PhD Study : Sensing human emotion within pervasive environments.

Apply and key information  

Summary

Sensor rich pervasive environments continue to emerge, driven by developments in the Internet of Things, providing evermore cost-effective off-the-shelf sensing solutions for continuous, unobtrusive monitoring of user habits and activities of daily living [1]. These technologies have been deployed within environments to learn behaviour patterns, to infer personalised needs or to assess wellbeing, and to facilitate timely support via targeted technology interventions [2].

Such technology offers particular opportunities to address the unmet needs of those people in society who find it difficult to self-management, self-assess and self-regulate important wellbeing factors, for example, people on the autism spectrum.

This project aims to investigate emerging machine learning approaches to support monitoring and interpretation of human emotion based on data that is opportunistically sensed [3] at time critical instances. A key challenge lies in interpreting these emotions within varying contexts, when presented with different levels of granularity owing to the richness of the available sensors.

The research will target emotions relating to stress and anxiety, to provide interventions that empower users to recognise and regulate stressful episodes. The research will investigate a range of environmental and wearable sensors to monitor key wellness factors via assessment of heart rate variability [4], in combination with Affective Computing techniques and important contextual factors (e.g. schedule, routine, dietary intake, deadlines, engagement with games, social media, etc.). The work will also look to make use of established intervention strategies for negative emotional state, such as guided parasympathetic breathing.

The core objectives of this research will focus upon:

(1) opportunistically sensing the onset of an environmental stressor;

(2) computational modelling of the emotional responses;

(3) investigating multimodal and multidimensional approaches to deliver targeted interventions.

A use case available to the project surrounds in-situ mobile assistive technology to support young people on the autism spectrum as they commence University. Transitioning from Secondary School to University is a significant period in a young person’s life, in particular, for people with autism, who report difficulties in self-regulation of emotion, adjustment to changes in environment and routine, and who often cannot clearly interpret or communicate their feelings [5].

This research aligns with research priorities identified by the Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Autism Research Hub and could leverage existing collaborations with Clinical Psychology networks across the Health Trusts. An identified route for participant engagement within the project exists via Ulster’s Student Support Centre. This proposal fits with the University’s strategic theme of Healthy Communities and closely aligns with the Pervasive Computing Research Group, focusing upon research within the areas of Activity Recognition, Behaviour Analysis and Affective Computing. The project benefits from access to a range of existing pervasive and wearable sensing technologies.

The supervisory team has expertise and experience in both the theory surrounding the work and its application to support people on the autism spectrum.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 18 February 2019
12:00AM

Interview Date
25 to 29 March 2019

Preferred student start date
September 2019

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Mark Donnelly

Other supervisors