Sociotechnical Futures & Digital Methods (Research)

Research societal transformations coming from the AI revolution, along with its policy implications.

You'll benefit from insights from a number of disciplines and research groups, including social and policy sciences, economics, psychology and health.

This programme is only available through the Southwest Doctoral Training Partnership. Applications open from October each year and close around January. More information is available to Study as a South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) student at Bath.

If you are interested in a PhD on this topic but not through the DTP, then please apply for a PhD in the Politics, Languages & International Studies.

Programme content
Learning

• Doctoral skills online

• Doctoral skills workshop

• Research project

• Supervisory team

Research content
This course is well-suited to those interested in analysing the challenges posed by AI and its diverse societal impacts. You'll examine the fundamental theoretical and methodological knowledge covering a range of specialized themes surrounding sociotechnical futures such as cybersecurity and the political implications of digitalization; the use of AI and algorithms across various domains; technology, automation and climate change.

The course includes new and interdisciplinary academic approaches, innovative qualitative and quantitative methods, policy agendas, creative thinking and rigorous data.

This programme includes a significant piece of research aimed at enabling you to contribute to the academic community through a large written thesis (typically up to 90,000 words).

For interdisciplinary pathways the Lead Supervisor will be from the applicant’s home institution and the second supervisor must be from a different discipline (a different sub-discipline is not sufficient; however, the second could still be from the same institution but a different discipline). The Lead and Second Supervisors must be employed at one of the SWDTP’s partner institutions – Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth or UWE Bristol.

Professional Development
Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our DoctoralSkills workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.