PhD LITAC Studentship - Inclusive Colour Design for Neurodivergence

The last decade has seen an unheralded increase in neurodivergence (autism, ADHD and dyslexia). For example, the number of diagnosed cases of autism spectrum disorder in the UK doubled between 2012 and 2018 (Russell et al., 2022). Some of this increase may be the result of greater awareness; however, our world is increasingly information-dense, and this may also be a contributing factor. 

For many neurodiverse people, for example, bright colours and loud sounds, for example, can be distracting or even distressing. Whereas colour blindness has been widely studied, resulting in glasses to correct colour blindness and filters for use in computer games for example, by comparison little attention has focused on the problems of neurodivergence, especially in the adult population.

This PhD will understand the requirements of neurodiverse adults from a colour perspective and then will explore ways to use digital filters that can modify computer displays. This will provide neurodiverse people with a personalised and more acceptable experience at work, in education or when playing computer games and watching movies.

The research questions addressed in this project are:

• What are the issues that neurodiverse adults have with colour in gaming, cinema and the workplace? 
• Can we design a set of digital transformations (or filters) that reduce or eliminate the most problematic aspect of colour.
• Identity routes for impact of digital colour filters in display including mobile devices.

This project will take advantage of the existing links with industry, particularly with high-profile manufacturers of display technology, and enterprises working in the gaming, education and entertainment sectors. 

Duration of the Award

• Full-time (3 years), pro-rata for part-time. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 and a half years (pro-rata for part-time), subject to satisfactory academic progress. 

Funding

• Full Fees
• Maintenance (£19,237 in Session 2024/25 for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata at 60%). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate.
• Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.

Other Conditions

• Awards must be taken up by 1st of October 2025.
• The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time or part-time research study leading to the degree of PhD. Students who are already registered for PhD research study are excluded from applying. 

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements for PGR (Masters by research or PhD) study is 2.1 honours degree. For PhD, a Masters or Integrated Masters degree isn’t a requirement but is advantageous given the volume of applications we receive – ideally you will have achieved a distinction or at least a merit, especially in your Masters dissertation or final research project. The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Design is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component or equivalent.

For more details and to apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

Contact details

For further information please contact the Admissions team on ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk.

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