1 Fully Funded PhD Position
Using Affective Computing to Create an Emotional Bond between Users and Virtual Agents for Enhanced Social Interaction
The emergence of affective games, or affect-aware games, naturally leads to the need to deploy emotionally aware non-player characters (NPCs) for more adaptive gameplay. Current commercial games already include affective dimensions in their design only in the form of scripted adaptation, i.e. an open loop that does not process players' emotions. Existing companion NPCs often suffer from repetitive behaviour that could eventually become expected and boring. And while home consoles do not by default incorporate biometrics, research shows growing interest in biofeedback applications and it is anticipated that biometrics within games will become mainstream. Also, game publishers are considering "psychophysiological hardware" in their next generation of consoles.
This project will determine how a closed affective loop in a computer game influences the emotional connection between human players and their non-player characters. The study specifically addresses companion NPCs that are able to demonstrate emotionally believable behaviour and perform more human-like decision-making based on the player's (and their own) emotional state. Emotionally intelligent companions are likely to tempt the player into a continuous and more convincing interaction loop, strengthening the emotional connection that often accompanies long-term player-NPC companionship.
The project will incorporate artificial intelligence, machine learning and game level and character design, in addition to user psychology assessment. It is led by the School of Design and Informatics with the support of colleagues from the School of Applied Sciences. Due to the close location of the two schools, Abertay has a uniquely well suited environment for interdisciplinary collaborations between games technology and psychology. Members of the supervisory team have been working across these disciplines at Abertay for over 10 years.
The goal of the studentship is to produce a scholar who will advance the research in Human-Computer Interaction by narrowing the gap between affective computing and games. The student will join our machine learning research group and be part of a multidisciplinary research team across the Divisions of Cybersecurity, Games Technology and Mathematics, and Psychology. Abertay University is internationally recognised for its leading achievements in the aforementioned areas, bridging academia, research, industry and the community. This offers a wide range of expertise and a great nurturing environment for researchers. Moreover, the team will have access to the Emergent Technology Centre (ETC) within Abertay which offers specialised equipment for experimental games and IoT technology to create applications and experiences for immersive and other technologies. The student is expected to participate in national and international conferences and events.
The PhD studentship provides a package valued at around GBP 62,400. This includes a fully funded tax free stipend of GBP 15,009 per year over 3 and a half years, tuition fees, and a small travel and equipment budget. You will be expected to undertake limited teaching duties of no more than 70 hours per year, typically providing support to academic staff in computing laboratories. We provide training on this activity and it is a valuable part of career development.
A related master's degree is desirable but not essential. The successful candidate must have at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in computer science or another cognate discipline. The applicant is required to have a working knowledge and experience in programming and a background in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Skills in game design or experimental design and analysis are an asset but not essential. In addition, the candidate is expected to recruit and work with human participants, should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the interest to work at an interdisciplinary level.
For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.
The Studentship is available for a February or June 2020 start for a period of up to 3.5 years.
If you are selected for interview you will be required to complete an online Research Student Application Form which includes the submission of a research proposal. Guidance on how to write the proposal can be found here: https://www.abertay.ac.uk/study-apply/how-to-apply/how-to-apply/
Applicants are also encouraged to contact Dr. Salma ElSayed (s.elsayed@abertay.ac.uk) or Dr. David King (d.king@abertay.ac.uk) for advice on developing a proposal prior to submitting it.
Abertay University, in Dundee, Scotland, is a modern university with a global outlook, rooted in its local and national communities. In 2013 we marked the 125th anniversary of our foundation as an institution dedicated to supporting science, industry and the professions with a distinctive interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach to teaching, research and knowledge exchange. Abertay University has international recognition for activities in teaching and knowledge exchange on interactive media; social, psychological and computer sciences. It is home for undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in games, digital arts, cybersecurity and applied social science. Abertay was the first university in the world to offer degrees in Ethical Hacking, and the University continues to be recognised as an international leader in its field. Its Computer Games degrees have been ranked best in Europe for the fourth consecutive year. And since its formation in 1995, the Division of Psychology has grown to become one of the largest and most successful divisions at the university. Abertay's Psychology Department was ranked top out of the modern Scottish Universities for Research in the most recent national Research Excellence Framework review. The university's research strategy focuses on the creation of interdisciplinary links across various disciplines, in particular social scientists working actively with computer scientists in the delivery of practical research outputs.
Dundee is a lively, vibrant and student friendly city with world class tourist attractions, such as the recently opened V&A museum, while, at the same time, you are never more than a few minutes ride from the beautiful Scottish countryside. https://www.abertay.ac.uk/life/living-in-dundee-scotland/
PhD students are located in the Abertay Graduate School, where you will have access to our dedicated study and social spaces - a forum in which you can meet, work and learn with other researchers and postgraduates from across the University. We provide training and professional development opportunities to our postgraduate community, and offer help with funding applications, placement opportunities, teaching support, public engagement and outreach activity. https://www.abertay.ac.uk/schools/graduate-school/
The Studentship is available for a February or June 2020 start, for a period of up to 3.5 years.