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

Project advert

Serious games are used to teach several skills to individuals with Learning Disabilities (LD), including social and independent living skills. However, designing and developing serious games accessible to all members of the population is a complex challenge due to diverse and unique characterises and interests. Recent advancements have led to real-time adaptations based on player profiles and real-time game interaction data, but there is still a gap in tailoring content to fit the unique interests and abilities of players. 

We are looking for candidates for a PhD studentship on research to explore 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 LD. The successful candidate will develop a framework for co-designing serious games that leverage Generative AI for dynamic content adaptation through a co-design process with individuals with LD and stakeholders; develop prototypes of serious games for teaching independent living skills to young adults with LD that support dynamic content adaptation using Generative AI; and evaluate the prototypes with the target group. The successful candidate will work with a team of experts who will support and guide them through the project.

Project aims and objectives

This research aims to: 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 Learning Disabilities (LD). 

Funding

The student will be in receipt of a stipend payment; the Research Council minimum rate (set by UKRI) £20,780 for 2025/26.

Home and Overseas students can apply. Home fees are covered. Eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding. 

Specific requirements of the candidate

The successful candidate must evidence competency in games development and hold a Masters or a first-class degree in games development, games design or a related computer science discipline. The candidate will be expected to produce the evidence in their application and at an interview. There is no expectation that the candidate has published a game or has worked on a published game, though this would be advantageous. The candidate is also expected to have a 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.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Misbahu Zubair at m.zubair@mmu.ac.uk for an informal discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD.

in Computing and Digital Technologies (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal and  Narrative CV (supplementary information) form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

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

Closing date: 19 May 2025

Expected start date: October 2025

Please quote the reference: SciEng-MZ-2025-Learning disabilities

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