<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.3790.4470" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY style="MARGIN: 4px 4px 1px; FONT: 10pt Segoe UI">
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">UNIVERSITY</SPAN></B></st1:PlaceType><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> OF <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">CENTRAL LANCASHIRE</st1:PlaceName></SPAN></B></st1:place><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR SIGN LANGUAGES AND DEAF STUDIES (iSLanDS)</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Reference No RS/08/54</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT size=3><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">ARNOUX PART-TIME PHD BURSARY:</B> </FONT><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Literacy acquisition through sign language in a distance learning environment </SPAN></STRONG><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Applications are invited for a part-time MPhil/PhD tuition fee bursary in the International Centre for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies (iSLanDS). The iSLanDS Centre is a unique hub for the study of sign languages and deaf communities around the world, with the majority of our work focusing on developing countries. Virtually all our staff and students are Deaf sign language users, and they come from countries such as <st1:country-region w:st="on">Turkey</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Uganda</st1:country-region></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The bursary is tenable for up to 6 years (subject to satisfactory progress) with an expected commencement date of 1 October 2009.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The bursary will cover the cost of tuition fees at UK/EU rates plus project consumables. International applicants may apply but will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and International fees. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">We welcome applications to undertake the following project:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Literacy acquisition through sign language in a distance learning environment <o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This project studies the literacy acquisition of deaf sign language users, using a bilingual approach where English literacy is taught through sign language. Several field sites with developing learner communities are available to this project in South Asia and <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>. We will conduct a large-scale study with a multiply diverse student population, where we investigate the progress of learners accessing distance and online learning materials, peer tutoring and specialised training at the various field sites.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Research questions for this project are:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: left; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto" align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What are the characteristics of the learner varieties of English in the target group?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: left; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto" align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What is the kind and extent of linguistic interference from sign language structures on written English output in these learners?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: left; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto" align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What is the best balance between online/distance learning and face-to-face interaction in situations with severe shortages of trained teachers?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: left; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto" align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What are the technological limits in developing countries for online and distance learning involving video-based materials?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: left; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto" align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What relevant variables determine learning experiences and outcomes in these learning situations?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Applicants should have the following profile:</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Interest in the research topic, strong communication skills including sign language skills, and the ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">EITHER: An upper second class or first class honours degree or an MA in a relevant discipline, or equivalent portfolio of evidence<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">OR: For candidates without these qualifications, </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">academic ability to complete a research preparatory course</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> between October and December 2009, which must be passed successfully in order to progress to the MPhil/PhD programme in January 2010. Applicants will be individually assessed.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For a complete list of essential and desirable criteria, see details on this web page (scroll down to project number RS0854):<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A href="http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/research/research_degrees/studentships.php#Arnoux_Part-time_PhD_Bursary_Scheme">http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/research/research_degrees/studentships.php#Arnoux_Part-time_PhD_Bursary_Scheme</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For further information about the iSLanDS Centre, please see <A href="http://www.uclan.ac.uk/islands">http://www.uclan.ac.uk/islands</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Informal enquiries about the project may be directed to Prof. Ulrike Zeshan tel:+44 (0)1772 891304, fax +44 (0)1772 894933, SMS +44 (0)7772487941, or email <A href="mailto:uzeshan@uclan.ac.uk">uzeshan@uclan.ac.uk</A> ).</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Requests for an application pack (quoting the project reference number RS/08/54) should be directed to the Graduate Research Office. Tel +44 (0)1772 894287 or e-mail <A href="mailto:researchdegrees@uclan.ac.uk">researchdegrees@uclan.ac.uk</A><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> <o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Closing date: Monday 6 July 2009</SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<DIV>Prof. Ulrike Zeshan<BR>Director, International Centre for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies<BR>Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences<BR>Livesey House, LH212<BR>University of Central Lancashire<BR>Preston PR12HE, UK<BR>uzeshan@uclan.ac.uk<BR>Ph. +44-1772-893104</DIV>
<DIV>Fax +44-1772-894933<BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>