Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Gambling on 5G: Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Gambling Disorders

Funding providers: Swansea Bay City Deal Digital Infrastructure PhD Studentships

Subject areas: Psychology, Computer Science, Psychiatry, Digital Health

Project description: 

5G technology supports high-speed, seamless connectivity for online, smartphone-based gambling. As the opportunities for the remote delivery of gambling experiences increase, so too does the risk of addiction and disordered gambling. While cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) remains the primary treatment for gambling disorder, challenges in long-term effectiveness and integration with other therapies impede progress. 

5G virtual simulations enable virtual reality environments (VREs) that utilize low-latency video streaming, multi-user sessions, and real-time data collection. These advancements promise a revolution in how CBT can be delivered, experienced, and analysed. 

In collaboration with our local commercial partner, Imersifi, and our academic partner, Dr Stephen Sharman (King’s College London), this PhD project will design and evaluate VREs for the study of gambling behaviour and the treatment of gambling disorder using a central feature of CBT: exposure therapy (with and without response prevention).  

Eligibility

Applicants for this PhD scholarship must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis.

IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.   

Additional Funding Information 

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237. 

Additional research expenses will also be available. 

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