Computer Science: Fully Funded EPSRC PhD in the Technological Interventions for Social Mobility Through Computing Education

TISCE (Technological Interventions for Social Mobility through Computing Education) examines how computing education and technology can support social mobility among disadvantaged UK youth. Despite its potential, many underserved communities face barriers to accessing digital education, limiting opportunities.

The study explores how technological interventions influence young people's perceptions of digital skills and their aspirations as 21st-century citizens. Collaborating with outreach programs and charities, the project gathers real-world insights to identify effective strategies.

Findings aim to inform evidence-based policies and initiatives, helping bridge the digital divide and enhance opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

Research Group

This project will be undertaken as part of the Education, History and Philosophy Research (EHP) Group within the Computer Science department at Swansea University. EHP has made, and is making, technical contributions that are driving change, but also addressing questions such as these: 

• Education. What education in computing should we offer (i) to school and university students and teachers; (ii) to people working in businesses, public services and the professions, and (iii) to citizens?
• History and heritage. What are the causes of changes? What are the inventions and innovations that are key to our current technologies, ambitions and concerns?
• Philosophy. How do our technologies speak to classic, human philosophical problems of what we can know, what we can do, and who we are? 

We take a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to such questions, bringing together knowledge in fields as diverse as, e.g., mathematical logic, the theory of computation, software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, global and local history, classical philosophy, philosophy of science and technology, social and media studies. Philosophical discourses about epistemology, ethics, identity, etc., underpin current debates and future speculations.

Furthermore, our investigations of educational, historical and philosophical questions are often directed at the development of policies in the public and private spheres. You will have the opportunity to be based across two locations: the Computational Foundry at Bay Campus - a £32.5 million world-class facility and research beacon backed by £17m from the European Regional Development Fund, situated right on Swansea Bay beach - as well as the Singleton Park Campus, which is set in mature parkland and botanical gardens, and the main location of our EHP research group. 

Further Information

Given the nature of the project and the potential for regular, unsupervised contact with young people, you will be subject to an Enhanced Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or the equivalent from your home country – to find more information about this process, please consult Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Megan Venn-Wycherley (megan.venn-wycherley@swansea.ac.uk). 

Funding Details

Funding Comment

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

Additional research expenses of up to £3,000 per year will also be available.

Scholarships are open to UK and international fee-eligible applicants. 

EPSRC DTP studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students.

Advert information