"PhD Studentship: Artificial Intelligence-Extended Reality (AI-XR) Mediated International Student Experiences"

Do you want to digitally transform higher education (HE) learning experiences? This novel project aims to combine Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR) to create a transformative educational tool. XR technologies enable immersive, interactive, and collaborative hybrid learning environments. When integrated with AI-driven personalisation, learning tools adapt to individual needs, offering more personalised, accessible educational experiences. This study has the opportunity to make a significant international impact in the rapidly evolving HE landscape, by addressing key government and education policy priorities and futureproofing learning experiences to equip future generations of students with the skills to thrive in a technology-driven and interconnected world.

Supported by leading researchers in XR, the candidate will access opportunities with our academic, industry and international partners. The study will support established COIL projects (Collaborative Online International Learning) running across the institution to develop a novel AI-XR prototype. The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to drive the development of a novel AI-XR curriculum framework. This will provide crucial insights into the evolving XR technologies landscape, inform digital education policy and focus on creating valuable human-centric learning experiences in a globally connected educational environment.

This PhD project is one of five independent projects open for applications, with only three funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

Project aims and objectives

Designing effective AI-XR student experiences

• RQ1. To explore the use of artificial intelligence for the enhancement of student experiences
• RQ2. To identify opportunities of extended reality for international collaborative learning experiences
• RQ3. To explore the use, impact and learning experience of AI-XR teaching methods
• RQ4. To propose a new AI-XR curriculum framework for higher education

Funding

Both Home and International students can apply. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three-year award.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025/26.

Specific requirements of the candidate

Essential Skills:

• A background in emerging and/or immersive technologies
• A background in education, teaching and learning.
• Enthusiasm for multidisciplinary research and problem-solving.
• Highly motivated student.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

How to apply

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Ella Cranmer (e.cranmer@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Operations, Technology, Events and Hospitality Management.

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.

Please ensure that your application also includes your Academic Certificates and Transcripts as supporting documents.

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 02 March 2026

Expected start date: October 2026

Please quote the reference: FoBL-EC-2026-27-AI-XR student experiences