Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

CCTS8060423

Department

School of Creative Technologies

Start dates

October 2023

Application deadline

6 April 2023

Applications are invited for a funded PhD to commence in October 2023. 

The PhD will be based in the School of Creative Technologies and will be potentially supervised by Dr Brett Stevens, Dr Peter Howell or Dr Stephen Pearse. 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£17,668 for 2022/23). Bursary recipients will also receive a contribution of £1,500 per annum towards consumables, conference, project or training costs. 

The work on this project could involve:

  •  The range of methodological approaches from Art Practice through to Empirical Scientific approaches.  
  •  A focus on pro-social uses of animation, games, music or XR technology.
  • Development of creative artefacts, for experimentation of exhibition.

The School of Creative Technologies is a vibrant future-facing environment in which highly-motivated research students and staff work at the cutting edge of creative and technological disciplines. We’ve a playful yet serious approach to enabling world-class innovation and research that is underpinned by extraordinary facilities including CCIXR.

We are structured around three interrelated themes: Play, Code, Create; Human Experience Design; and, Sound and Vision. Each of our research areas sits within one of our themes however we actively encourage and promote interdisciplinarity. In the School we have subject specialists in Computer Animation, Computer Games, Creative Computing, Creative Media Technologies, Human Computer Interaction, Interactive Technologies, Music Technology and Virtual and Augmented Reality. Following a successful submission to REF2021 we are now building toward the future and you will have a role to play in this.

This research’s aim will be to investigate an area of use where Creative Technologies can have a significant impact on an aspect of the current challenges facing society. These are exemplified by the UN list of global issues, but may also consider other issues such as wider access to Cultural Heritage.  It’s not expected that this PhD will ‘solve’ the issue, but rather the contributions of the research will be consistent and grounded within one of these social themes.  

The discipline of Creative Technologies, by definition, spans the full range of methodological approaches from Art Practice through to Empirical Scientific approaches.  It would be for the successful applicant to define the methodological approach to their area of interest and research aims, and that would be an area of particular attention when we consider any received application. 

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Experience in the research methodology proposed, as well as technical / practical skills that underpin the research outputs.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Brett Stevens  (Brett.Stevens@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a research proposal outlining your main aim, methodological approach and timescales, along with a personal statement showing how your prior knowledge and skills will integrate into this research programme. 

You will also need proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code CCTS8060423 when applying.