An IoT-based platform to support Just-in-time adaptive interventions for high-performance sport leaders

The Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.

PhD Research Topic

Recently, sport research has witnessed an exponential growth, highlighting the formidable challenges faced by sports leaders like coaches and support staff in managing persistent stress. Research shows that leaders operating in professional sport suffer from burnout and often resign prematurely as a result. Given their pivotal role in driving organisational gains, it is crucial to ensure these sports leaders can effectively manage their wellbeing and consistently perform at optimum level, paving the way towards a future where excellence knows no bounds.

While it is well-known that elite sport professions induce stress, yet tailored interventions to support their wellbeing and performance remain elusive. The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) is a recently adopted approach in sport to assess psychological stress and burnout. It entails collecting behavioural data through personal digital assistants and online surveys to analyse and assess mental stress. However, ESM has limitations, including timely participation, correlating data, secure storage and the costs associated with hardware, among others. Consequently, this prompts the need for a digital support platform - a beacon of real-time data collection, analysis, and monitoring of individual sports leaders’ behavioural data, akin to IoT/smart applications.

This multidisciplinary project aims to build a cutting-edge platform together with mobile applications and intelligent IoT services, to monitor stress and wellbeing, offering support to identify and intervene to deal with poor wellbeing of elite sports leaders. This project will be based in the department of computing in collaboration with the Sport and Human Performance group (SHP) and the UK Sports Institute, promising an immersive journey. The successful candidate will gain a deep understanding of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sport psychology.

Eligibility

Applicants should hold at least a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree in Computing or a related discipline. An MSc qualification in a related area is desirable. We welcome applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.

International candidates are required to provide an IELTS certificate with a score of at least 7.0 overall, and a minimum of 6.5 in all components. For further information on English Language requirements, please click here.

For further details on entry requirements, please click here.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted using the online application form. To apply, click here. In your application, be sure to include the title of the project that you are applying for.

As part of your application, please upload:

• A research proposal (max. 1500 words) in your own words, briefly outlining the proposed research, the current knowledge and context referencing key background literature; a proposed methodology or approach to answer the key questions, and any potential significance or impact of the research
• Copy of your highest degree certificate
• Non-UK applicants must submit IELTs results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years and a copy of their passport. 

Applicants must provide 2 references, with at least one to be academic. References must be received directly from the referees.

We strongly recommend you contact the lead academic, Aslam Jarwar a.jarwar@shu.ac.uk, to discuss your application.

For information on how to apply please visit https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees