Studentship & funding

Project Topic: Building Emergency: Between the Housing Crisis and Climate Crisis in the UK – CLOSED

Description: The dual challenges of the housing and climate crises require meaningful action; they are challenges that need to be understood as socially, politically and materially connected. While metropolitan centres are saturated by financialized urban development, causing precarity and displacement of households and communities, rural and suburban locations are dominated by a single development model of owner-occupied housing, often poorly constructed. The status quo of the construction, running and maintenance of housing in the UK, is at once a key driver of both climate change and social inequality.  The School of Architecture and Design invites proposals for contemporary, historical, theoretical and/or practice-based doctoral research that responds to these intersecting issues. Proposals could include, but are not limited to: 

• Alternative forms of housing development and models of ownership (CLTs, Cooperative Housing, Shared Tenancies etc.): 
• Do It Yourself, self-build, dweller-control and the self-provisioning of housing;  
• Exploring and challenging housing ‘standards’ (such as changing lifestyles and ‘non-standard’ social groups, building regulations, planning policy and housing targets). 
• Housing precarity, struggles and activism, squatting, environmental protest. 
• The re-municipalisation of housing including current opportunities for Local Authorities, ecological public housing, rent reform, a recent history of social housing in relation to climate, the impacts of right-to-buy and recent demand-led strategies.  
• Degrowth/ Postgrowth social and economic strategies for housing; Housing and a Green New Deal 
• The relevance of UK Housing Histories for climate responses   
• Social and cultural perspectives on technologies for housing in relation to the climate crisis such as energy (embodied and in-use), thermal performance, renewable energy, water consumption, bio-diversity and landscape. 
• Critical and speculative approaches to reimagining housing  

Proposals that take a written route, by design or by creative methods are invited. While proposals should be based in, and investigate housing in the UK, proposals that offer international comparison or contextualisation are also welcomed.  While we expect applicants to have a background in architecture and/or design, we welcome candidates from different relevant backgrounds and disciplines.

Contact: ktrogal@ucreative.ac.uk

Project Topic: Intangible Cultural Heritage in Contemporary British Craft – CLOSED

Description: This studentship is based at the Crafts Study Centre (CSC) and explores the definitions, relevance and future of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) within the context of contemporary British craft. The UK Government in late 2024 signified its intention to ratify the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003, and has launched a public consultation (see: http://tinyurl.com/2ebfv32y). In conjunction with this recent legislative shift, we encourage students to examine concepts of tradition, innovation, and the methods of supporting the preservation of skilled making.

This studentship encourages critical reception of existing examples of ICH, from case studies underpinned by the UNESCO statute, India’s Geographical Indications of Goods Act of 1999, and Japan’s well-known Living National Treasure programme. From this global context, the student would be expected to address ICH in a UK craft context, either past and present (or both).

As a rich collection of archives and objects from some of the twentieth and twenty-first century most skilled craftspeople, the CSC offers the candidate an ideal resource to explore questions of ICH. Moreover, the Centre’s links to heritage organisations, most notably the Heritage Crafts Association and the Crafts Council, provide a vehicle through which findings could be disseminated. The applicant should have received BA and MA qualifications in history, art history, heritage studies, cultural studies, museum studies, design history, or other disciplines within the arts and humanities. In addition, makers with a track record of research, who have also been educated to MA-level would be welcome. The studentship is open to practice-based research: a skilled maker exploring ICH from the perspective of their craft could provide unique insights and original contributions in this field.

Contact: stephen.knott@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Metaverse Live Events and Gamified Music Experiences – CLOSED

Description: This studentship focuses on the innovative intersection of metaverse live events and gamified music experiences, integrating these into gaming/metaverse platforms. This transdisciplinary field combines elements of game design (Ludology), live event production, and digital creativity, fostering a unique blend of technical and artistic expertise.  The student will work across artistic and technical mediums to develop innovative responses that explore the new artistic and technical possibilities that arise from converging live events with game environments.

This PhD aligns with creative technologies companies Copper Candle (live events in the metaverse) and Target 3D (virtual production and performance capture).  Both these companies have existing relationships with UCA (research funding partnerships and technical provision) and this PhD will both strengthen and deepen those relationships.  Desk Space has been offered at Target3D studios (2 days a week) where the student would also have access to facilities and training in commercial virtual production, motion capture and volumetric capture tools as well as on-site experience on their live projects.  The student will have access to ongoing projects at Copper Candle (national and international) where relevant to their study, and Copper Candle will also offer R&D support.  James Simpson (Copper Candle) and Allan Rankin (Target 3D) would be part of the supervisory team as special industry advisors.

Applicants for this PhD should have a background in a relevant area of games/creative technologies, such as ludology, game mechanics, UX, games audio and interactive and immersive experience design.  Applicants should have an interest in transdisciplinary practice as well as an understanding of practice-based research methodologies.  However, as this is an emerging area of practice applications would be welcome from a wider field, in which case students would be required to demonstrate the relevance of their expertise to the field.

Contact: sophy.smith@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: New frontiers in AI Enabled Computer Animation Research – CLOSED

Description: Current character animation processes involve time-consuming manual efforts, particularly in posing and animating characters. The proposed research responds to the need for an algorithmic solution that automates character animation, taking source movement and target character as input. Additionally, the project acknowledges the limited availability of samples for model learning, emphasizing the need for an innovative approach to generate diverse animations.

The research aims to address the challenge of automating character animation, specifically focusing on human-like characters and animations. The primary focus is on synthesizing movements from 2D images onto 3D characters, allowing for interactive editing and reusing animations in diverse scenarios. The project recognizes the emerging applications of character animation in entertainment applications.

Applicants for this PhD should possess a strong academic background, preferably holding a Masters degree in fields such as Computer Animation, Games Technologies, Creative Technologies, Creative Computing, Computer Science, Digital Media, or a closely related discipline. Applicants for this PhD should possess a strong academic background, preferably holding a master's degree in fields such as Games Technologies, Creative Technologies, Creative Computing, Computer Science, Digital Media, or a closely related discipline. Ideal candidates would have interest in virtual production, game engine technologies, or immersive storytelling, showcasing a keen interest in the intersection of theory and practice. Relevant skills include proficiency in digital content creation tools, game engines,  programming, or prior involvement in creative technology projects. Additionally, applicants should articulate a clear research agenda aligned with the proposed theme, highlighting their potential contributions to the evolving landscape of virtual production and creative technologies.

Contact: daming.shi@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: The Role of Emerging Technologies in Mitigating Modern Slavery Risks in Fashion Supply Chains – CLOSED

Description: Applications for the VC’s studentship are invited in modern slavery or social responsibility related issues within fashion supply chain, logistics, and operations discipline. This project aims to explore the role of emerging technologies in mitigating modern slavery risks in fashion manufacturers’ supply chains, ideally, in Asia.

According to Global Estimates of Modern Slavery (2021) on any given day approximately 50 million people are in situations of modern slavery. Modern slavery and/or social responsibility issues are even more acute in globally dispersed fashion supply chain operations. Similarly, UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 made it mandatory to publish MS reports on annual bases. Thuss, organisations are required by law to take serious steps about its eradication and, consequently, great opportunities for research, consultancy work and attracting funding from the research projects. The research supervisory team will be able to assist the doctoral researcher in networking and research data collection from UK and Asian fashion supply chain partners.

The applicant should have postgraduate level education in the discipline of supply chain management, logistics, operations and/or project management. Additional qualifications in the international business and HRM will be of benefit. The applicant should have in-depth understanding of and networking with fashion manufacturers in Asia.

Contact: piyya.shan@uca.ac.uk 

Project Topic: Collecting, conserving, and displaying photography in the National Galleries of Scotland – CLOSED

Description: This project aims to investigate the stories of womxn, and minority groups represented in the archives of the National Galleries of Scotland both as photographers and subjects with a view to creating new policy for the collection of photography. The research will involve finding new approaches to collecting, cataloguing, display and audience engagement and will also evaluate future conservancy requirements. The research will enable innovation in collections policy and could act as a model for institutions across the UK.

We would like the applicants to have a masters’ level qualification in a relevant subject area which could include photography history of photography, curating. As well experience of engaging in research and/or curatorial projects would be desirable.

This studentship is part of the Fast Forward: Women in Photography research project at www.fastforward.photography

Contact:  afox@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Repair Cafés – CLOSED

Description: Repair cafés are workshops/events that enable repair at a community level and are generally driven by citizens rather than local government or other stakeholders. Repair Cafes sit at the convergence between Circular Economy and Circular Society (an under discussed/researched area) and have come under the radar for policymakers and other stakeholders. There are c. 3000 repair cafes in the world, 80% in Europe and c. 250-300 in the UK.

The Centre for Sustainable Design® (CfSD) completed the 1^st, two global surveys of repair cafés and was a partner in a 3^rd;’. UCA – through CfSD – is a collaborator in Farnham Repair Café (FRC) https://frc.cfsd.org.uk/ that has been put forward for a Kings Award for Voluntary Service https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/ - and have also launched the Greater Surrey Repair Café Network to support the development of other repair cafés in the region. CfSD have organised 2 national UK repair café conferences with a 3^rd in development and are collaborating with the Repair Café International Federation (based in the Netherlands) on a series of webinars for the international repair café community.

This funded studentship could be on one or more of the following themes: a history of the repair café movement and implications for development in the future; an analysis of repair cafes role within a Circular Society and Circular Economy; lessons learnt for product design from product repairs completed at repair cafés; global survey of repair café with follow-up case studies on repair cafés in specific countries and/or regions; the development a common methodology to report on the performance of repair cafés; the quantification of carbon emission savings and societal benefits for repair cafés internationally or by country or region.

The successful applicant will have a Masters degree and/or experience related to circular economies, ideally with a focus on repair and/or civil society/the community. Candidates could be social scientists and/or have a product design/design engineering background: suitability would depend on the focus of their specific proposal. Experience in the use of various research methodologies both quantitative and qualitative would be advantageous. Experience and the ability to liaise with various stakeholders such as repair experts, citizen and policymakers would be beneficial as would previous involvement in repair cafés.

Contact: mcharter@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Building sustainable creative communities: Assessing the impact and influence of Free Range Canterbury – CLOSED

Description: Free Range is simultaneously an artistic organisation and a rhyzomatic network. It exists to provide a knowledge sharing, sustainable, creative and interdisciplinary performative offering. This utilises creative technologies and social networks to enrich and be enriched by the local community in Canterbury and its environs. It now wishes to enhance its various pathways via an investigation of its past, present and potential future impact. The project give us a deep understanding of what makes a community creative arts organisation successful, and what they need to thrive.

To address this, the research may explore the following;

• What is the current and historic demographic of Free Range participants?
• What questions concerning equality and access does this data raise?
• Where does the action of Free Range have most influence?
• How can the ethos and action of Free Range have greater impact and influence across a wider community spectrum?
• To what extent are sustainability and community enrichment embedded across the Free Range programme?
• How can creative technologies be better used to facilitate this growth and development?
• How can Free Range sustain its independence and creative integrity within the context of financial dependence on increasingly precarious arts council funding?
• What could Free Range do structurally, creatively, and intra-actively to secure its future?
• What is the local, regional and national context for organisation of similar scale in terms of funding models, opportunities, successes, failures? How does FREE RANGE compare or differ?

We are looking for an applicant who is aware of FREE RANGE activities or has been an active participant. As such an involvement in or knowledge of creative interdisciplinary practice, (especially improvisation) and community arts is desirable. As well as an understanding or experience of working with data, archives and conducting surveys. This could be evidenced in their professional / artistic / musical practice or in their postgraduate research and thesis.

Contact: ewaeckerle@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Re-Animating the Archives – CLOSED

Description: In archival collections, residual traces of historic events are gathered, ordered and stored according to particular logics. This prompts many questions: who is remembered and who is forgotten? What forms can memories take? Who decides what is kept? What lies behind the desire to collect? How do we document unspeakable events? What story does an archive tell? How can we find out the history of those who are not included in the archive? How will we archive digital media?

UCA’s Animation Archives offer partial glimpses into independent British animation in the 1960s-90s. They include the archives of Oscar winning animator, Bob Godfrey, who established the first Higher Education Animation course in the UK at UCA in 1969. Although popularly known for his children’s TV series, such as Roobarb and Custard and The Do-It-Yourself Animation Show, Godfrey also created several more experimental and adult works that drew upon traditions of British satire, DADA and Situationism. This is complimented by the Dick Arnall collection spanning curatorial policy for animated film festivals and materials from independent productions for Channel 4 in the 80s and 90s that reimagined animation as an artform.

This Studentship invites research proposals that use our existing animation archives as a starting point to generate close examination of underused materials, re-readings, interventions, counter-archives and utopian proposals for future collections. The research can be practice-based in the form of animation, exhibition or essay film or it could be primarily written, however it should be grounded in a theoretical and conceptual exploration of the notion of archive rather than being a literal historical investigation. We are looking for candidates who are educated to Masters level with a track record of publication and/or artistic achievement. Previous work with archives is a bonus.

Contact: birgitta.hosea@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Contemporary photographic Work by Queer Diasporic communities – CLOSED

Description: This project will investigate the work and stories of contemporary queer photographers who have emigrated in order to be able to make their own photographic work based on personal identity in relation to gender and sexuality.

This is an original and significant area of investigation that will provoke new thinking and original research. Referencing a variety of research on gender identity, migration and post-colonial studies this new proposition is designed to investigate the work of photographers in diasporas across the world.

We are looking for students with MA/MFA qualifications in photography or related subject areas who have some experience of either publishing or exhibiting their work.

This studentship is part of the Fast Forward: Women in Photography research project at www.fastforward.photography

Contact: afox@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Ontologies, Ecologies and Ethics – CLOSED

Description: UCA’s new research cluster for Ontologies, Ecologies and Ethics awards a Vice Chancellor’s PhD studentship for transdisciplinary engagement across one or more of the following areas: art and film history and theory, continental philosophy, critical ecologies, environmental humanities, ethics, affect theory, feminist and gender studies, critical and political theory, realisms, and materialisms. Research in the cluster engages with human and other-than-human ecologies; notions of nature; ontologies of media, things, matter, and bodies; and creative rather than prescriptive ethics. It examines singular practices in relation to general theories and philosophies, and vice versa.
 
Candidates should be ardent practitioners of critical thinking and ideally have a background of engagement with art or lens-based images. They should be interested in challenging theory through practice, or practice through theory. The PhD can be theory- or practice-based. Eligible candidates should have a 1st bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in one of the relevant subject areas.
 
Contact: spanse@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: The Social Impact of Community Participation and Co-Creation in a Museum with Imperial War Museums

Start date: 1st October 2024

Application deadline: 24 May 2024

The PhD will be an opportunity to examine the role of community engagement in a participatory co-creation process and investigate what different forms of social impact may result.

This project will be jointly supervised by Professor Catharine Rossi (UCA), Dr Sarah Scarsbrook (UCA) and Dr Katharine Alston (IWM), Dr R. Marcelo Sanchez-Camus (IWM). The student will be expected to spend time at both UCA Canterbury’s Doctoral College and Imperial War Museums, as well as become part of the wider cohort of CDP funded students across the UK. The research will be primarily focused at the London branch of IWM with some research at the North branch in Greater Manchester.

The studentship can be studied either full or part-time.

We encourage the widest range of potential students to study for this CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented backgrounds at this level and area of study.

Students should have a Master's degree in a relevant subject or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting.

The studentship is open to both home and international applicants.

Project Overview

The PhD will develop research into audience social impact within IWM, nourishing and deriving new thinking from a live project involving visitors (in-person and virtual) to examine in detail the impact of a ground-breaking new season exploring the conflict which accompanied the end of the British Empire, planned for 2025. The season will focus on the period from the end of the Second World War as several of Britain’s former imperial territories moved towards independence.  The project will question what our shared imperial history means and aims to develop understanding of recently contested histories. During the PhD the candidate will observe at close quarters how inclusive and participatory models including co-creation are devised and implemented; assess how it is realised in the exhibition, public programming, events, and web-outputs; and help design the audience impact research (including participatory forums).

Research questions include:

• What key factors determine the success of a participatory and co-creation models in shaping the content and structure of a museum exhibition?
• What kinds of audience impact can be achieved through a shared examination of recently contested history, and how do these impacts vary across different community groups and audience segments?
• What risks need to be addressed when engaging externally with groups and individuals whose involvement in recent history places them in a special category as regards ownership?
• How do participatory and co-creation processes influence or support new ways of working?
• What are the best practices for measuring the social impact of a participatory and co-creation models in a cultural institution like the IWM, and how can these practices be applied to future projects?

Details of Award

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 4 years or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of 8 years.

The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2023/2024 is £4,786. UCA will apply a fee waiver equivalent to the difference between overseas and UK fees for eligible candidates.

The award pays full maintenance for all students both home and international students. The UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2023/2024 is £19,237 plus London Weighting of £2000/year. 

The student is eligible to receive an additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of IWM worth up to £1000 per year for 4 years.

The successful candidate will be eligible to participate in events organised for all Collaborative Doctoral Partnership students who are registered with different universities and studying with cultural and heritage organisations across the UK.

Eligibility

This studentship is open to both Home and International applicants.

International candidates must have an IELTS 7.0 in English Language for a standard thesis route and no less than 6.5 for a practice-based route (or equivalent qualification).

To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
• Further guidance can be found here:
  https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UKRI-030221-Guidance-International-Eligibility-Implementation-training-grant-holders-V2.pdf

International students are eligible to receive the full award for maintenance as are home students. UCA will apply a fee waiver equivalent to the difference between overseas and UK fees for eligible candidates.

We want to encourage the widest range of potential students to study for a CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented backgrounds at this level and area of study.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in the sector and potential and enthusiasm for developing skills more widely in related areas.
 
As a collaborative award, students will be expected to spend time at both the University for the Creative Arts and the IWM.

NB. All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding. See:

https://www.ukri.org/funding/information-for-award-holders/grant-terms-and-conditions/

How to apply

Applicants will be assessed on their academic record and research potential. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Catharine Rossi by emailing  cat.rossi@uca.ac.uk note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.)

To apply please send the documents below in a word or PDF format to researchdegrees@uca.ac.uk with the subject header IWM studentship:

• CV
• Two references
• Cover letter outlining your research interests and suitability
• One page document outlining the research proposal
• Please complete the AHRC CDP Studentship diversity monitoring form:
  https://forms.office.com/e/5QwvuUQdWU

Any responses to this form will not be sent to reviewing panel members, if you choose to answer or not or any answers given will have no bearing on the outcome of your application.

UCA and IWM will jointly assess the applications, hold interviews, and then invite the successful candidate to formally apply to the University through the postgraduate study portal.

The deadline for applications is 24 May 2024 and we are expecting to hold interviews online on 3 July.

Project Topic: From Ferguson to Amazon Unionisation: Racial Capitalism, and Alternative Modes of Organising Against State and Corporation

Description: Whilst the Black Lives Matter movement heralded widespread interest in racial exploitation and police violence, it also triggered corporate anti-racism at odds with the racial exploitation of workers globally. The framework of racial capitalism offers a way of thinking about racialised violence and exploitation together – considering the relationships with police violence against Black people across the world, segregation, economies of war and police, unequal exchange, resource theft, and neo-colonialism. By considering both state and corporation together, racial capitalism offers resources for articulating the interwoven violences of both – and equally as important, the need for alternative modes of organising beyond either protest (against the state) or strike (against the corporation).

Masters degree with a substantial portion in critical theory / political theory / organisation studies, though this could be part of a degree in communication, business, or art. 

Contact: jtrafford2@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Sculpting Creativity: An In-Depth Exploration of ChatGPT/NLP's Artistic Roles as Assistant, Collaborator, and Expert Advisor, Balancing Expectations and Unveiling Limitations

Description: The contemporary creative technologies are undergoing a transformative shift with advancements in AI, ML and NLP technologies. This PhD investigates the implications, challenges, and creative opportunities presented by these technologies. Investigating the utilization of ChatGPT/NLP involves delineating its multifaceted roles as an assistant, collaborator, and expert advisor. While the models generally align with expectations across various scenarios, certain situations reveal notable limitations in the model's performance. 

By combining theoretical insights with a substantial body of practical work, the research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolving nature of NLP from a creative technologies context. The thesis will also address ethical implications related to the use of AI in the arts, discussing issues such as bias, originality, and creative autonomy.

Applicants for this PhD should possess a strong academic background, preferably holding a Masters degree in a field such as Creative AI, Creative Technologies, Creative Computing, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline. Ideal candidates would have interest in virtual production, game engine technologies, or immersive storytelling, showcasing a keen interest in the intersection of theory and practice. Relevant skills include proficiency in digital content creation tools, game engines, programming, or prior involvement in creative technology projects. Additionally, applicants should articulate a clear research agenda aligned with the proposed theme, highlighting their potential contributions to the evolving landscape of virtual production and creative technologies.

Contact: daming.shi@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Exploring the Relationship between Physical and Digital Collections

Description: This project involves working with successful creative practitioners as well as with young people from a range of diverse backgrounds to understand their motivations, ambitions and what inspires them. The successful applicant will consider the following questions:

• In what ways do physical and digital assets inspire young people to pursue a creative arts education and career?
• How do successful creative practitioners use physical and digital assets to inspire their creativity?
• In what ways can physical and digital assets be utilised to maximise impact in terms of inspiring a new generation of creative learners and creative practice?
• What can we learn, as a library, university and creative sector to inspire and drive future generations of creative learners and practitioners?

Following a thorough review of existing literature, primary research will include - semi-structure interviews and focus groups, which will then be coded and analysed; data will be presented to curators and educators to evaluate and agree future approaches to maximise the impact of assets using the Delphi Technique.

The successful applicant will have a good degree in a relevant discipline such as education, psychology or sociology with an interest in the creative arts. They will have a demonstratable ability to work between quantitative and qualitative research methods as appropriate.

Contact: lgarrett@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Concept Art: Defining a Field

Description: Concept art contributes to the development and prototyping of characters, worlds, products, and technologies in a range of creative industries, from its traditional home in animation, film and, video games, to areas like industrial and military design.

Concept art has received very little scholarly attention, even as BA programmes proliferate in the UK and internationally. Questions relating to concept art’s aesthetic qualities and development, its relationship with digital technologies of production and dissemination, its formative role in shaping representations of identity, and place, its historical emergence, cultural significance, and position as a form of labour in an increasingly insecure late capitalist context remain largely unaddressed.

In addition, while concept art and its practitioners were a key but often “hidden” aspect of the development of industrial creative projects since its emergence at Disney in the 1930s, its visibility has increased with the sharing of concept art on platforms like Artstation and Instagram, with scholarly attention turning to its role as a paratext and within fan cultures (Kirkland 2014).

Areas of investigation:

• The aesthetic development of concept art
• Historical and concemporary contexts of production
• Concept art as a regime of representation
• Emerging technologies and cultures of dissemination and fan culture

Applicants should have a strong Masters-level background in the humanities, with a track record of scholarly interest in concept art or related disciplines.

Contact: rcenci@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Revolutionizing Content Creation: A Comprehensive Exploration of Virtual Production and Game Engine Technology in the Era of Immersive Experiences

Description: The contemporary screen industry is undergoing a transformative shift with advancements in virtual production and game engine technology. This PhD investigates the implications, challenges, and creative opportunities presented by these technologies. By combining theoretical insights with a substantial body of practical work, the research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolving nature of storytelling and content creation in the digital age.

This project explores the dynamic relationship between theory and practice in the context of virtual production. The research focuses on the application of game engine technology for innovative storytelling, real-time content creation, and immersive experiences across film, television, games, animation, and visual effects.

Applicants for this PhD should possess a strong academic background, preferably holding a Masters degree in a field such as Creative AI, Creative Technologies, Creative Computing, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline. Ideal candidates would have interest in virtual production, game engine technologies, or immersive storytelling, showcasing a keen interest in the intersection of theory and practice. Relevant skills include proficiency in digital content creation tools, game engines, programming, or prior involvement in creative technology projects. Additionally, applicants should articulate a clear research agenda aligned with the proposed theme, highlighting their potential contributions to the evolving landscape of virtual production and creative technologies. 

Contact: daming.shi@uca.ac.uk

Project Topic: Preserving and activating digital archives: Photomonitor and bookRoom

Description: We are looking for a researcher who is interested in articulating new ways to preserve, work with and activate digital archives within university libraries, using bookRoom and Photomonitor as potential case studies.

• The preservation of and continuing access to their digital platforms and ideas within, their histories and impact.
• The potential of AI in protecting such heritage for future learners/researchers and fostering new knowledge and interpretations.

You will have the opportunity to work in collaboration with UCA library to address the complexities of preservation and curation of digital assets and develop applications from these two case studies – for research learning and teaching, and inspiration and creativity for the wider community.

This is a timely area of research that seeks to draw from the robust research culture that evolved through bookRoom activities for the past 10 years on emerging postdigital photographic publishing practices, alongside of an examination of photomonitor platform, one of the leading spaces in which new photographies are written about and featured.

These two leading research and advocacy spaces have had a significant impact in their field by supporting artists, photographers, researchers, writers not often given a voice, alongside more established ones, thus contributing to the development of many careers while bridging the gap between dominant and emergent photographic and publishing practices and discourses.

This proposal intersects with archives, photography and publishing. As such an involvement in or knowledge of contemporary photographic culture is essential. As well as an active interest in the future of writing, design and publishing as an artistic practice, and an understanding or experience of working with archives. This could be evidenced in their professional / artistic practice or in their postgraduate research and thesis.

Contact: ewaeckerle@uca.ac.uk