Come and join us in projects with industry partners in the games and creative industries!
Research in games at Brunel covers a wide spectrum of theoretical and practical areas; the relation between video games and other media; video game aesthetics and politics; immersive technologies and game design, game-based learning, serious games, ludomusicology, inclusive games design, agency in games, games and socio-cultural studies.
As our PhD student, your research will extend your knowledge, implement the skills you learn in your research into real world contexts, and extend your teamwork and management skills, while enriching your portfolio.
You can also join one of our research groups:
- Applied games and gaming research
Conduct games-focused and games-driven interdisciplinary analysis, research, outreach, and socially impactful projects in all areas of digital and traditional play and gaming, including immersive technologies, applied and gamified solutions for social inclusivity, and citizen science and crowdsourcing projects.
- Interactive Multimedia Systems
Undertake a range of research activities focused around building sensor- and media-rich, cross-layer, inclusive e-systems. Join expert computer scientists (academics and fellow research students) with interests in Human-Machine Interaction, Sensorial-based Interfaces, Data Visualisation and Multimedia.
- Brunel Software Engineering Lab
This is the place for you if you want to promote all aspects of empirical and formal investigations of software artefacts, whether code, repositories formal models or human aspects in an academic and industrial setting. Software Engineering research at Brunel University London is focused on methods related to designing, developing, maintaining, and testing real-world software systems
Explore the extensive use of avatars, from fantasy digital games to the promises of the Metaverse, and question the established theories of how we engage each other in politics and society. By exploring further boundaries of novelty that accompany technological and digital living, you can help us inform policy and development frameworks.
- Intelligent Digital Economy and Society
Deep dive into an intelligent digital economy and society using AI, data analytics, 6G, media, human-machine interaction, digital games, augmented and virtual reality, digital twins, IoTs, cyber security, data & information fusion.
Research journey
A PhD programme is expected to take 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, with intakes starting in January, April or October.
Find out how to apply for a PhD at Brunel
Research support
Excellent research support and training
The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. Library services
Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m.
Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.
Find out more: Brunel Library
Careers support
You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.
How to apply?
As a doctoral researcher, you will be welcomed to Brunel as valued members of our thriving, research-intensive community. Browse PhD opportunities, studentship, and learn more about our research by visiting our website.
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