Making Motion Tangible: embodied & critical research at the human-machine interface

Eligibility: UK/EU/International graduates with the required entry requirements

Funding details: Bursary plus tuition fees (UK/International (including EU at international rates from Sept 21)

Duration: Full-time – between three and three and a half years fixed term

Application deadline: 25 October 2023

Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates

Start date: January 2024

For further details contact: Scott deLahunta

Introduction

This PhD project is part of the Cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. The successful applicant will spend the 1st year at Coventry University and the following year at Deakin University, and then the final 1.5 years at Coventry University. The supervision team will be drawn from the two Universities.

A key focal point of research for many industry sectors, including health, entertainment and manufacturing, is how dynamic interaction between the physical and virtual world can take full advantage of the sophistication of human activity. Immersive multimodal haptics, primarily relying on the human senses of touch and motion, form a core part of this research. Driven by the development of the technology with specific industry uses in mind, this research currently lacks adequate experimentation and exploration on the human activity side of the interaction paradigm. 'Making Motion Tangible' seeks to address this gap in part by engaging with the embodied knowledge found in skilful bodily practices such as dance, somatic bodywork and in some cases crafts. Such practices also facilitate critical questions around accessibility, gender and ethics which need fuller consideration in the design and development of human-computer interaction.

'Making Motion Tangible' aims to engage two researchers, one hosted at the Deakin Motion Lab, Deakin University and one hosted by the Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University, to develop complementary research strands. Both strands will explore the application of embodied knowledge and experience in the context of practical experimentation with novel immersive multimodal haptic interfaces aimed at enriching human interactions between the digital and the physical. Prospective candidates should have a background in HCI, media studies, serious games and/or other digital research (including accessible and health-tech) interested in full body movement or embodied design principles.

The primary novel interfaces to be used are several Teslasuits (https://teslasuit.io/) available at the Deakin Motion Lab that can be used in combination with Virtual Reality devices. This means that the research which begins at Coventry will first establish a theoretical/ reflexive base of understanding involving before encountering these novel interfaces in their second year. The study that starts at Deakin will immediately begin to practically explore these interfaces in the first year, followed by the second year at Coventry engaging in a period of analysis and reflection. In the third and final year, both researchers will be supported in comparing and contrasting findings. Both research trajectories will involve the study and integration of embodied and computational knowledge throughout, albeit on different complementary pathways. The core supervisory teams at Deakin and Coventry are well-positioned to support this learning approach from which both researchers and organisations can expect to benefit. Deakin and Coventry have active immersive media industry connections and once selections are made a third specialist supervisor will be brought on to support these links.

Project details

The ‘Making Motion Tangible' Cotutelle project will engage two researchers, one hosted at the Deakin Motion Lab, Deakin University and one hosted by the Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University, to develop complementary research strands. The aim is to investigate the application of embodied knowledge found in skilful bodily practices such as dance in the context of practical experimentation with novel immersive multimodal haptic interfaces. The development of this interactive technology is a key focal point of research for many industry sectors including health, entertainment and manufacturing. These sectors are seeking to take full advantage of the sophistication of human activity, but this research currently lacks adequate experimentation on the human activity side of the interaction paradigm. By approaching this through the lens of embodied knowledge and skilful bodily practices, this Cotutelle project aims at enriching interactions between the physical and virtual world. A central objective of this project will be to fully engage with critical questions around accessibility, gender and ethics which need fuller consideration in the design and development of human-computer interaction. Prospective candidates should have a background in HCI, media studies, serious games and/ or other digital research interested in full body movement or embodied design principles.

Funding

In addition to tuition fees and a stipend for 3.5 years, there is a £15,000 bursary.

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet the admission and scholarship criteria for both Coventry University and Deakin University for entry to the cotutelle programme.
This includes;

Applicants should have graduated within the top 15% of their undergraduate cohort. This might include a high 2:1 in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark (80% for Australian graduates) in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average (80% for Australian graduates).
A Masters degree in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum Merit level. In addition, the mark for the Masters dissertation (or equivalent) must be a minimum of 80%. Please note that where a candidate has 70-79% and can provide evidence of research experience to meet equivalency to the minimum first-class honours equivalent (80%+) additional evidence can be submitted and may include independently peer-reviewed publications, research-related awards or prizes and/or professional reports.
Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study.

For an overview of each university’s entry requirements please visit:
Cotutelle PhD Programmes and Research degree entry pathways.

Please note that it is essential that applicants confirm that they are able to physically locate to both Coventry University (England) and Deakin University (Australia)

How to apply

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

Please note that applications must be made to both universities.

Apply to Coventry University Apply to Deakin University