Connectionists: PhD studentship at Queen's University Belfast

[Peter Dayan]

Ph.D. studentship: "The World of Uncertainty"

The World of Uncertainty will be an educational computer game. In it
decision-makers will learn how to manage scientific uncertainty. They
will practice until they are as good as a bookmaker.

Currently there is a big gap in understanding between those who are
happy modelling uncertainty (such as scientists and bookmakers) and
those who want to make decisions based on simple stories (such as a
politician or civil servants). In newspaper articles or TV News
complex subjects such as global warming are reduced to one or two
simple narratives. But in computer games we are not forced into a
linear narrative. Players can explore alternatives, trying out
different options, creating their own narratives as they wander
through a world of uncertainty.

The EPSRC is funding Queen's University Belfast, University College
London and Brunel University to build and evaluate an educational
computer game, in which players will learn to manage scientific
uncertainty. The project proposal is online at (at
http://is.mgt.qub.ac.uk/research/uncertainty/world_of_uncertainty.pdf).

The School of Management and Economics in QUB is now offering a
postgraduate research studentship to work as part of the project team
and complete a Ph.D. or M.Phil. programme of research. You will need
to develop a psychological understanding of what decision-makers,
learners and their teachers would require in order to effectively
improve understanding of uncertainty and a mathematical understanding
of how to explicitly represent uncertainty inside a computer game. A
computer games developer will then build a prototype game, which you
will then test in order to evaluate its educational effects.

Applicants should hold at least a 2.1 Honours degree (or
equivalent). You must have, through your degree or elsewhere,
experience in, or skills applicable to, the mathematics of
uncertainty, and the psychology or sociology of decision-making.

A stipend of 12,000 pounds sterling will be paid, along with
postgraduate research fees for UK and EU students.

Applicants should forward to Mrs Sonia O'Hare, School Administrator, a
detailed curriculum vitae in conjunction with an outline proposal of
how their skills would contribute to each of the stages of the
project. <s.ohare at qub.ac.uk>.

For further information and particulars, please contact Dr. Brian Webb
(e-mail: b.webb at qub.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)28 90 27 3592).

Closing Date for applications: 25 August 2006.

Starting Date: End September 2006 or as close to this date as can be
arranged.

The School of Management and Economics reserves the right to withdraw
the offer of a studentship and alter any terms and conditions stated.