Socio-Digital Interaction/ Interaction Design: Digital Break-Up, Separation & Divorce

Applications are invited for a fully funded EPSRC PhD studentship in Socio-Digital Interaction/ Interaction Design at the University of Dundee, within Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. The successful applicant will join a growing interdisciplinary research group with backgrounds in Computing and Design, with a strong international research track record. The successful applicant will be supervised by Dr Wendy Moncur (http://bit.ly/1jkR9UG), together with Dr Elise van den Hoven, University of Technology Sydney, Australia (http://bit.ly/1ohy98S) as part of the supervisory team.

Project

What happens to a couple’s digital content (for example, photos, emails, videos, blogs, social media posts) when they break up? This project will examine what happens to the digital content that serves as memory cues, and to online representations of one’s self, when a long-term relationship ends through separation or divorce.

Separation and divorce prompt a process of reassessment and reframing of an individual’s autobiographical memories and identity. This process plays an important role in safeguarding mental and physical wellbeing. Investigation of the digital dimension of this reassessment and reframing process will deliver unique insights into behaviours around the management of digital materials, and generate innovative new mechanisms for their curation.

Criteria and Eligibility

Applicants should have a first class degree or good 2:1 and/or a Masters or equivalent experience in Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction or a related area. The ability to employ a range of fieldwork techniques to inform the design of novel interfaces is desired. The ability to develop functional digital prototypes is essential.

The award is open to eligible UK/EU nationals and will cover fees and a stipend of approximately £13,863 per annum for 42 months. Full information on eligibility criteria for this scholarship can be found on the RCUK web site: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/RCUK-prod/assets/documents/documents/TermsConditionsTrainingGrants.pdf

Following interview the successful applicant will also need to apply and meet the University of Dundee’s entry requirements for PhD study.

Application and Further Details

The deadline for applications is 15th August 2014. The PhD is expected to commence in October / November 2014.
Applicants should submit a CV and a two-page statement describing their interest in pursuing a PhD and their experience as it relates to the topic in the first instance to:
Fiona Fyffe, Postgraduate Administrator, DJCAD. [Email Address Removed]

Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Wendy Moncur [Email Address Removed]

Further details and information on the studentship can be found on the University of Dundee website: http://uod.ac.uk/djcad-studentships