Serious games for cyber security education

Supervisory Team: V. Sassone and B. Halak

PhD Supervisor: Vlad Sassone

Project description:

We are looking for a high quality student with knowledge, expertise and interest in cyber security, game design and education for a multi-disciplinary PhD aimed at creating innovative resources for cyber security education using serious games. A specific but not exclusive target for our approach is high school students and more generally children, and would at all time entertain the possibility of focussing also on senior citizens. An important and qualify aspect of the work is to validate the games that will be designed against the founding principles of education science and a set of pre-determined –but game-dependent– learning outcomes. Our research interest in the area of serious games for cyber security education dates back a few years and has already led to a completed PhD and 6 games (see e.g. cyber-warriors.soton.ac.uk) and the initial plan is to continue to refine this platform and add to it.

Funding for this project is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates across the themes of Digital, Physical and Biological systems to provide a diverse and interconnected cohort training environment. As well as carrying out research training in a world-leading research group, membership of CISDnS will provide the opportunity for you to be exposed and trained to handle the interdisciplinary challenges faced in the real-world via a Systems Thinking approach. You will learn about the wider challenges of research and innovation within the Defence & Security sector from both your peers and the numerous industry partners supporting the Centre.

This PhD studentship is open only to UK applicants. This project is suitable for applicants with [any prerequisites]. We welcome applicants onto the CDT from underrepresented groups.

To discuss aspect related to the CISDnS CDT please contact the directorate, Email cisdns@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: 31^st July 2024.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: Full-time studentships will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £23,500 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities. A number of studentships are available and will be awarded on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply onlineby clicking the ‘Apply’ button, above.

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “Integrated PhD in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence and Security (2024-25)”

In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor V. Sassone

Applications should include:

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date