Adoption of Proprietary Home and Community Automation Technologies in Support of Ageing-In-Place

This PhD study will investigate the adoption of proprietary automation technologies used in the home or in the community by people affected by dementia.

Technology has the potential to impact significantly on the health and well-being of people affected by dementia not least in reducing social isolation and opening up opportunities for engaging in life, learning and leisure.

If everyday technology is made available rather than technology specifically designed for people living with dementia, then people will be more likely to use it as they will feel it is part of normal life rather than drawing attention to their condition and therefore being potentially stigmatising or embarrassing.

Potential areas of investigation are:

• Automation and assistance of everyday tasks.
• Cognitive support to address confusion and assist in memory recall, thinking and planning.
• Adapting the environment to account for behavioural and mood changes.
• The use of automation to support physical activity and/or health and well-being

Application Process

To begin the application process please go to: https://www.worc.ac.uk/courses/dementia-studies-mphilphd and click on ‘How to Apply’ in the top menu. This PhD could be carried out on a part time or full time basis so please select the relevant application link. On the application form, please make it clear that you are applying for one of our advertised projects so we can direct it straight to the relevant people.

The Interview

All successful applicants will be offered an interview with the proposed Supervisory Team. You will be contacted by a member of the Doctoral School Team to find a suitable date. Interviews can be conducted in person or over Microsoft Teams.

Funding your PhD

For more information about Doctoral Loans please visit: https://www.worc.ac.uk/study/fees-and-finance/doctoral-loans.aspx

During your PhD you can access the Research Student Support Scheme to support dissemination costs associated with your research, up to £500 a year.

Related Research Groups

Association for Dementia Studies

The Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) was established in 2009. Our multi-professional team are experts in the field of person-centred dementia care and support. Through research, education, consultancy and scholarship, we make a cutting-edge contribution to building evidence-based practical ways of working with people living with dementia and their families that enables them to live well. We have an outstanding track record over a wide portfolio of dementia-related research. We draw on the international evidence-base to deliver education programmes, resources and publications that empower staff to provide skilled, competent and compassionate care. People with dementia, their families and their carers inform our work at all stages.

Digital Innovation and Intelligent Systems Research Group

The Digital Innovation Research Group is focussed on the application of intelligent systems to real world problems. This incorporates the design, creation and research of technological systems that dynamically respond to the world around them to address practical issues in a wide variety of applied domains. It incorporates computational approaches such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Modelling and Simulation, Data Mining and Pattern Recognition.

Intelligent Systems are becoming more important in everyday life as their use expands and adoption increases. With this expansion comes many key challenges that must be addressed as new application areas are found.

Uncertain - The real-world is often complex and messy resulting in noisy and inaccurate data.

Dynamic - The real-world is ever-changing resulting in a highly dynamic environment.

Computationally challenging - Some of the task’s humans find easy to performance are computationally very difficult for a computer such as learning and interaction. Yet we required small compact devices to performance this on a regular basis such as mobile devices performing face-recognition.

Widening Participation

As part of its mission statement the University is committed to widening participation for its higher degrees. Although most candidates will have an undergraduate and / or a Masters degree, the University is happy to accept applications from candidates with relevant professional qualifications and work related experience.

Supervisory Team

Dr Chris Bowers, Dr Chris Russell, External Supervisor TBA

Director of Studies

Dr Chris Bowers, Digital Innovation and Intelligent Systems Research Group, University of Worcester

Supervisors

Dr Chris Russell, Association for Dementia Studies School of Allied Health and Community University of Worcester

Research Group: Association for Dementia Studies

For further information or an informal discussion on this project, please contact Dr Chris Bowers (Director of Studies) via email at c.bowers@worc.ac.uk