Fwd: Open PhD Competition in Extreme Citizen Science

[Spike (Chris Foote)]

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Spike


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Open PhD Competition in Extreme Citizen Science
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:41:41 +0000
From: Haklay, Muki <m.ha...@ucl.ac.uk>
To: ....



Dear all,

I would be grateful if you could forward this message to people who
might be interested in this competition � apologies for cross-posting

Best regards

Muki Haklay

*Open PhD Competition in Extreme Citizen Science*

**

*Duration*� 3 years

**

*Funding*The scholarship covers UCL tuition fees and provides a stipend
of �15,590 per annum tax free. Travel expenses and research equipment
will be provided to the successful candidate

**

*Funding Body*EPSRC

**

*Vacancy Information*

This is an open call for a prospective PhD student to propose a novel
and exciting project to develop new methods in Extreme Citizen Science,
or which addresses a particularly interesting or unusual problem.

The Extreme Citizen Science (ExCiteS) group at UCL is a collaborative
and interdisciplinary research team, with the vision to challenge the
way we do traditional science and engineering. While existing Citizen
Science practices assume that educated citizens can participate in
scientific data collection, but not in formulating research questions
and/or in the analysis of results, we believe that the greatest future
impacts of science are likely to be gained when almost everyone is
empowered to participate in research and use scientific tools to improve
their environment locally and share the knowledge globally.

Extreme Citizen Science is essentially science by citizens, where people
take real ownership of the issues that concern them. Regardless of their
level of literacy or education people can collect scientifically valid
data to evidence, illustrate and frame the issue, then visualise and
analyse the results to subsequently develop strategies in order to
address it. Our team is working together to develop tools and
methodologies that facilitate this process in which anyone (from
individuals to groups and communities) can start their own scientific
investigation. ExCiteS tools are developed and expanded directly with
people in their communities allowing for co-created knowledge to be
shared and used in a process of empowerment and action. In a technical
sense, in ExCiteS we engage in a process of creating new languages which
we technologically facilitate and which enable communities that are not
in conversation to engage in a conversation, which has results and
changes what is happening in that particular context � whether it is the
airplanes flying over Isleworth or the activities of Eco-guards in Congo.

To find more about us you can visit our website
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/excites/ , read our blog
http://uclexcites.wordpress.com/category/articles/ and look at
presentations by our directors, Muki Haklay (see
https://povesham.wordpress.com/tag/citizen-science/ ) and Jerome Lewis
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXPfryZxUs0 ).

*Studentship Description*

We are looking for applicants who have research proposals that fall
within and complement our aims and objectives. You should be able to
provide a clear research idea that will contribute to or extend ExCiteS
activities, but which will be theoretically sophisticated and
methodologically novel. Your research proposal needs to explain what
your contribution will be, the methods that you will use, an estimation
of further support (beyond the studentship) that you will need to
complete your studies, a timeline of key activities and also show how
your work could complement our vision and other activities of the group.

**

*Person Specification*

Applicants should possess an honours degree (1st Class or 2:1 minimum),
and a Masters degree in any discipline that contributes to the
development of ExCiteS methods and theories. Currently the ExCiteS group
consists of several PhD students and researchers from a multiplicity of
backgrounds and skills: artists, planners, anthropologists, computer
scientists, and geographers with knowledge in community development,
electronic engineering, and conservation. Your application will not be
limited to a specific discipline. Non-academic experience that relates
to or contributes to your research is an asset but not a requirement.
You will also need to demonstrate experience in project management and
demonstrate that you can set yourself long term goals and achieve them,
and be able to work with the diverse, multidisciplinary group that
ExCiteS is. Language skills beyond English are desirable.

**

*Eligibility*

Applications are invited from UK and EU citizenship holders.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to cover the difference in tuition
fee costs for people from outside the EU, though you are welcome to
apply if you are non-EU if you can self-fund the difference in tuition fees.

**

*Start Date*

The PhD studies will commence between February 2013 and October 2013, at
time that is suitable to the candidate.

**

*Application Procedure*

Applicants should send a cover letter, 4 pages research proposal,
examples of academic writing (e.g. Masters dissertation), outputs from
past work, 2 reference letters and CV to Gail Austen-Price
(g.auste...@ucl.ac.uk <mailto:g.auste...@ucl.ac.uk> ). The cover
letter should include a personal statement explaining your interest in
citizen science, why you are interested in our project and how you would
see your work integrated into ExCiteS vision and activities. You are
welcome to contact Gail, Muki, Jerome and other members of the group
with queries about your research proposal or if you would like to have
an informal call about it.

**

*Closing Date*

26 January 2013

Muki Haklay: Professor of GIScience

Extreme Citizen Science (ExCiteS) research group

Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering
University College London (UCL)
Gower St. London WC1E 6BT

T: +44 20 7679 2745 E: m.ha...@ucl.ac.uk <mailto:m.ha...@ucl.ac.uk> W:
www.ucl.ac.uk/excites <http://www.ucl.ac.uk/excites>

Mapping for Change - www.mappingforchange.org.uk
<http://www.mappingforchange.org.uk/>

Blog: povesham.wordpress.com <http://povesham.wordpress.com/>