PhD Studentship (3 years): Ethnically diverse and migrant health care workers’ experiences of bullying and incivility in the workplace: A qualitative study from the target and the bystander perspective

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship, supported by the College of Business and Social Sciences to be undertaken within the Department of Work and Organisation at Aston University.

The position is available to start in January 2025.

Financial Support

This studentship includes a fee bursary to cover the home or overseas fees rate, plus a maintenance allowance of £19,237 per year for the full 3 year programme. 

Background to the Project

We invite prospective PhD students to join an innovative research project focused on understanding and addressing workplace bullying and incivility among ethnically diverse and migrant healthcare workers in the UK. This project aims to create a respectful and ethical working environment within the NHS by exploring the experiences of those who are directly and indirectly affected by these harmful behaviours.

Why This Project Matters

Workplace bullying and incivility are pervasive issues in the healthcare sector, with significant negative impacts on employees’ mental health, wellbeing, and performance. This research seeks to:

• Understand Experiences: How do ethnically diverse and migrant NHS staff perceive and account for selective incivility and bullying?
• Assess Psychological Effects: What are the mental health and wellbeing impacts of these experiences?
• Explore Voicing Dynamics: What influences the decision to voice concerns or remain silent?
• Evaluate Support Systems: How effective are organizational, supervisory, and peer supports in mitigating negative consequences and promoting voicing?

Research Approach

The project employs a qualitative methodology, offering in-depth insights through semi-structured interviews with:

• Targets: about 30 ethnically diverse and migrant staff members who have experienced incivility and bullying.
• Witnesses: about 30 staff members who have witnessed these behaviours.

Each interview will be conducted online, lasting approximately 60 minutes. Participants will be recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised, and analysed using thematic coding.

Theoretical Framework

Grounded in existing research on workplace incivility and bullying, this project highlights the critical nature of these issues in the healthcare sector. Understanding these behaviours from both the target’s and bystander’s perspectives is essential, as bystanders’ reactions can significantly influence the prevalence and impact of bullying and incivility.

Why join this project?

As a PhD student on this project, you will:

• Make a Real Impact: Contribute to the development of policies and practices that promote a healthier, more inclusive working environment in the NHS.
• Gain Valuable Skills: Develop expertise in qualitative research methods, thematic coding, and data analysis.
• Collaborate with Experts: Work closely with leading researchers and healthcare professionals.
• Advance Your Career: Enhance your academic profile and career prospects in the fields of healthcare management and organizational behaviour.

Person Specification

The successful candidate should hold a Masters degree in the social sciences (or related disciplines) with a Merit overall (or equivalent) with a dissertation/research element, PLUS a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution).

Contact information

For informal enquiries about this project please contact Prof Roberta Fida [email protected].

Submitting an application

Your application must include:

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
2. A Research Proposal Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience. 
4. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.
5. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.
6. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Apply for this position here