Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD studentship in the School of Engineering and Digital Arts at the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
PhD Supervisor: Dr Rocio von Jungenfeld, School of Engineering and Digital Arts
In this project you will investigate how interactive designs can bring media out of portable electronic devices (e.g. screens, headphones) and into the public sphere where they can be shared with others. The work will involve the co-creation and display of content in public learning spaces (e.g. park, garden) and the design of an expanded media experience for public space. The designs should be conceived to enable people to participate in hybrid digital-tangible environments are made of media, projections and interactive things.
The PhD student is expected to: (i) analyse current trends and developments in projection, recording and interaction technologies; (ii) prototype locative, recording, interactive and projection systems; (iii) produced site-specific tests of the designed systems (e.g. alpha/beta tests with groups); and (iv) evaluate the systems in the context of engagement and situated learning (e.g. using sentiment analysis, position tracking, visual ethnography). The student will also participate in the activities of the research group and present at conferences, write technical reports and draft papers for peer-reviewed journals.
The Intelligent Interactions research group at the School of Engineering and Digital Arts has an international reputation for its work in image processing and vision, pattern recognition, interaction design, social, ubiquitous and mobile computing with a range of applications in security and biometrics, healthcare, e-learning, computer games, digital film and animation.
We are looking for an excellent student with a strong first degree and a Master’s degree in digital media, interaction design or related areas. Candidates should ideally have strong software skills, experience with tangible interfaces, media and design.
The successful applicant will be expected to undertake some teaching commensurate with his/her experience.
Funding Details: Funding is available at the current home fee rate of £4,121. There will also be combined maintenance funding of £14,296.
Length of Award: 3 years (PhD)
Start date: September 2017
Eligibility: Open to UK/EU and Overseas applicants.
Enquiries: Any enquiries relating to the project should be directed to Dr Rocio von Jungenfeldr.von-jungenfeld-at-kent.ac.uk
Application: Apply for a PhD online and specify the research topic. A sample of written work required (eg a recent academic essay) should accompany your application.
Deadline: February 5, 2017