The market of technological gadgets for companion animals (e.g., cats and dogs) has exploded in size over the past decade. An ever-growing number of IoT devices have resulted in a poorly understood “Internet of Pets” (IoP), doing anything from entertaining dogs left home alone, to informing humans how to be better caregivers. Significant research has been done how these devices ought to be engineered—covered especially by the disciplines of Requirements Engineering (RE) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Its impact is evidenced by the rise of Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) as an individual field, and broader acceptance of research priorities on more than human engineering within HCI and RE.
However, the market has outpaced research as demand for new technologies has led to rapid development of new devices, widespread adoption by consumers, and even integration into core IoT offerings of major telecom providers. Research must now also engage with, and regulate, IoP technology already available, rather than study a priori how to engineer new technology. Thus far this has been focused on one type of device in the IoP: wearables. However, the IoP covers far more diverse technologies already affecting animals, people, and society. From smart toys and feeders, to telemedicine and telepresence, we need to understand how these potentially under-engineered devices affect the very real animals and humans they serve.
This studentship sits squarely within NorSC and not only aligns with, but challenges and extends Northumbria’s strategy for (more than) human digital design; with NORTH Lab providing the glue between NorSC lab’s computer science expertise and needed interdisciplinary insights from psychology and critical design. It will expand NorSC’s capacity to conduct leading ACI research (currently consisting of Dr. van der Linden, Prof. Lawson, and Kliman-Silver) and provide a strong voice towards steering the IoP and more than human engineering discussions across different disciplines. It will do so through three key objectives:
1. Creating an evolving taxonomy of the IoP, by investigating:
a. The types of technologies on the market,
b. what interactions they intend to enable, &
c. what benefits they intend to have.
2. Studying how the IoP affects animals, people, and society, by investigating:
a. How and why people acquire these technologies,
b. what interactions they actually enable, &
c. what (dis)benefits they actually have.
3. Proposing how to steer consumer adoption of the IoP, by investigating:
a. how (dis)benefits and actual interactions can be mitigated and communicated, &
b. whether their (dis)benefits are significant under relevant law (e.g., AWA 2006)
The project will include HCI and RE engineering design research, empirical user studies, and critical analysis. A guiding principle will be strong interdisciplinary focus on lived experience, studying experiences of the IoP through a bottom-up approach, with no preconceived bias to what may be desirable, and critically including animal experiences through collaboration with Animal Behaviour and Veterinary Scientists. It is expected to result in a critical evolving taxonomy contrasting promised benefits of technology to actual (dis)benefits and provide key insight to steer the future engineering of the IoP.
The principal supervisor for this project is Dr. Dirk van der Linden.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
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 (e.g. RDF21/EE/CIS/VANDERLINDENDirk) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: 29 January 2021
Start Date: 1 October 2021
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.
