Exploring Techno-Spiritual Experiences for Place-Based Interaction

About the Project

This PhD opportunity will invite candidates to explore and critically examine the intersection between religious, spiritual and transcendent experiences with place.

Examples areas may include pilgrimage, digital communities, fandoms or other sites of meaning and how technology may play a role in mediating and creating new meaningful experiences.

This research area aligns with areas of psychogeography, critical heritage, and phenomenology. This research will contribute to the emerging area of Techo-Spiritualism with HCI research. The research may also contribute to the field of critical heritage and creative placemaking

Potential candidates are encouraged to purse their own research questions within this area. Please contact Tanis Grandison (t.grandison@napier.ac.uk) to discuss your proposed area of exploration.

Academic qualifications

Have, or expect to achieve by the start of the studentship a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, ideally in Creative Design, HCI, Digital Media, Computer Science or equivalent with a good fundamental knowledge of use of interactive design practices to produce artefacts.

Other areas (e.g theology, Geography) may be considered if the candidate can demonstrate knowledge in the above areas.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

• Candidates should have the ability to use interactive design practices to produce artefacts. This might include, augmented, virtual or tangible designs. They should also have a knowledge of participatory and co-design practices.
• Knowledge of participatory design
• Qualitative methodologies
• Self-motivated
• Only a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level in a subject relevant to the PhD project will be considered, or equivalent achievements.

Desirable attributes:

• Practical experience in research or industry will be considered an advantage.

When applying click here

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (download)
• Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about:
  1. Background and motivation of the project. The motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
  2. Research questions or objectives.
  3. Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
  4. List of references.

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

To be considered, the application must use

• the advertised title as project title

For informal enquiries about this PhD project, please contact Dr Tanis Grandison email T.Grandison@napier.ac.uk