Developing Smart Games for Autism Research and Assessment

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of Engineering

Funded period: October 2015 – September 2018

Seeking a doctoral candidate with exceptional skills in child psychology and/or informatics, and an interest to develop attractive, purposeful gaming and wearable motion analysis paradigms for new methods of movement- based autism spectrum disorder assessment and research.

Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a childhood developmental disorder that affects as many as 1 in 68 individuals. Yet, although early assessment is known to enable the most effective treatment, access to medical diagnosis can be delayed for months or years due to difficult and uncertain clinical criteria. New, accessible assessment methods are needed.

This project addresses autism from a motor perspective, a theoretical shift providing new insight into its aetiology, and new targets for its assessment. In particular, the project will capitalize on the rise of wearable sensors and accessible smart devices with embedded motion sensors together with new scientific understanding of the importance of early motor deficits in ASD to achieve a step-change in autism spectrum disorder research and assessment, through the use of purposeful games. Smart devices with their accurate, multimodal sensors, coupled wearable devices, and engaging screenplay are an under-exploited resource for ASD research and diagnosis.

The successful candidate will be based within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Dr. Jonathan Delafield-Butt, primary supervisor) and in Biomedical Engineering (Prof. Phil Rowe, second supervisor). The successful candidate will have scope and vision for achieving research and/or commercial success in development of novel, bespoke smart device paradigms for the early detection of childhood psychopathology, especially autism spectrum disorder. An interest in motor control and movement is beneficial.

This is a new and exciting area of scientific and technological advance. Please feel free to contact Dr. Delafield-Butt with any questions.

How to Apply:
Email the following documents to hass-scholarships@strath.ac.uk
• A 500-word research proposal (explaining how you will address the project as outlined above, and indicating your areas of expertise and future direction)
• Two academic references
• A curriculum vitae
• Degree transcripts and certificates
• An English language qualification (if required)

Academic lead contact details: Dr Jonathan Delafield-Butt.

Email/telephone:jonathan.delafield-butt@strath.ac.uk<mailto:jonathan.delafield-butt@strath.ac.uk>; +44 (0) 141 444 8053