PhD Studentship in Computer Science: Human-Computer Interaction/Interaction Design – Digital Technologies for Social Justice and Transformative Futures

Award Summary

100% Home fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance £18,622 (2023-24 UKRI rate)

Overview

Interested in social change? This PhD will explore how design and digital technologies can contribute to social justice endeavours and transformative futures.  

The PhD will contribute to research in social justice-oriented design and transformative innovations by exploring how participatory methodologies and new socio-technical capabilities can be harnessed to usher more just and equitable futures.  

The ubiquitous introduction of new and emergent technologies is bringing significant changes to societies. Yet, these digital innovations can simply replicate unjust systems, exacerbate inequalities and social divisions, in contexts of increasing socio-economic uncertainty, ecological crisis, and political instability. Instead, designing for transformative futures seek to contribute to systems change towards equitable and sustainable living. 

The candidate will establish collaborations with relevant stakeholders and communities and utilise participatory approaches to imagine, co-create and rapid prototype socio-technical innovations to support social justice endeavours and transformative futures in relevant domains.  

This PhD will be shaped by the candidate’s own interests and experience. The candidate will define their own approaches and contexts in dialogue with the supervisory team.  

Topics of exploration could include;  

• Futuring transformative innovations: how speculative co-design, community-led digital social innovations and digital systems can support participatory prototyping of pathways to just transitions and social justice;  
• Collective intelligence: how data and intelligent systems can be harnessed to support social justice endeavours and democratic practices;  

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2024

Award Duration

3.5 years

Application Closing Date

31 May 2024

Sponsor

School of Computing

Supervisors

Clara Crivellaro

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree in or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project e.g. Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction or Computer Science.

The applicant should be confident with Interaction Design and Human-Computer Interaction as a discipline and willing to explore participatory process and co-creative methods. Excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. 

Experience in participatory design, speculative design and foresight, prototyping physical computing and digital systems desirable.

The studentship covers home fees (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants are welcome to apply but will be required to cover the difference between Home and International fees. 

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subsection. International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How To Apply

Application Portal  

‘Create a Postgraduate Application’. 

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify programme of study: 

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using programme code: 8050F 
• Research Area: Computing Science  
• Select PhD Computer Science as programme of study  

Provide the following in ‘Further Details’: 

• ‘Personal Statement’ - upload statement directly into application form 
• When prompted - select ‘Write Proposal’. Use title of project from this advert. No research proposal is needed. 
• Studentship code COMP2160 in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field 

Supporting Documentation’ section upload:  

• CV 
• Degree transcripts/certificates and, if English is not your first language, copy of your English language qualification if already completed. 

Contact Details

Clara Crivellaro