RCOMH: making the next five years count

Now that RCOMH has been set–up and we have our national launch booked for January 2009 we need to ensure that the work of the Centre is focused on achieving its mission of developing world class research in occupation and mental health to influence best practice. To this end the steering group has developed a five-year strategy to direct our efforts. We are extremely fortunate that Hayley Barratt, an undergraduate student at York St John University, has offered to develop a marketing plan for the Centre. This plan will be based on our strategy but you may also have ideas about how we can best bridge the gap between research and practice. If you have any views or comments you would like to make about this please contact Hayley directly E: hayley.barratt@yorksj.ac.uk

Have you thought of applying for a PhD studentship?

The Faculty of Health and Social Work at the University of Plymouth is currently offering MPhil/PhD studentships for full and part-time students.

• A full-time PhD studentship lasts 3 years and will receive a stipend of £12,300 per year (tax free) and full fees at the Home/EU rate, subject to satisfactory progress
• A part-time PhD studentships lasts 4-6 years and will receive a stipend of £6,150 per year (tax free) and full fees at the Home/EU rate subject to satisfactory progress
• A full-time or part time scholarship is also available which will provide full fees at the Home/EU rate, subject to satisfactory progress.

Occupational therapists are eligible to apply for these and Dr Anne Roberts is able to act as Director of Studies. Anne is particularly interested in encouraging people who may be interested in a study on occupation.  If you wish to discuss a proposed topic in more detail contact Anne directly E: anne.roberts@plymouth.ac.uk. The weblink for the information about the studentships is www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=24572

Application dates

• Deadline for studentship and scholarship applications is 2 February 2009.
• Candidates applying for a scholarship will be informed of the outcome by 23 February 2009.
• Candidates shortlisted for a FT or PT studentship will be interviewed during w/c 16 February 2009 and informed of the outcome by 23 February 2009.
• Commencement of studentship/scholarship: April 2009 or October 2009, depending on individual circumstances.

If this studentship does not particularly meet your needs but you would like to study for a PhD why not make an appointment at the research clinic to discuss your interest in occupation, mental health and well being? (See below for more details.)

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS New members of the RCOMH steering group

We are delighted to announce that Wendy Bryant, Brunel University, and Sarah Cook and Colette Fegan from Sheffield Hallam University have agreed to sit on to the steering group. This will greatly increase the research expertise on the steering group and is an important step forward for the Centre which is now another step closer to achieving its mission.

Research clinic dates for 2009

The last date for the 2008 research clinics was 5 December.  Research clinics are an opportunity for you to book one-to-one appointments or an appointment for a group of you to meet with a researcher to discuss research (or research related) issues in the mental health field. The dates for next year are:

• 18 March 2009
• 9 June 2009
• 7 Sept 2009
• 8 December 2009

If you would like to book an appointment E: RCOMH@yorksj.ac.uk