PhD Studentship: Validation of Assistive Product Design Interventions Using Multi-sensory Modalities Measured Through Biometric Measures

The World Health Organization states:

"An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us."

"Health inequities arise from unfair conditions faced by persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities experience ableism, stigma and discrimination in all facets of life, which affects their physical and mental health."
(WHO 2023)

The field of Assistive product design encompasses Assistive Technologies, such as eyeglasses, prostheses and orthoses, wheelchairs, commodes and everyday items such as cutlery.

This study addresses the internal perception of an individual living with a disability towards Assistive products and the external view expressed by communities towards the Assistive products they use.

A better understanding of what makes an Assistive product socially acceptable will enable industrial designers to reframe perceptions and associated semantic meaning of a product to address a major issue of social inequality.

This study follows on from previous PhD studies into perception and semantics. Dr George Torrens has over 30 years experience in the field of Assistive products and design methods, with the research of Dr Stefania Sansoni focusing on perception of prostheses.

A combination of theory relating to cognitive perception, semantic assignment (neuromarketing), models of complex adaptive systems (culture) that drive semiotics, will be evaluated using biometric procedures and equipment, alongside conventional interview and questionnaire research methods.

The outcomes will provide a unique basis for future research within academia or industry.

The School of Design and Creative Arts (SDCA) are community based on mutual support and collaboration. Through our Doctoral College, you will have continual opportunities for building important research skills and networks among your peers and research academics. You will be located within SDCA, which has an exceptional, worldwide track-record for the career development and skills training of design-related researchers.

Funding Details

Funding Minimum

UK tuition fee: £4,712 full-time degree per annum

Funding Maximum

International fee: £26,000 full-time degree per annum