Understanding and Designing Socially Responsible Digital Technologies (Advert Reference RDF21/MDRT/HDD)

As part of our continued commitment to research excellence, Northumbria University is offering studentships aligned to each of our Multidisciplinary Research Themes (MDRTs).

Digital technologies and the data they acquire can empower people and revolutionise how we live our lives, do our work, and connect with each other. However, as technologies become increasingly data-driven and artificially intelligent they have the potential to cause more harm than good, to disempower and deskill, and to leave certain sectors and populations behind. It’s more critical than ever to understand the relationship between people, technology and design, ensuring people of all ages and at all edges of society live connected, healthy and fulfilling lives, and do so in safety and free from fear.

The Human & Digital Design multidisciplinary research team seeks to ensure that emerging technologies are designed and used in ways that are socially responsible, secure, inclusive and enable everyone in society to thrive. Our team members are situated in psychology, design, computer science, business, law, nursing and occupational health, and bring disciplinary capabilities to address to our areas of interest. We apply these capabilities to three areas of digital: vitality, health and wellbeing; security, privacy and trust; and citizenship and social justice and action.

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic PhD researcher to join our interdisciplinary team. Applicants must demonstrate an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary, collaborative and transformative research. The candidate may apply from any relevant discipline and will be affiliated to an aligned department.

We are open to any proposals which extend our understanding in any of the above areas of interest. If you would like to apply please provide a 1000 word proposal stating your rationale, research question(s)/objectives, suggested approach and expected outcome.

If you wish to apply and would like more information from a specific discipline, please contact the following for more information:

Psychology and Health: lynne.coventry@northumbria.ac.uk

Business and Law: rob.wilson@northumbria.ac.uk

Computer Science: kyle.montague@northumbria.ac.uk

Design: jayne.wallace@northumbria.ac.uk

Eligibility and How to Apply:

Home and International (including EU) students are eligible to apply. The studentship includes a full stipend, paid for three years at RCUK rates (for 2020/21, this is £15,285 pa) and full tuition fees.

Please note eligibility requirement:

• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see:

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference RDF21/MDRT/HDD will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: Friday 29^th January 2021

Start Date: 1^st October 2021

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our students. We welcome applications from all members of the community.