PhD Studentship: AHRC Techne - Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA) on Inclusive Gaming with Audio Description and AI

We are delighted to offer a fully funded PhD studentship titled “Inclusive Gaming for Gamers with Sight Loss: Exploring Audio Description and Multimodal Mediation”. This project aims to enhance audio description (AD) in video games, making gaming more accessible and enjoyable for all. This will involve creating and evaluating AD, conducting playtesting sessions, and exploring AI-assisted technologies to integrate meaningful AD seamlessly into video games.

Throughout your PhD, you will deepen your understanding of accessibility as a core concept and explore diverse research methods, for example, combining advancements in AI with human expertise, to deliver and implement personalised accessibility solutions for gamers.

You will be supervised by Professor Sabine Braun and Dr Yuan Zou in the Centre for Translation Studies (CTS) at the University of Surrey, and a team led by Sonali Rai from Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

You will benefit from resources at both CTS and RNIB, work with researchers in our PhD network and have access to masterclasses, lectures, workshops, and other activities to build and consolidate your skills in this exciting new field.

Apply now to join this exciting project and help shape the future of accessible gaming!

Entry requirements

Open to any UK or international candidates. Starting in October 2025. Later dates are possible, please contact Professor Sabine Braun once the deadline passes.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

We are seeking applications from excellent, enthusiastic, and self-motivated candidates who have knowledge in Audio Description or Media Accessibility and an interest in Gaming. Technical skills, especially relevant AI skills, are desirable.

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper-second-class (2:1) UK degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower-second (2:2) UK degree plus a good UK master’s degree – distinction normally required (or equivalent overseas qualification).

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the PhD in Translation and Interpreting programme page, by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

You must upload a motivation letter (max. 800 words) as well as your full CV and any transcripts of previous academic qualifications. In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for.

In the motivation letter to us, you may consider:

• Your reasons for applying
• How your previous study and your work experience have prepared you
• Your skills and experience in research
• Fit with AHRC Techne philosophy
• How the research relates to your future career goals

Once you have submitted your application, please confirm your submission by sending an email to Prof Sabine Braun (s.braun@surrey.ac.uk). This is to ensure your application reaches us in time.

Funding

This competition-funded studentship is available to UK and International students and includes full UK or International fee waiver and stipend at UKRI rates. Funding is available for 3.5 years.

The UK fees and stipend for 2025/26 have not yet been announced but for the academic year of 2024/25 the UK fees are £4,786 and the stipend is £19,237.

International applicants will be responsible for all costs associated with their Visa application.

Application deadline: 17 January 2025

Enquiries: Contact Professor Sabine Braun or Dr Yuan Zou

Ref: PGR-2425-012

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