President of the Federation of Occupational Health Nurses Julie Staun starts PhD studies
The President of the Federation of Occupational Health Nurses in the European Union has joined the University of Cumbria as a PhD student.
Julie Staun, elected to her current position, is a well known and respected international figure in the world of occupational health nursing and has served on many European Union committees and working groups, she has also been influential in helping to establish occupational health nurse education and training in many countries. Her research interests focus on empowerment of blue collar workers in the health arena, effects of shift work and she practices as an occupational health nurse manager in Denmark.
Dr Stuart Whitaker is Senior Lecturer in Occupational Health at the University of Cumbria. He explains:
“I think it’s a coup for the university to have someone of Julie’s prestige studying with us and choosing us. Julie is very active within the European Union at Commission level and to have someone like that studying with us is wonderful. It also presents some tremendous opportunities for our students; she has already done a presentation for them to make them aware of the work going on at a European level, which they have really enjoyed. I’m looking forward to this cross-association over the coming years.”
Julie said:
“I have discussed the possibility of studying for a PhD with Stuart for years, even prior to his time at the University of Cumbria. Recently, my company agreed to sponsor me to do this so I contacted Stuart and he recommended that I study at here.”
Julie’s PhD will be a four year research project focused on the factors that contribute to change for blue collar workers in industry related to their health and working conditions. It will also look what promotes that change and what acts as a barrier to it and what the perceptions of managers and workers of that change are. It’s hoped that the research will help to improve working lives and working conditions.
If you’re interested in postgraduate study at the University of Cumbria, please visit the website at www.cumbria.ac.uk/courses| or call 0845 850 0760.