Message posted on 08/02/2019
The Future of Data Storage and the Future of Data Need: a PhD in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) - Material Social Futures, Lancaster University
The Future of Data Storage and the Future of Data Need: a PhD in Human <br>Computer Interaction (HCI) <br> <br>To start: October 2019 <br> <br>Deadline for Applications: Friday, March 29th, 2019 <br> <br>This is a call for applications for a three-year fully funded PhD <br>studentship for UK and EU citizens in the Leverhulme Trust PhD Training <br>Centre in Material Social Futures (http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/msf/) at <br>Lancaster University. <br> <br>Topic: The invention of new materials, such as nanostructures, has <br>created much hyperbole as well as concern. Nanostructures are in the <br>size range of 1 to 100 nm; minute beyond everyday understanding yet <br>capable, in theory at least, of being assembled into new shapes and <br>structures. In the computing industry, these structures are expected to <br>be revolutionary; offering, amongst other things, the promise of quantum <br>data storage. This affects not just the way data might be stored and <br>encrypted but the scale of data storage. Indeed, with nanotechnology, <br>manufacturers might be able to produce data storage materials at costs <br>that are so low that the data storage becomes virtually free. However, <br>and as any economist would observe, when the value of a commodity <br>becomes almost nil, demand for it is likely to become infinitely large. <br>In this case, users (whether individuals, companies or governments) <br>might stop asking why they want to store data or what they want to do <br>with it once stored, and instead start saving everything – irrespective <br>of worth or value. Indeed, with ‘nano-data-storage’, the world might <br>become flooded with ‘digital dirt’. This is to put it colourfully, <br>but is this ‘store everything’ future desirable? If not, why not? What <br>is the alternative? Besides, is this ‘digital dirt’ scenario <br>misrepresenting how users might leverage nano-storage? Their behaviours <br>might be affected, by, for example, innovative design that makes them <br>think differently about purpose and value. New forms of HCI might be <br>enabled. Indeed, how will people interact with data storage? ‘Digital <br>housework’ that involves clearing out unwanted data might become a norm. <br>All these and more are legitimate topics to be investigated in this <br>forward-thinking research project. <br> <br>The appointed candidate will undertake their PhD research alongside PhDs <br>researching the materials science aspects of this topic, in particular <br>related to the devising of nano-scale data storage materials. These and <br>other PhDs will all be members of and participants in a multi-stranded <br>PhD research training programme in Material Social Futures. The future <br>of data storage and data need is one important part of this programme. <br> <br>The Leverhulme PhD Training Centre for Material Social Futures brings <br>together concepts and approaches from across the disciplines to help <br>produce futures that people want and the world needs. The doctoral <br>training is a major new strategic collaborative partnership between the <br>vibrant research community of the University’s Institute for Social <br>Futures (http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/social-futures/) and the Materials <br>Science Institute <br>(http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/materials-science-institute/) Lancaster <br>University is one of the top 10 universities in the UK. <br> <br>Supervisors <br>The PhD will be supervised by Prof. Richard Harper: <br>https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/scc/about-us/people/richard-harper; and/ or <br>Dr Mark Rouncefield: <br>https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/scc/about-us/people/mark-rouncefield <br>m.rouncefield@lancaster.ac.uk. <br> <br>Further Details <br>- The PhD is for 3 years duration and is awardable to any EU citizen; <br>- Payment of academic fees; <br>- A Maintenance Stipend (£14,777 pa); <br>- Access to a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) (£800 pa) for <br>reimbursement of research-related expenses including – but not limited <br>to – conference attendance, training courses and equipment. <br>- Additional research costs (such as entailed in fieldwork) will be <br>supported as appropriate; <br>- Access to a range of training and development provided by Lancaster <br>University, the Material Social Futures PhD Programme, and the Institute <br>for Social Futures and the Materials Science Institute; <br>- The Material Social Futures PhD programme will offer optional <br>internships (including international placements) in the second and or <br>third year of training. <br> <br>Person Specification: <br>- Candidates will preferably have a background and academic interest in <br>any combination of HCI and computer science, sociology, anthropology or <br>related science and technology studies; <br>- Candidates must have qualifications of the standard of Bachelor’s <br>degree at first or upper second class level, and may also benefit from <br>having a suitable Master’s degree or equivalent (or will have completed <br>a Master’s degree by the starting date October 2019) in a relevant <br>discipline. <br> <br>Application Information: Please send enquiries about the vacancy and <br>applications by email to Richard Harper (r.harper@lancaster/ac/uk) or <br>Mark Rouncefield (m.rouncefied@lancaster.ac.uk). <br> <br>How to apply: <br>- A full CV, including two named referees (one of whom should be your <br>most recent academic tutor/supervisor); <br>- A copy of Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree transcript (or copy of <br>equivalent qualifications); <br>- A letter of application (not exceeding two pages of A4) outlining your <br>suitability for a PhD and <br>explaining how you would approach the research; <br>- An example of postgraduate level written work (e.g. a research <br>article, chapter, or essay). <br> <br>Email applications to either of the supervisors above. <br> <br>Deadline: March 29th 2019 <br> <br>Candidates invited for an interview will be eligible to claim reasonable <br>UK travel expenses to attend. <br> <br>_______________________________________________ <br>EASST's Eurograd mailing list <br>Eurograd (at) lists.easst.net <br>Unsubscribe or edit subscription options: http://lists.easst.net/listinfo.cgi/eurograd-easst.net <br> <br>Meet us via https://twitter.com/STSeasst <br> <br>Report abuses of this list to Eurograd-owner@lists.easst.netview formatted text
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