Cats and the ‘Good Life’: a PhD studentship to investigate the association between the cat-owner relationship and owner mental wellbeing

Description

Are you passionate about the bond between pets and their owners? While much of the current research has focused on dogs or ‘pets’ in general, we’re now turning the spotlight onto the more overlooked world of cats. Aiming to explore how relationships with cats can shape owner mental wellbeing, this project aims to generate both quantitative and qualitative insights around the wellbeing benefits and challenges of cat ownership.

Previous work by the supervisory team identified particular mental wellbeing impacts around dog ownership specifically (see Merkouri, Graham et al. 2022). Drawing on the psychological concepts of hedonic (immediate feelings and emotional satisfaction) and eudaimonic (purpose, personal growth, and alignment with personal values) wellbeing, this study found that dog ownership can promote personal growth, positive relationships, and emotional support but can also generate burdens of care and stresses, with the impact of this depending on the strength and quality of the human-animal bond.

Aiming to produce cat-specific insights in this area, this PhD studentship will use a mixed-methods approach to develop understandings of the relationship between cat ownership and owner mental wellbeing in the UK. To achieve this, Stage 1 of this project will involve developing and administering an online survey to UK cat owners. The survey will include the use of validated scales to measure a wide range of mental wellbeing outcomes and the strength of the cat-owner relationship. In Stage 2 of the project, we will design and undertake an in-depth interview study with 20-30 adult cat owners in the UK. This stage aims to generate rich qualitative insights into whether and how cat owners perceive their mental wellbeing to be affected by their relationship with their cat(s). Finally, Stage 3 of the project will assess how the different methodological approaches taken to examine both the cat-owner relationship and the experience of mental wellbeing contribute to this area of study.

You will join the Westgarth Anthrozoology Group (WAG-LAB) in the Department of Livestock and One Health, School of Veterinary Science. You will be under the expert supervision of leading scientists Prof Carri Westgarth and Dr Tamzin Furtado. The project will also be co-supervised by our industry collaborators, Waltham Petcare Science Institute. As part of your training, you will be able to undertake both Public Health and Qualitative Research Methods modules as appropriate.

You will lead on academic publications and co-author with other members of the team. Your research will not only contribute to the growing evidence base on pet ownership but also inform how policies and interventions may support future pet owners and improve animal welfare.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Dedicated and enthusiastic individual
• Relevant background such as psychology, public health, social sciences, veterinary/animal sciences, anthropology.
• An undergraduate degree at 2:1
• Experience in undertaking research using relevant research methods, such as interviews or surveys
• Some understanding of statistical analysis methods.

Desirable:

• Relevant Masters degree
• Use of statistical analysis packages such as SPSS or R
• Experience in conducting and analysing qualitative research interviews
• Whilst experience in both qualitative and quantitative research is desirable, we appreciate this may not be possible at this stage in your career and can provide training to help you thrive in this exciting role.

The project is anticipated to begin by April 2025.  Our PhD studentships are associated with ‘on-campus’ degree programmes. We do not accept applications from students that are unable to relocate to meet the attendance and participation requirements of our degree programmes. This PhD will be based full-time (expectation of 40 hours per week) in-person at the Leahurst Campus, Wirral, with some travel to main Liverpool Campus. The candidate will also undertake research placements with the project’s industry collaborator, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, in Leicestershire.

Applications should be made to project supervisors in the first instance via CV and cover letter. This is for all applications. Only when a candidate has been selected following interview will a formal online application through the University systems be required.

To apply please send a full CV and personal statement covering letter to carri.westgarth@liverpool.ac.uk 

In your cover letter please include answers to the following five questions:

1. What inspires you about the project you have applied for?
2. Describe how your skill set matches the Essential and Desirable skills for the project, and the more general skills required for a PhD. If you don’t currently have specific skills, please describe, with examples, your aptitude to learn new skills.
3. Please describe up to 3 examples that show your commitment to a career in science.
4. Describe a recent piece of science that excited you. This can be a project you led, were involved in or another person's science that excited you. How would you have done it differently?
5. Is there anything else you would like to tell us that can help to frame your application? Life presents challenges and a student’s potential is not always accurately reflected in grades. We therefore invite you to frame your application in a context that best reflects you. Details given here provide context for each application which can be taken into account during review. Any information provided will be shared only with the supervisor and interview panel. The student will not be asked to expand on this information by the supervisor or panel, but is welcome to discuss it further themselves if they choose.

For any application queries please also contact Prof Carri Westgarth