PhD Studentship in Computer Science: Human-Computer Interaction - Rural Computing for Resilient Rural Communities

Award Summary

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

Overview

Interested in understanding how computing and interaction design can better support rural communities? Based in a multidisciplinary HCI lab in partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), this PhD will explore ways to extend and expand the scope of citizen-centred design and innovation from an urban-centric perspective toward rural and coastal communities.

The increased dependence on communications technologies during the Covid-19 pandemic further emphasised that access to connected digital technologies are important to social cohesion and community resilience. However, despite rural communities facing ecological, social, and economic uncertainties, civic technology and ICTs are not designed with the rural in mind.

This studentship may address the following questions:

• How do rural communities use sociodigital infrastructure to engage in civic life?
• What is the potential for civic technology in rural communities to support social resilience?
• How can we develop a sustainable place-based approach to research and innovation with rural communities?

The student will be based in Open Lab in collaboration with NICRE (potentially supported through co-supervision within the NICRE team). The project involves substantial amounts of fieldwork and/or design ethnography working in partnership with community organisations, civic institutions, and sometimes in collaboration industry partners.

You will receive training and gain skills in prototyping, design-led approaches, social research methods, and analytical techniques.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: September 2024

Award duration: 3.5 years

Application Closing Date

28 March 2024

Sponsor

School of Computing

Supervisors

Dr Ian G Johnson

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (Computing, HCI, Design). A Masters qualification in a relevant subject area will be highly advantageous.

Enthusiasm for community research, ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.

Software development experience and/or physical fabrication skills are desirable as the project may involve prototyping and communicating design ideas with partners and collaborators.

The studentship covers home fees. 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

Use Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:  

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

 You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section: 

• ‘Personal Statement’ - upload a document or write a statement directly into the application form.  
• ‘Research Proposal’ - when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal – select either ‘Write Proposal’ or ‘Upload document’.  
• Studentship code COMP2152 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field. 

In the 'Supporting Documentation' section please upload: 

• Your CV

Contact Details

Ian G Johnson

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