Sound Interactions in the Metaverse (SIM) CDT

About

SIM is an exciting opportunity to study in a collegiate research environment with world-leading academics, companies and third sector organisations conducting challenge-led research around sound related metaverse technologies. We are looking for a diverse group of motivated candidates interested in building cross-disciplinary skills and expertise linking levels of research across technical development and testing, content design, user experience, and evaluation of broader impact on society. 

The metaverse has been heralded as the third wave of media convergence, and where the real and virtual, physical and digital meet. Now a household term, it encompasses all aspects of extended reality (XR) and supporting technologies (e.g. 5G, AI and Machine Learning). Alongside entertainment, the metaverse is set to significantly impact global industries including healthcare, education and telecommunications. 

Centred around the development of immersive and interactive technologies, this PhD training programme exploits York’s network of audio and related expertise around the metaverse, and collaborative interdisciplinary working. It encompasses a breadth of topics rooted in audio engineering, communications, computer science, gaming, music, arts, education, psychology, linguistics and health sciences.

Through this interdisciplinary programme we will train the next generation of researchers and industry professionals able to make a difference in the metaverse space. The cohort training programme will be designed to up-skill individuals with necessary expertise to conduct cutting edge interdisciplinary research that combines methodologies and approaches from multiple fields including, but not limited to, audio engineering, programming for XRtechnologies, perceptual testing, empirical paradigms for audio research, qualitative and quantitative data analysis etc…

The training programme has significant industry support, with partners including Sonical, Sony Interactive, BBC and many others. Each PhD project is supported by two academic supervisors based at the University of York and an industry partner who will provide support through additional supervision and facilities, with the possibilities of hosted internships within the lifetime of the project.

Opportunities for the Students

Through this interdisciplinary programme we will train the next generation of researchers and industry professionals able to make a difference in the metaverse space. The cohort training programme will be designed to up-skill individuals with necessary expertise to conduct cutting edge interdisciplinary research related to sound creation, production and perception in the metaverse that combines methodologies and approaches from multiple fields including, but not limited to, audio engineering, programming for XRtechnologies, perceptual testing, empirical paradigms for audio research, qualitative and quantitative data analysis etc.

The student cohort will be co-located at the AudioLab at the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology with a training programme to include peer-learning and cohort activities, and ,design and delivery of an outreach programme. This is in addition to a personalised training plan designed with the supervisors to upskill students to their specific projects. Twice a year whole cohort workshops will take place with all supervisors and industry partners invited to attend /contribute.

This is an exciting opportunity to study in a collegiate research environment with world-leading academics, companies and third sector organisations conducting challenge-led research around sound related metaverse technologies. We are looking for a diverse group of motivated candidates interested in building cross-disciplinary skills and expertise linking levels of research across technical development and testing, content design, user experience, and evaluation of broader impact on society.