Prof. Sarah Mills to lead new Research Cluster on ‘Digital Communities and Inclusion’

A new Research Cluster on 'Digital Communities and Inclusion' has launched at Loughborough University, led by Prof. Sarah Mills. The cluster brings together a team of academic researchers across the University and will host six fully funded PhD studentships as Vice Chancellor’s Scholarships, starting in October 2024.

These Digital Communities and Inclusion PhD projects will examine timely and important issues on how ‘the digital’ is being used to create new communities, encourage more inclusive community engagement, or where digital exclusion is impacting lived experiences. The cluster brings together multi-disciplinary perspectives and methodological expertise across the Social Sciences and Humanities as well as Business, Design and Health Sciences.

The six PhD projects (closing date for applications - 15th March 2024) are:

  1. Political Communities and Gamification: Playing Politics and In/Exclusion (Supervised by Sarah Mills, Geography and Environment and Prof. David Deacon, Communication and Media)

 

  1. Sustainable Communities, Inclusive Community Science and Climate Apptivism (Supervised by Dr Brendan Lawson, Communication and Media and Dr Tom Stanton, Geography and Environment)

 

  1. Migrant and Refugee Communities: Digital Resilience and Skills for Citizenship (Supervised by Dr Sophie Cranston, Geography and Environment and Dr Michelle Richey, Loughborough Business School)

 

  1. Creative Communities, Digital Platforms, and Inclusion (Supervised by Dr Allan Watson, Geography and Environment and Dr Jilly Kay, Communication and Media)

 

  1. Inclusive Digital Design in Health: Interfaces and Intersectionality (Supervised by Dr Emilene Zitkus-De-Andrade, School of Design and Creative Arts, and Dr David Maidment, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences)

 

  1. Communities at Risk: Digital Poverty and Deprivation (Supervised by Dr Adrian Leguina, Social Policy, and Abigail Davis, Centre for Research in Social Policy)

For more details about the ‘Digital Communities and Inclusion’ research cluster, please visit this dedicated webpage or click here to learn more about the ‘Vibrant and Inclusive Communities’ Strategic Theme at Loughborough University.