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Project Background: 

The Centre for Implementation Research at UL (CIRcUL) is a cross-disciplinary centre dedicated to developing, supporting, and enhancing the implementation of evidence-based research, policies, programmes, and professional practices into routine practice for the effective delivery of public services, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable members of society.

CIRcUL works to build capacity in implementation science nationally and internationally, and works to deliver policy-focused research projects, to deliver place-based implementation solutions for health and societal problems, to develop implementation science theories, methods and tools and to contribute to the academic literature through excellent research outputs.

CIRcUL are currently undertaking three large-scale projects.

1. In collaboration with the Health Services Executive (HSE), evaluation of the National Virtual Ward Programme’s launch of the first two Virtual Wards. As of the end of Q2 2024, the innovative new service is available at St Vincent’s University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick. A Virtual Ward is a safe and efficient alternative to HSE bedded care that is enabled by technology. Virtual Wards support patients who would otherwise be in hospital to receive the acute care, monitoring and treatment they need in the comfort of their own home. This innovative approach allows patients to stay under the care of the hospital team while benefiting from the comfort and convenience of their home environment.

2. Evaluation of the four Local Area Child Poverty Action Plan pilot areas. The pilots aim to achieve better service integration and improve access to available services for disadvantaged children, young people, and their families. This work is supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s (DCEDIY) What Works initiative, which receives its funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF), managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

3. In collaboration with Respond, a leading Approved Housing Body and service provider, CIRcUL will advise on the implementation of their innovative approach to supporting communities alongside the social and cost rental housing they provide. The goal of this collaboration is to provide essential learning for what works, why it works, how to improve and how to critically replicate the successes of their best practices.

To meet our research agenda, CIRcUL would like to offer two full-time PhD Scholarships to suitable candidates to work across the three projects while undertaking doctoral research in a discrete area of implementation science (details below). The successful candidates will become part of the Centre and supportive structures of CIRcUL. As such, PhD candidates will have full access to UL postgraduate resources and laboratories and the expertise within the Research Centre. The expectation is that the student would enrol in a structured PhD programme. During this time, the PhD candidate will be trained in both qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate to their project. An inter-disciplinary supervision team will be appointed to each of the two PhD projects. 

PhD details:

This PhD project aims to explore the nuanced dynamics of policy implementation through a philosophical lens, focusing on the essence of organisational missions (the spirit) rather than top-down directives alone (the letter). By engaging with the three distinct projects the CIRcUL is currently undertaking, the research will investigate how deeply-rooted philosophies influence implementation practices, emphasising the experiential and emotional dimensions that drive success at all organisational levels

The programme of research will delve into the intangible qualities that shape implementation outcomes and explore critical questions about what it means to embody an organisational ethos in practice, clarifying the interplay between policy, implementation science, the intrinsic motivations that inspire meaningful change and the motivation to always seek to perform better, where it occurs. 

This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of how the mission of an organisation can be integrated into tangible implementation strategies, fostering a more holistic approach to striving for exceptional as opposed to acceptable policy goals.

Supervision team: Prof. Audrey Tierney, Prof. Seán Redmond, Dr Laura Keyes

Decision-making and success in the scale-up of innovative practices and policies may be underpinned by multiple factors and driven by diverse players. This PhD study will involve investigating existing scalability frameworks and tools, their included constructs and evidence of applicability across fields/policy areas; combined with ascertaining perspectives on scalability from key stakeholders in the three CIRcUL led large-scale projects underway. The goal of this work is to contribute an understanding and recommendations supporting the development of a novel scalability implementation framework fit for complex public policy contexts.

Supervision team: Dr Carol-Anne Murphy, Dr Johnny Connolly, Dr Liz Kingston, Dr Laura Keyes

Funding:

The scholarships will cover annual postgraduate fees (€5,750) and a stipend (€22,000 per annum) for three years. There is potential to extend this period through applying for additional funding with the support of the supervision team. Successful applicants will normally have a postgraduate qualification or an Upper Second-Class Honours Degree in a discipline related to the research area.  Evidence of project management, scientific writing and an understanding of research methodologies would be an advantage.  Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate an ability to work independently with the support of a research supervision team and the enthusiasm to contribute to a stimulating research environment. 

Application details:

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Audrey Tierney, School of Allied Health, ºÚÁÏÉç (Email: Audrey.Tierney@ul.ie) for PhD 1 and Dr Carol-Anne Murphy, School of Allied Health, ºÚÁÏÉç (Email: carol-anne.murphy@ul.ie)  for PhD 2.

Please send a CV (full curriculum vitae with referee details) with a personal statement outlining why you would like to pursue one of these PhD research opportunities (maximum 500 words) and what you think you could contribute to the project (maximum 500 words) to Dr Laura Keyes (via email to the address above). Closing date for receipt of application is 30^th May 2025. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend for interview. Applications to both PhD opportunities by the same applicant will be accepted.