Co-Producing a virtual reality-based conflict management and communication skills training intervention for referees and match officials in sport

Summary

Sports match officials (e.g., referees) encounter many stressors when performing their role. These stressors include making “wrong” calls and experiencing interpersonal conflict, such as verbal abuse, from spectators, coaches, and players. Abuse experiences are linked with higher distress, poorer mental health, and greater intentions to quit amongst match officials.

Match officials use a range of strategies when attempting to cope with interpersonal conflict, though not all these strategies are effective. Coping by avoiding a situation, such as rushing or moving on with play, can lead to poor decision-making which can escalate conflict further, for example. In contrast, effective communication, such as explaining decisions made, can help to de-escalate conflict, whereas expressing anger or venting can have the opposite effect. Finally, using strategies to regulate one’s own and others’ emotions can also help to manage conflict situations more effectively.
Despite evidence highlighting a range of effective coping strategies to manage interpersonal conflict, current training for match officials tends to over-emphasise the rules of a game. Few training interventions exist that aim to improve communication competencies and educate match officials on effective conflict management. One potential tool to develop these skills is virtual reality (VR). VR can be used as an enjoyable and engaging tool to train and develop communication and conflict management skills in a safe and non-threatening environment. As such, this PhD research will involve three studies:

Study 1. A systematic review of research on effective and ineffective conflict management strategies and communication skills in match officials.
Study 2: Co-produce a VR-based training intervention to develop effective interpersonal conflict management and communication skills in match officials.
Study 3. Pilot-test the co-produced intervention with match officials to explore both short-term (e.g., communication skill development) and longer-term effects (e.g., performance, coping strategies used, intentions to quit, mental health impact) of the intervention.

Please note: Applications from those holding or expecting to hold a 2:1 Honours Degree in Psychology are strongly encouraged to apply.  Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Psychology, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living