Project title: Computational modelling of team foraging to understand human behaviour and cognition

Primary supervisor: Dr Alasdair Clarke (University of Essex)

Second supervisor: Dr Anna Hughes (University of Essex)

University: University of Essex, Department of Psychology

SeNSS Pathway: Psychology

Collaborative partner: US DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

Collaborative partner supervisors: Dr Jonathan Touryan (ARL) and Dr Russell Cohen Hoffing (ARL)

Degree structure: either a three-year PhD programme (+3), or a one year Masters degree followed by a three-year PhD programme (1+3). If you are applying for the 1+3, you will take the MSc Research Methods in Psychology

Project background

This studentship will investigate spatial exploration and how it is affected by social context. Using a foraging paradigm in a virtual environment, where human participants need to gather targets as quickly as possible, the project will investigate, characterise, and model how people explore complex environments, both on their own and also when they work as part of a team.

This studentship provides an exciting opportunity to make key theoretical contributions to our understanding of the cognitive processes underlying exploration behaviour, and to see applications of their research via the collaborative partner, the US DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory. The project will give the student a wealth of research experience both in an academic and an industry setting, and will be particularly suited to students who wish to develop their career working within or in collaboration with applied research settings.

 

Project aims and objectives

The key aims of the studentship are to:

  1. Assess how exploration behaviour changes in collaborative vs. competitive situations;

  2. How it is affected by an out-group “threat”; and,

  3. How it is affected by navigational aids.

The core objective is therefore to build knowledge of human behaviour during spatial exploration, and particularly how it is affected by common real-world factors. Dr Clarke and Dr Hughes have developed the foraging models that will form the basis of the computational work carried out in the project, whilst Dr Touryan and Dr Cohen Hoffing will provide support with running the experiments in ARL’s naturalistic virtual environment.


Training opportunities

A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors. Amongst other things, the successful candidate will:

  • Receive all the training they require for carrying out the experiments and modelling from visiting ARL, working with the supervisory team, and attending courses;

  • Be able to attend the University of Essex IADS Summer School;

  • Attend the PS947 (Advanced Statistics for Psychology Research) module - this will be part of the Masters degree that a 1+3 student would take, but a student taking a +3 PhD will be able to audit this module;

  • Be able to attend Proficio Courses on R, Bayesian Modelling, etc; and,  

  • Join one or more of the online reading/study groups that we recommend. 

 

Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills

The successful candidate will have a good degree in either:

  • Psychology, cognitive science, or a closely related discipline, with an interest in computational modelling; or,

  • Computer sciences, mathematics, or a closely related discipline, with an interest in psychology.

Ideally, they will also have some background in statistical programming (e.g. R), and a willingness to learn advanced statistics and modelling skills. Finally, they will have good interpersonal skills and will be excited to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. It would be desirable for candidates to be in a position to obtain a visa to visit the US.

 

Studentship details

This studentship will be taken as either a 1+3 year award (a one-year Masters followed by a three-year PhD) or a +3 award (a three-year PhD), either full-time or part-time.

 

Residential eligibility

Home or international students are eligible for a fully-funded award (fees will be paid, and they receive a stipend/salary).

How to apply for this studentship

This competition is now closed.