PhD Study : Artificial Intelligence for Smart Sensing to facilitate better health

Summary

Wearable sensors are a category of computing devices that can be worn by a user to facilitate activity and physiological based monitoring and measuring. In the past, wearable sensors were only a tool used in research labs. However, wearable sensors are no longer just a research tool and over the last decade have become an increasingly popular consumer product used by millions of people in everyday life. Smartphone and smartwatches are widely used now and come equipped with multiple sensors. Similarly, fitness trackers are popular; whilst elite sports athletes are wearing movement trackers with new wearable sports products being released annually.

This advancement of wearable sensing technologies alongside embedded systems and wireless communication technologies makes it possible to now develop smart systems to perform continuous monitoring of people’s activities and behaviour. Continuous monitoring of activities and of behaviour has enabled the development of a number of different applications, particularly in the areas of remote physical and mental health management.

Data extracted from wearable and ambient sensors can be analysed to extract health measurements and/or make predictions about future health risks, symptoms and conditions. For example, wearable sensors can be used to measure a person’s walking pattern; data extracted can be used to measure the likelihood that person may be frail and/or have a fall soon [1]. Similarly, data can be used to analyse patterns of physical activity of a person and give advice on changes in physical behaviour which would be beneficial to the clinicians in monitoring of the wearers health [2]. Wearable sensors are also finding increased usage in elite sports where, for example, in Rugby Union sensors are worn on players backs to track running and monitor collisions to reduce injury and improve performance [3].

The ability to perform common daily physical activities is a key characteristic measured by clinicians to identify possible changes in patient health, see early symptoms of conditions and to enable timely interventions for same. In recent years, wearable sensors have increasingly been used to objectively measure physical ability. However, current methods to measure physical ability are costly and difficult to administer due to a number of factors such as the need to attend a clinic, the need for expert supervision and regular clinic monitoring and the use of costly equipment.

Wearable sensors have the potential to remotely solve these issues by enabling remote community-based sensing where patient physical ability can be measured and monitored automatically. However, in order for a community-based sensing system to be practical in real world conditions, techniques need to be developed that can extract meaning from cost-effective sensors, such as wrist worn fitness trackers, in uncontrolled remote real-life scenarios.

This project will therefore focus on developing Artificial Intelligence techniques that can extract meaning from this sensor data to make physical monitoring practical and realisable.

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.

• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Applicants will be shortlisted if they have an average of 75% or greater in a first (honours) degree (or a GPA of 8.75/10). For applicants with a first degree average in the range of 70% to 74% (GPA 3.3): If they are undertaking an Masters, then the average of their first degree marks and their Masters marks will be used for shortlisting.

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