Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre

School Readiness Project: PhD scholarships available

Contribute to important research for children with cerebral palsy helping them participate in their schooling and education, analysing their gross motor performance psychology and nutrition.

Multiple PhD research opportunities exist in the areas of educational and developmental psychology, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nutrition, focusing on the early childhood outcomes of children at high risk of Cerebral Palsy. 

The large cohort of children (n>500) were originally recruited into clinical trials of Neuro-protection (Protect Me an RCT or Melatonin CIA Dr Kerstin Palmer), and four early Neuro-rehabilitation trials (REACH RCT for infant hemiplegia CIA Prof Ros Boyd), (GAME RCT early intervention to optimize neuroplasticity CIs Prof Iona Novak, DR Cathy Morgan), (Early PACT RCT of Early Parenting with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy CIA Dr Koa Whittingham) and are now being followed up at 4-5 years on School Readiness Outcomes. 

The Category 1 scholarship would be enrolled at the University of Queensland with a UQ primary supervisor and can have co-supervisors at other sites.  The sites include: the Queensland Cerebral Palsy Research Centre at the Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; The Monash Medical Centre, Monash University and The Cerebral Palsy Alliance at the University of Sydney. 

The University of Queensland is one of Australia’s most research-intensive academic institutions and consistently included in the world’s top 50 universities across several independent major rankings. The project focuses on assessing school readiness outcomes in a cohort of children at high risk of Cerebral Palsy, including Cognition, Communication, Behaviour, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Gross and Fine motor development, and the parent-child relationship.

Information on available scholarships

Potential candidates will have a strong interest in research in any of the following areas:
  • Cognition, Executive Funcation outcomes and School Readiness: Educational and developmental psychology, clinical psychology and/or neuropsychology along with a First-Class Honours Degree in Psychology/Psychological Sciences. Preference will be given to candidates who are either provisionally or fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. (CIs A/Prof Sam Bora, Dr Koa Whittingham)
  • Dietary intake and School Readiness outcomes in CP: This research opportunity focuses on validating measures of energy intake and dietary quality in children with CP, and investigating the association between nutrition outcomes and school readiness for children with CP. They would undertake measurement of energy intake via weighed food records and total energy expenditure via doubly labelled water in a sub-group of the children participating in the School Readiness Project. This PhD project would be suitable for a dietitian/ nutritionist with an interest in lab- based science. (CIs Dr Kristie Bell, Dr Stina Oftedal).
  • Development of Hand function and School Readiness in CP: The PhD will combine existing data from these previous research projects together hand function of children with cerebral palsy over the period of the child’s first 5 years and relate this to School Readiness outcomes at 4-5 years. Developing a deep understanding for the measures used to assess hand function will be integral to the study. (CIs Dr Andrea Burgess, A/Prof Leanne Sakzewski, Prof Ros Boyd).
  • Development of a gross motor performance measure for children with cerebral palsy.

These PhD opportunities focus on development of an observational, performance-based measure of gross motor skills for children with CP which using a semi-structured play session. This would involve undertaking a clinimetric review of current measures. Steps in the development process include identification of observable actions, developing items, scaling of items (reflecting quality of performance), scoring a sample of children with the measure and making preliminary evaluation of the validity of the scores using a Rasch measurement model.  (CIs Dr Andrea Burgess, Prof Ros Boyd, A/Prof Leanne Sakzewski).

Preferred candidates would have the following:
  • For Study 1: a working knowledge of developmental, clinical and/or neuropsychology as it relates to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and/or school readiness would be beneficial to someone working on this project. Further, competency in administering standardized psychological test batteries such as the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence is an added advantage.
  • For Study 2: a working knowledge of Diet and Nutrition in children would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
  • For Study 3: a working knowledge of early hand skill development would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
  • For Study 4: a working knowledge of early motor development would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of (i) developmental, clinical and/or neuropsychology (ii) Diet and Nutrition (iii) Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of neurodevelopmental disabilities and/or school readiness along with some experience in administering standardised tests to preschool or early-school aged children is highly desirable.

Supervisory Team