Gamification of society

The Department of Geography, University of Portsmouth has a position for doctoral (phD) research available for three years (full-time) for a suitably qualified candidate to start in February or October 2015 (UK or EU students only). Applicants are invited to submit a research proposal in the area of ludic – or playful – geographies.

Dr Tara Woodyer (Senior Lecturer in Human Geography) and head of the Geographies of Health, Wellbeing and Lifecourse group (http://www.port.ac.uk/department-of-geography/staff/tara-woodyer.html) is interested in supervising a student in the following research area:

Gamification of society. The twenty-first century has been heralded as the “ludic century” as games and play have become the dominant cultural form of the era. Possible areas of focus could be the playful design of spaces, playful technologies, playful forms of counter-culture politics and activism, or playful ways of building and maintaining community relations. We are particularly interested in qualitative approaches to this research theme, and there are possibilities for the use of video technologies and web authoring.
Staff web pages also provide more information on individual research interests and the specific projects that staff members have recently undertaken http://www.port.ac.uk/department-of-geography/staff/

The department also advertises research themes for Masters projects (MRes Science) – see the pdf for Geography under Course structure at http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/mres-science/

Applicants for the phD programme are expected to have a good first degree (minimum upper second class Honours degree or equivalent) and ideally a Masters (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area. Non-accredited research and skills training is available through the University-wide Graduate School. If you so wish, you may discuss your ideas informally with Dr Tara Woodyer (tel: 02392 842507: e-mail: [Email Address Removed] ) or email [Email Address Removed]. We will also be happy to answer any questions regarding the application process.

All applications should use our standard application forms and follow the instructions given under the ‘Postgraduate Research’ heading on the following webpages:- www.port.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/howtoapply.

Alternatively you may receive a hard copy by contacting the Faculty of Science, Postgraduate Admissions Office, St. Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT. Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5550.

Application Deadline: As appropriate