About the Project
Applications are invited for a MRes studentship funded by the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS 2) scheme intended to start in October 2017. The project will be based in the Faculty of Art and Design, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Swansea Campus) and the Cerebra Innovation Centre, Swansea.
The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC) team provide a bespoke product design service for the members of the charity. Many of the products designed and manufactured by the small team of designers and engineers, serve as daily living aids. These include products to enable mobility around the home and school, products to enhance and enable play, aiding interaction and inclusion with peers and family. The team has even designed and manufactured adaptive sledges to enable transportation in snow and enhance sensory play.
The successful candidate will research and develop a repeatable process for the manufacture of bespoke sports helmets. The project is based on a pilot study carried out by CIC in 2015/16 in which one single helmet was made and successfully tested by the British Standards Institution to BS VG1. The proposition is to further develop the concept to enable a small scale repeatable process by which children with unique head shapes, who cannot find sports helmets to adequately protect them, can be supplied with a bespoke helmet.
The research will encompass many areas of established and emerging technology.
Methodologies / approaches / techniques to be used in the project will include:
Literature and contextual review
Iterative development of a process for remote data gathering using photogrammetry
Feedback questionnaires and interviews
The following work will be undertaken within the proposed project:
Assessment of existing photogrammetry technologies and platforms
Developing approaches to optimise the application of photogrammetry within the specific scenario of its use by parents/carers of children with unique head shapes
Comparing the accuracy of data gathered in this scenario with data gathered by ‘experts’ using photogrammetry and high-end industry scanning technologies
Using existing psychometrically robust measurement tools to evaluate quality of life related impacts of the riding helmets produced
Funded by KESS 2. This studentship consists of full UK/EU tuition fees at UK/EU rate, as well as a tax-free Stipend of £11,472.
The scholarship has an additional budget for travel, equipment/consumables and training to support your research.
KESS 2 MRes Scholarship holders do not pay fees.
Length: Full-time for 18 months. (Theses must be submitted 6 months after the funded study period).
Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS scholar (The PSDA is based on a 30-credit award, which is an additional award to the MRes).
Selection Criteria:
Essential:
Hold at least a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in Product Design or similar discipline
Have relevant field experience in studying design and manufacturing practices
A willingness to engage with all stakeholders to develop, prototype and test new methods, models and processes
Have skills and experience in modelling using 3D CAD software
Have demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills
Competence in using appropriate software and platforms
Have an interest in design and manufacturing
Have good model making and workshop skills to include finishing and physical prototyping methods
Have good attention to detail
Have initiative, self-motivation, and ability to effectively manage own time and undertake independent research activity
Excellent inter-personal skills with ability and commitment to work effectively as part of a collaborative team
Desired:
Have experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team as well as working with industry/business
Have an interest in design for health, wellbeing and social inclusion
Eligibility
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
Have a home/work address in a Convergence area of Wales (CAW)* at the time of entry into the programme;
Have the right to take up paid work in the Convergence area of Wales* on completion of the scholarship;
*Convergence area covers West Wales and the Valleys – 15 local authorities: Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen.
A completed application form should be submitted to Dr Matt Briggs [Email Address Removed] by midnight 30 July 2017. Hard copy may be sent to
Dr Matt Briggs
Research, Innovation and Enterprise Services
University of Wales, Trinity Saint David
Mount Pleasant Campus
Swansea
SA1 6ED
Please download the KESS 2 Participant Application Form on the UWTSD website here
http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/rdp/funding-and-projects/kess-ii/
To discuss the project please contact: Dr Ross Head [Email Address Removed]
To discuss the application process or funding please contact: Dr Matt Briggs [Email Address Removed]
http://kess2.ac.uk/uwtsd01/
Funding Notes
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
Due to ESF funding, eligibility restrictions apply to this scholarship. To be eligible, the successful candidate will need to be resident in the Convergence Area of Wales on University registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification.
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