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-manage, self-assess and self-regulate important wellbeing factors, for example, people with autism spectrum disorders.

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 emotions within varying contexts and levels of granularity owing to the richness of the available sensors at a given time point.

The research will target emotions relating to stress and anxiety, to provide a basis for self-intervention 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 determine the feasibility of embedding established intervention strategies for reducing 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. 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 can leverage existing collaborations within Ulster’s Autism Hub and Clinical Psychology networks across 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.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • Publications record appropriate to career stage

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

Recommended reading

1.K. Connelly et al. (2017 "The Future of Pervasive Health," in IEEE Pervasive Comp, 16(1): 16-20.

2.Cook, D., & Das, S. (2012). Pervasive computing at scale, Pervasive and Mobile Computing, 8: 22-35.

3.Kemp, H., & Quintana, D. (2013) The relationship between mental and physical health: Insights from the study of heart rate variability, Journal of Psychophysiology, 89(3): 288-296.

4.Roggen, D. et al. (2013) Opportunistic human activity and context recognition, Computer, 46(2): 36-45. Roleska, M., et al. (2018) Autism and the right to education in the EU, PLOS ONE 13(8): 1-17.

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 5 February 2021
12:00AM

Interview Date
Week Beginning 22nd March 2021

Preferred student start date
Mid-September 2021

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr George Moore

Other supervisors