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Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of Organizations, Systems and People within the Faculty of Business and Law and will be supervised by Dr Aamir Amin, Professor Mark Xu and Dr Zeeshan Bhatti.

The aging population is a prevalent demographic trend in both developed and developing countries, presenting various social challenges and economic burdens (Qian et al., 2021). As individuals age, they often require health services and social support, making the elderly a key group in addressing health and wellbeing disparities (Tyrväinen et al., 2018). 

As the nature of family relationships evolves, family sizes decline, and more women participate in the workforce, traditional caregiving models are under strain (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2016). The potential of new and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, particularly sensor-based AI or AI powered humanoid robots, is often heralded by policymakers for its ability to alleviate pressure on health and social care services, promote independence, ensure consistency and quality of care, and reduce costs (Hutchings, 2020; NHS, 2020). It can offer a new and substantial contribution to the care of older adults, supplementing existing care provision, lessening the load on family caregivers, and enhancing the quality of care (Meskó et al., 2018; Ienca et al., 2018).

However, the perception of such technology among various stakeholders is not well understood, posing challenges to its adoption and implementation. Given the significant impact of stakeholders' attitudes on technological advancement (Sartori & Bocca, 2023), understanding public perception is crucial for AI developers. With the increasing reliance on AI in social care for the elderly, there is a pressing need to investigate the perception of multiple stakeholders, including policymakers, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and older adults themselves.

The aim of the current study is to explore the perception of multiple stakeholders related to the social care of the elderly regarding the use of AI in social care. Through interviews, surveys, and focus groups, the study seeks to gather insights from policymakers, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and older adults on their attitudes, concerns, and expectations regarding AI-powered social care interventions. By understanding stakeholder perceptions, the study aims to inform the development and implementation of AI technologies in social care settings, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for older adults.

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK  (UK and EU students only – eligibility criteria apply).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Aaamir Amin (aamir.amin@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

Please also include a research proposal of 1,000 words outlining the main features of your proposed research design – including how it meets the stated objectives, the challenges this project may present, and how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field. 

When applying please quote project code:OS&P5011025