company, during the period of the project. The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS scholar.  More information on the studentship and application process can be found at www.higherskillswales.co.uk/kess

Qualifications and experience requirements for successful applicant. The prospective applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be available to take up the studentship during February 2014.  (Applicants need only apply – they do not need to secure a partner company.)

Informal enquiries should be made to: Diane Seddon, School of Social Sciences, Bangor University, telephone 01248 388 220, email d.seddon@bangor.ac.uk

How to apply: The first step in the application process will be to complete and submit KESS Participant Application and Eligibility Form which can be downloaded here. This form must be completed, signed and an original copy submitted to Caroline Barton, Senior Clerical Officer, KESS, Room E1.09, The Management Centre, College Road, Bangor, LL57 2DG kess@bangor.ac.uk. You will receive a response regarding your eligibility within 5 working days of receipt of your form.

The closing date: Wednesday 29th January 2014 Short-listed applicants will usually be required to attend an interview.   

Eligibility: To be eligible to participate in the KESS programme prospective students must be resident in the Convergence Area (West Wales and the Valleys) on application, and be able to work in the Convergence Area upon completion of the scholarship.  The Eligibility Form is the first step in the application process and any applications which do not meet the above criteria will not be processed further.

Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales.  It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.

Please direct all KESS queries to: kess@bangor.ac.uk; 01248 383 582.

Publication date: 9 January 2014