PhD Studentship in collaboration with Ordnance Survey
Capturing and presenting crowd-sourced information: human factors design challenges
Loughborough University -Design School
Applications are invited for the above PhD studentship within the Design School at Loughborough University.
Crowd-sourced information is a growing phenomenon and well-known examples include OpenStreetMap ™ (mapping), Wikipedia™ (encyclopaedic information) and TripAdvisor™ (tourist information). There are also less well-known examples where niche groups might be using smartphone apps, social media or ‘Web 2.0’ capabilities to create specialist sets of data such as local running routes or education based resources. Many examples of crowd-sourced data have a geographic element and Ordnance Survey is interested in grasping the opportunities offered by engaging the masses in data collection.
The topic of crowd-sourced information offers up many user-centred challenges in terms of both the capture and presentation of such data across a range of stakeholders and technologies. It can also apply to a range of application areas (e.g. transport, public services). The successful candidate would be able to define the topic with the supervisors but would be expected to cover some or all of the following issues: Understanding and developing new interaction methods for information capture; Understanding what motivates people to capture/contribute different kinds of information and how this understanding could influence the types of people that contribute; Identifying how crowd-sourced information might best be presented – how can good design assist user understanding and judgements of information quality and reliability?
Students must have a first or upper second class academic qualification or a relevant Masters qualification in a discipline that has a clear focus on user-centred-design.
The studentship provides a tax free stipend of £15,500 per annum for a period of three years plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. For funding reasons the studentships are open to UK and EU applicants only. Non UK applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements, details available here: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/englang/index.htm
Informal enquiries about the project should be made to Tracy Ross [log in to unmask]
Information about Loughborough Design School can be found at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/lds/
Details about the application process can be found via the Apply button below. Please note that we require all online applications to be accompanied by a 2 page research proposal as described in this link. This proposal should be emailed to [log in to unmask] at the same time as submitting an online application.
Please quote the following reference when applying: TR/LDS2012-13
Deadline for applications: Friday 3rd May 2013 However, early application is strongly encouraged as the latest start date is 1st July 2013. This means those aiming to graduate in Summer 2013 will qualify. Given the date, pre-planned holidays can be accommodated.
Details on jobs.ac.uk: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AGI378/phd-studentship-in-collaboration-with-ordnance-survey/
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