Applications of AI in highways safety science research: development of a decision support tool

This funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, set in-line with the Research Council values. For 2024/5, this will be £19,237 per year. The tax-free stipend will be paid monthly. This PhD Studentship also includes a Full-Time Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years. The funding is subject to your continued registration on the research degree, making satisfactory progression within your PhD, as well as attendance on and successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice.

All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status.

Application Closing Date:
Midday (UK Time) on Monday 30^th September 2024 for a start date of the 3^rd February 2025.

How to Apply

To apply, please follow the below steps:

Complete the BCU Online Application Form
Complete the Doctoral Studentship Proposal Form in full, ensuring that you quote the project ID. You will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement on the BCU online application form.
Upload two references to your online application form (at least one of which must be an academic reference).
Upload your qualification(s) for entry onto the research degree programme. This will be Bachelor/Master’s certificate(s) and transcript(s).
International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification. Please see the list of English language qualifications accepted here. Please check the individual research degree course page for the required scores.

FAQs

Where do I include the project ID?	You must include the project ID listed in the advert on your completed Doctoral Studentship Proposal. There is a field for this in Section 2 of the form under ‘Research Project’. If you do not provide the correct project ID, we would be unable to review your expression of interest for this project.
Do I need to complete a research proposal when the topic has already been set?	Yes, you must complete the Doctoral Studentship Research Proposal in full. This Research Proposal acts as part of your expression of interest, so without this, we will not be able to consider you when the projects are set up.
Can one of my referees be the project lead listed in the advert?	No, the project lead listed in this advert cannot be a referee for any expressions of interest for this project.
What if I want to apply for more than one funded project being advertised?	You can apply for more than one funding scheme being advertised. To apply for multiple opportunities, you only need to complete one online application form to study at BCU. However, you mustsubmit a separate Doctoral Studentship Proposal for each project you want to be considered for as part of your application to BCU. To confirm, please complete one BCU online application form but upload separate Doctoral Studentship Proposals for each opportunity you wish to be considered for.
I have applied before the deadline, but now want to be considered for a different funded project advertised. Can I switch my application?	No, we will only consider your application for the funded projects you applied for by the deadline.
What if I miss the deadline, can I still apply?	No, unfortunately we are unable to accept applications for funded projects that are submitted after the deadline. You can still apply for a research degree at BCU, but applications for a funded project must be received before the deadline: Midday (UK time) on Monday 30^th September 2024.
The advert says the start date is February 2025. Is this flexible?	At this time, we are only able to offer February 2025 starts for these funded projects.

If your question is not answered above and you need any further information, please use the contact details below:

For enquiries about the project content, please contact: chris.roberts@bcu.ac.uk
For enquiries about the application procedure, please contact: research.admissions@bcu.ac.uk

Project Title:

Applications of AI in highways safety science research: development of a decision support tool

Project Lead:

Dr Chris Roberts

Project ID:

CEBE- 42115232

Project Description:

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in data science and management are myriad but the UK government company, National Highways (managers and members of their supply chain) have had varied experiences with this disruptive digital innovation. Big data sets are frequently transformed into ‘information’ but subsequent steps to acquire ‘knowledge’ and ‘wisdom’ from information presented remain elusive due to scant interpretation capabilities within, and the sheer voluminous size of information presented to, industry practitioners. These issues often result in the inherent capabilities of AI not being used to their optimum potential to resolve the most significant problems (most notably ‘safety science’ related areas) within the business. Worst still, incorrect applications of AI are adopted with disastrous results not least for the reputation of the technology.

Anticipated findings and contributions to knowledge:

This present research proposes to develop a decision support tool to generate a reflexive process solution that allows users to critique, appraise and evaluate how subjective applications of AI in various ‘safety science’ contexts produce optimum (or otherwise) results.

Grounded theory will be adopted within a participant action research context to gather primary data (via ‘exploratory mixed methods’) through observational research, questionnaires and interviews with National Highways (and members of their supply chain) staff. Machine learning algorithms and/or multivariate statistical analysis will be used to validate a process modelling tool that will drive organisational learning to inform future policy guidance on the optimum applications of AI.

Person Specification:

Successful applicants will have graduated (or be due to graduate) with an undergraduate first-class degree and/or MSc distinction in a relevant field of science. Preferably, applicants must also demonstrate good knowledge of applicable digital technologies.

International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification, such as International English Language Test System (IELTS) or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.