Driving simulation for assessment and rehabilitation

Dr Rich McIlroy

Friday, July 31, 2026

Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Dr Rich McIlroy, Professor Michael Hornberger and Dr Ruth Turk

This PhD explores how driving simulators can be used to assess and train driving skills, and support rehabilitation following injury, illness, or disability. The mixed-method, interdisciplinary project will investigate their potential as consistent, objective assessment tools as well as their impact on the recovery of cognitive, sensory, and motor skills.

Driving requires a complex combination of motor, sensory, and cognitive skills. When an individual experiences injury, illness, or disability, their fitness to drive may be affected. The UK government provides guidance for medical professionals assessing fitness to drive, but decisions ultimately rely on individual clinical judgment, which may be influenced by a patient’s social or emotional circumstances. Withdrawing a person’s driving licence can significantly impact their independence and mental health, potentially placing additional pressure on health and social care systems. Conversely, allowing them to continue driving could pose serious risks to both themselves and others. With the growing prevalence of stroke and other age-related conditions, this issue represents an increasingly important national challenge.

Although use in the UK remains limited to early trials, driving simulators are attracting growing attention in the field of fitness to drive. They offer potential advantages in terms of consistency, control, and objectivity, and show promise as re-training tools that help individuals regain driving confidence and ability.

Emerging evidence also suggests that driving simulators can have positive effects on broader cognitive, sensory, and motor functions. Beyond helping people return to driving, driving simulation itself may represent a valuable neurorehabilitation technology.

This PhD, involving experts across three faculties, will explore these interconnected areas, working with clinicians, simulation experts, and patients in an interdisciplinary field that brings together medicine, psychology, health sciences, transport, and computer science.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in one of the following or related disciplines: psychology, health sciences, computer science, ergonomics.

Experience working with human participants would be highly beneficial.

Candidates coming from occupational therapy (or related) backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Fees and funding

We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.

Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.

Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

How to apply

Apply now

• programme type: research
• academic year: 2026/27
• if you will be full time or part time
• faculty: Engineering and Physical Sciences
• search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
• please add the name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application.

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts/ certificates to date
• English language qualification (if applicable)

Contact us

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

If you have a general question, email: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Dr Rich McIlroy (r.mcilroy@soton.ac.uk).