Overview
The longest-established academic Communication department in the UK, with a vibrant research tradition that produces internationally excellent work.
Summary
The Communication research thrust takes place across three main sub-areas. These are Interpersonal Communication, Health Communication and Organisational Communication. Each of these sub-groupings has a leader who drives the research efforts in terms of staff publications, applications for external grant income, and doctoral students. The Clusters are a focus for discussion and development; comparing and developing research methodology; and, sharing of literature, resources and innovative ideas for research.
Research supervision is available in all areas of communication, including interpersonal communication, social interaction, health communication, counselling, organisational communication, advertising, public relations.
About
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Communication research focuses on research in workplace communication, uncertainty management, and developing skilled communication in a range of contexts. In addition it studies groups and relational communication, which focuses on the areas of intercommunity communication, communication post-terror attacks, communities of practice, and forgiveness and reconciliation.
Health Communication
Health Communication research focuses on the two main areas of health communication and counselling. Current health communication themes include: obesity communication, cancer communication, social media in health communication, health PR and promotion, and well-being within the workplace. Current counselling themes are counselling services, post-traumatic growth and secondary trauma.
Organisational Communication
Organisational Communication research spans a wide range of areas, including: auditing internal and external communications; the role of communication in facilitating change; the use of the internet as a promotional tool; public relations in Ireland; the adoption and implementation of PR evaluation systems; the power of advertisement likeability in predicting campaign success; and, the use of new media technologies in political communication.
Applicants should indicate the research area or project they wish to be considered for. Applicants are also encouraged to contact the supervisors associated with particular projects and research areas before applying.
Applicants should be aware of the competitive nature of the funding competition, which attracts a high number of good quality applications each year for a limited number of awards.
Further details about each programme area can be found at the following links:
Project Area 1:
Key Issues in Interpersonal Communication and Social Interaction
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/socsci-phd/com1/
Project Area 2:
Key Issues in Health Communication and Counselling
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/socsci-phd/com2/
Project Area 3:
Key issues in Organisational Communication, Advertising or Public Relations