PhD Studentship - Adaptive Serious Games for Teaching Independent Living Skills to Young Adults with Learning Disabilities

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity open to both home and overseas students. Only home fees are covered - eligible overseas students must make up the difference in tuition fee funding.

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) of £19,237 for 2024/25.

PROJECT CONTACT

Dr Misbahu Zubair

PROJECT ADVERT

This PhD studentship focuses on the design, development and efficacy of adaptive serious games that leverage Generative AI for dynamically adapting content to meet the unique needs and interests of individuals with Learning Disabilities (LD).

Serious games are used to teach skills to individuals with LD including social and independent living skills. Designing and developing serious games accessible to all members of the population is a complex challenge due to diverse and unique characterises and interests.

The successful candidate will develop a framework for co-designing serious games that leverage Generative AI, working with individuals with LD and stakeholders and develop prototypes for teaching independent living skills to young adults with LD.

PROJECT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Explore the design and evaluate the efficacy of adaptive serious games that leverage generative AI for dynamically generating and adapting content to meet the needs of individuals with LD.

Project objectives:

• Complete an extensive literature review to understand existing knowledge in the field.  
• Develop a novel framework for co-designing serious games that leverage generative AI for dynamic content adaptation and generation aimed at improving the personalization of player experiences.
• Co-design and prototype serious games for teaching independent living skills to young adults with LD.
• Evaluate prototype(s) through user study with young adults to understand the effects of Generative AI content adaptation on player experience and learning efficacy.
• Disseminate findings of the project through publications.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

Essential

• Evidence competency in games development and hold a first-class/2:1 degree in games development, games design or a related computer science discipline.
• There is no expectation that the candidate has published a game or has worked on a published game, though this would be advantageous.
• Passion for serious games and evidence of a strong understanding of the area.
• Knowledge of accessibility, inclusive design, and Generative AI is not a requirement, it will however be beneficial.

Desirable

• Masters degree in games development, games design or related computer science discipline
• Ability to learn and apply new concepts quickly.
• Strong time-management skills.
• Understanding of project management.
• Proficient in either C# or C++
• Knowledge of the Unity or Unreal Game engine
• Independent in their work.
• Open to constructive criticism.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Dr Misbahu Zubair for an informal discussion.

To apply, please complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Computer Science (or download the PGR application form).

Complete the PGR thesis proposal and Narrative CV addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how your skills map\ to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, please upload your statement in the supporting documents section, or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

Expected start: Home students October 2024. International students January 2025.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-MZ-2024-adaptive-serious-games

Find out more

Email address: Dr Misbahu Zubair

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