The main areas of interest within this subject include pedagogical applications of online virtual environments, technologies for supporting visually impaired people, cloud computing and virtualisation, spatial and other data visualisation techniques, avatar animation and portability, creative on-line design, internet technologies, image processing, mobile device technologies and other media applications. The specialist knowledge of our staff is resident in image manipulation, animation, virtual worlds, gaming, 3D and 2D modelling, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet technologies and mobile media technology.

Related projects include the pedagogical use of second life; the calibration of satellite images from the high resolution stereo camera (Mars Express); the application of mobile and desktop technology to support visual impairment; electronic systems modelling and design, and controller optimisation and implementation. Much of our research in this area is collaborative in nature and includes joint ventures with industry (e.g. Transmitton Ltd, John Henry Group, Cambridge Recycling Services Ltd, Goodrich Corporation, Sustainable Technology Solutions Ltd, I-Dash Ltd, Trevor Benton Ltd, Quickmap Ltd).

Researcher profile

Kenneth J. Spiteri is a Senior Lead Consultant with an IT consultancy firm, providing business systems, solutions and IT consultancy services. He is also currently also studying for a part-time PhD in Science and Technology, specialising in Cloud Computing concepts. The research is both relevant to his professional work and also significant to new academic developments in this field. Whilst research may be more arduous and can take longer to gain the PhD award when compared to full-time study, he believes this is outweighed by the enhancement in his contribution to this IT sector that will arise through being at the academic forefront of his professional career.

Supervision and support

When you commence your PhD you will be allocated a first, second and third supervisor. Your most regular contact will be with your first supervisor and you will meet at least every two weeks with email communication to supplement face-to-face contact. Communication with each of your second and third supervisors will occur according to your specialist needs. You will also be registered on all appropriate research mailing lists to ensure that you are fully informed of all research events, and will be encouraged to participate in relevant activities to your area of study.

Facilities

Our facilities include a range of high-specification workstations, audiovisual electronic hardware, and specialised hardware and software for media applications. We have specialist knowledge in image manipulation, video systems, animation, virtual worlds, gaming, 3D and 2D modelling, audio applications, satellite technologies, artificial intelligence, internet technologies and mobile media technology.

Funding

Aside from self-funding or funding by your employer, charities and trusts (competitively sought after, as are Research Council Awards), career, graduate, and professional study loans may be available. Visit: www.family-action.org.uk for information on educational trusts, or www.direct.gov.uk for bank loans at competitive rates. Alternatively, visit your local high-street bank for more information.

Career development and training

You will attend a compulsory programme of courses administered by the Faculty of Science & Technology and will be encouraged to participate in research activities both within the department and externally at seminars and workshops.

• Dr. Tim Rowsell, BSc, PhD; Mr. Adrian Winckles, BSc, MSc (Senior Lecturers) - cloud computing, virtualisation services
• Dr. Mike Hobbs, BSc, PhD; Ms. Elaine Brown, BSc; Mr. Steven Harris, BSc; (Senior Lecturers) - computer gaming, including applications for the visually impaired, virtual environments, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction
• Dr. Christina Luca, BSc, PhD; Mr. Tim Reynolds, BSc; (Senior Lecturers) - web semantics and business applications
• Dr. George Wilson, BSc, PhD; Dr Allen Brown, BSc (Senior Lecturers) - image processing and spatial data representation, novel applications of signal processing

Candidates seeking admission to the degree of MPhil or MPhil with possibility of transfer to PhD will normally be required to hold a first or upper second class honours degree of a university, or any other institution of higher education in the UK with degree-awarding powers or a qualification which is regarded by Anglia Ruskin as equivalent to a first or upper second class honours degree.