[robocup-worldwide] Fwd: Call for PhD Program applications Robotics and Gender, Deadline Sept. 15(!)

Fri Sep 9 10:52:14 EDT 2016

Dear RoboCupers,

there still is time for applications for the following subject: 
Telepresence Robotics from the perspective of gender

Robots that enable remote persons or artificial entities to have a physical presence, have increasingly become part of the public consciousness. Such robots serve as guides in museums, exhibitions and shops, or as avatars during meetings or in care situations. Work on the seal robot Paro indicates that a physical presence opens up new forms of human-machine interaction, which leads to new questions concerning the design of technical artifacts. What expectations towards robots do specific groups of users and others involved have? What form of embodiment and interaction is acceptable by users? The planned dissertation project aims to research both functional and design aspects of telepresence robots. Special attention should be paid to the interaction component, which is central to the domain of care (e.g. caring for the elderly, interaction with children). Likewise, gender aspects are especially relevant. A basic telepresence robot, which can be adapted with respect to functionality and design, will serve for user evaluations. A similar system at a Brazilian partner university can be used for comparative studies. Research fields relevant to the project are (technical) computer science, design and gender, as well as diversity studies. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of these fields.

The subject has a strong focus on technological aspects, such that a robotics background together with a willingness to do some additional studies on gender and diversity should be a good basis to tackle the problem.

There is scholarship of 1500,- EUR per month for a duration of 3 years for the PhD student plus some funds for attending conferences. The universities of the joint program are located in Braunschweig and Wolfenbüttel in the north of Germany. Working language will be English.

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to  contact me.

Regards

Reinhard Gerndt

---
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Reinhard Gerndt
Internationalisierungsbeauftragter
International Affairs Coordinator

Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften 
- Fachhochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel -
Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences
Fakultät Informatik - Computer Science Department
Salzdahlumer Str. 46-48
38302 Wolfenbüttel, Germany

Tel.: +49 (0) 5331 939 32120 / 31005
FAX: +49 (0) 5331 939 31004
E-Mail: r.gerndt at ostfalia.de <mailto:r.gerndt at ostfalia.de>
Web: www.ostfalia.de <http://www.ostfalia.de/>
http://public.ostfalia.de/~gerndt <http://public.ostfalia.de/~gerndt>

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> Anfang der weitergeleiteten Nachricht:
> 
> Von: Reinhard Gerndt <r.gerndt at ostfalia.de <mailto:r.gerndt at ostfalia.de>>
> Betreff: Call for PhD Program applications Robotics and Gender, Deadline Sept. 15(!)
> Datum: 1. September 2016 um 13:11:03 MESZ
> An: robocup-worldwide at cc.gatech.edu <mailto:robocup-worldwide at cc.gatech.edu>, "robocup-humano." <robocup-humanoid at cc.gatech.edu <mailto:robocup-humanoid at cc.gatech.edu>>
> 
> Dear RoboCupers,
> 
> please consider applying for the KoMMa.G PhD program. 
> 
> The program offers a very interesting perspective by combining robotics (and other technical disciplines) with gender studies. If you have a background in robotics and an interest in gender studies or have a gender/diversity science background with relevant capabilities to design robots, you should apply. 
> 
> One of the research threads to follow in the program is to improve telepresence (and similar) robots by applying results of gender/diversity research. However, you are free to propose your own PhD project within the framework of the overall program.
> 
> If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to drop me an email (r.gerndt at ostfalia.de <mailto:r.gerndt at ostfalia.de>).
> 
> Regards
> 
> Reinhard Gerndt
> 
> 
> The Doctoral Program “Konfigurationen von Mensch, Maschine und Geschlecht” (Gendered Configurations of Humans and Machines. Interdisciplinary Analyses of Technology) invites applications for 15 Georg Christoph Lichtenberg scholarships for PhD students 
> 
> 
> Deadline: 15(!) September 2016
> The new interdisciplinary doctoral program “Configurations of Humans, Machines and Gender. Interdisciplinary Analyses of technology” funded by the federal state of Lower Saxony is a joint program conducted by the following institutions:
> Braunschweig University of Technology: Institute of Flight Guidance, Department for the History of Science and Pharmacy, Institute for Communications Technology, Institute of Philosophy, Institute of Psychology, Institute of Steel Construction, Institute for Engineering Design, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences: Faculties of Computer Science, Social Affairs, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and Braunschweig University of Art: Institute for Media Studies. 
> 
> 
>         15 Georg Christoph Lichtenberg scholarships of 1.500 EUR per month 
> 
>         are available for successful candidates.
> 
> 
> These may be awarded for a period of up to 3 years from January 2017. The program is hosted by the institutions listed above (Braunschweig and Wolfenbüttel).
> 
> 
> This collaborative program seeks to explore how human-machine-configurations that support inequality and injustice arise and which alternative configurations can be envisioned and created. Gender, as an analytical category, is placed at the center of this approach. Desirable research projects include specific case studies and technology development projects informed by critical reflections on gender. The disciplines in which the projects will be situated are either science and technology (or related) studies or technical and engineering disciplines, but the researchers will be required to cooperate across the boundaries of these two types of disciplines. Ideal candidates would already have experience in this kind of cooperation.
> 
> The program focuses on four research fields, in which the Ph.D. candidates and their supervisors will work across the boundaries of the social sciences, media studies, the humanities and the natural and engineering sciences:
> 
> Abstraction and Modelling
> Creativity and Design
> Materialising/ Virtualising / Representation
> Networks and Emotions.
> 
> The doctoral program is chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Corinna Bath (speaker, TU Braunschweig and Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences) and Prof. Dr. Bettina Wahrig (co-speaker, TU Braunschweig). For the research program, the supervisors and their topics as well as grant conditions see https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/kommag <https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/kommag>. Informal inquiries can be directed at: c.bath at tu-braunschweig.de <mailto:c.bath at tu-braunschweig.de>. 
> 
> Requirements: Applicants should have an above-average degree (generally master’s) in a related discipline. We expect you to be able to communicate in German and/or English and to be prepared to engage with topics and methods of gender studies within the context of the research training group. We welcome graduates eager to engage in interdisciplinary work that transcends the boundaries between technical disciplines and the humanities, and to get access to methods and concepts outside their core disciplines.
> 
> Please submit your application by 15(!) September 2016 (in the form of a C.V., cover letter, scans of degree certificates and other certificates of employment,) as well as an outline of your proposed Ph.D. project, including a preliminary timetable (maximum 5 pages), preferably in a single pdf file, to komma-g at tu-braunschweig.de <mailto:komma-g at tu-braunschweig.de>.
> Please try to align your proposed project with on of the research fields outlined on the website, noting that some of the projects have specific requirements. You can find details on our website:
> https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/kommag <https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/kommag>
> 

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