I welcome PhD students interested in the relationship between humans and robots, explored through Creative Robotics, Social Robotics, Cultural Robotics and Cognitive Robotics. These four fields share one core, robotics, and each meets a different discipline: the arts, social science, cultural studies and cognitive science. Creative Robotics sits at the heart of my research, offering a platform for innovation that transforms how we think about creativity, technology, and their intersection. I also supervise work in the other three fields and in the overlaps between them. My interest lies in projects that examine these fields from all angles, whether it’s through technical advancements or conceptual, practice-led approaches.
My supervision supports projects that challenge conventional ideas about what robots and AI can achieve, especially when it comes to exploring the creative, social, cultural and cognitive potential of these technologies in unique and experimental ways.
Research Interests
- Creative Robotics
This is the primary focus of my research and supervision. Creative robotics explores how robots can be used to extend human creativity and produce new forms of interaction, expression, and artistic exploration. I encourage projects that investigate robotics from both a technical perspective (e.g., building intelligent systems) and a creative one (e.g., using robots in art, design, or performance). Projects can range from creating robotic collaborators in artistic work to designing interactive installations and performances that blend human creativity with machine intelligence. - Social Robotics
Social robotics investigates how robots can interact with humans on a social and emotional level. This includes developing robotic companions, affective systems, and emotionally responsive robots for various applications such as mental health, elder care, and social well-being. I’m particularly interested in how creative approaches can enhance the social and emotional dimensions of robotics. - Cultural Robotics
Cultural robotics examines how robots are shaped by the cultures that design, adopt or resist them, and how they may in turn shape those cultures. It draws on anthropology, cultural studies and the humanities. Projects might explore cross-cultural differences in how people respond to robots, robots in cultural heritage, storytelling and tradition, or the cultural values built into robot design. - Cognitive Robotics
Cognitive robotics studies how robots can perceive, reason and learn through a body in a changing world. It draws on cognitive science, cognitive psychology and neuroscience, and uses AI methods to build that cognition. Projects might explore how robots learn from interaction, how they model human intentions and emotions, or how cognitive models can inform creative and social behaviour. - Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
HRI focuses on how people engage with robots in everyday life and specialised settings, and on how those encounters grow into longer-term relationships. Research in this area might explore the design of intuitive interfaces, study the emotional and cognitive responses to robots, or address the social implications of integrating robots into human environments. I support research that combines the creative and technical aspects of this interaction, whether through building new robotic systems or studying the psychology behind human responses to robots. - Interdisciplinary Robotics
I welcome projects that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries by integrating fields like robotics, AI, art, design, psychology, sociology, anthropology, cognitive science, health, and ethics. Interdisciplinary research can offer valuable insights into how robots are designed, understood, and used in creative, cultural, and social contexts. This approach is ideal for students who wish to explore the broader implications of robotics and AI beyond purely technical solutions.
Supervision Approach:
As your supervisor, I offer:
- Focus on Creative Robotics, and its neighbouring fields
My primary interest is in creative robotics, where I support projects that investigate how robots and AI can be employed in creative, artistic, or experimental contexts. I also supervise projects in social, cultural and cognitive robotics, and in the overlaps between them. Whether your project is technically focused or practice-led, I will help guide you in framing your research within the broader field of creative and experimental technology. - Support for Interdisciplinary Work
I encourage PhD research that integrates multiple fields, offering guidance on how to combine technical development with artistic or conceptual exploration. Whether your background is in robotics, AI, art, design, performance, psychology, social science, cultural studies or cognitive science, I help you approach your research in an interdisciplinary way. - Practice-Led Research
If your PhD involves creative practice, such as developing robotic artworks, performances, or installations, I provide support for practice-led methodologies. I work with you to ensure your creative output is well-documented and grounded in a strong research framework. - Theoretical Research
For students whose PhD focus is more theoretical, I provide support in developing robust research frameworks, literature reviews, and conceptual analysis. This includes exploring the philosophical, ethical, and societal implications of robotics and AI, and how these ideas can inform practical applications. - Flexibility Across the Technical-Artistic Spectrum
I welcome research at any point on the spectrum, from highly technical projects focused on robotics engineering and AI, to more conceptual or artistic explorations of human-robot interaction. My supervision is adaptable to the nature of your research.
Supervisory Team
In addition to my supervision, other co-supervisors will be brought onto the team based on the specific needs and focus of your PhD project. These co-supervisors will be selected to ensure you have access to the expertise required for your research, which may include specialists in fields such as robotics, art and design, creative computing, human-computer interaction, AI, psychology, social science, cultural studies, cognitive science, or other interdisciplinary areas. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive support throughout your PhD journey.
Application Process
For information about entry requirements, funding opportunities, and other application details, please visit the following links:
https://www.arts.ac.uk/research/phd-and-mphil-degrees
https://www.arts.ac.uk/creative-computing-institute/courses/mphil-and-phd-in-creative-computing
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to me.
