PhD Studentship: Co-Creating Construction Work Environment To Meet the Needs of an Ageing Workforce

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences EPSRC Project Proposals 2025/26 (jobs.ac.uk)

Number of Positions: 1

School/Faculty: Civil Engineering

Closing Date: 2 January 2025

Eligibility: UK and International

Funding:

UK: School of Computer Science studentship consisting of the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant of £19,237 per year for 3.5 years. 

International: School of Civil Engineering Fee Only Award offering the award of full academic fees for 3 years 

Lead Supervisor’s full name & email address

Dr Alex Torku: a.torku@leeds.ac.uk

Co-supervisor’s full name & email address

Dr Douglas Booker: d.d.booker@leeds.ac.uk

Project summary

The UK has an ageing population, including an ageing construction workforce. The number of younger people entering the construction workforce is significantly lower than the number of people retiring. The nature of work in the construction industry is generally described as tough, heavy and physically demanding, which is unfavourable for workers of all ages and can significantly speed up the deteriorating changes that come with ageing. Given that an individual’s functional capability declines with age, it is more likely for older workers to become redundant within the construction industry. In this project, we aim to retain more older workers in the construction industry by co-creating – with older workers – an environment that meets their needs, consequently promoting an age-friendly construction industry where older construction workers feel safe, comfortable, and happy while improving productivity. The co-creation will involve external partners, including Age Friendly Leeds, Centre for Ageing Better and The Chartered Institute of Building. Age friendly interventions will be inspired by emerging technologies, such as wearable tech (for human sensing), low-cost air quality sensors, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, extended reality, and digital twins. The outcome of this project will improve equity, social justice, and inclusivity for ageing persons within the construction industry.

Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background

A first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

Subject Area 

Civil & Structural Engineering 

Keywords

Ageing, workforce, civil engineering, construction, wearable technology

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