Key Information
Funding provider: EPSRC
Subject area: Computer Science
Project start date:
1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
Supervisors: Dr Megan Venn-Wycherley, Computer Science (Primary), Professor Faron Moller, Computer Science (Secondary)
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Computer Science
Mode of study: Full or Part-time study is possible.
Project description: Despite the introduction of computing education as a potential pathway to social mobility, underserved communities continue to face disproportionate challenges in accessing high quality computing education, potentially limiting their future opportunities. The Computer Science department at Swansea University invites applications for an EPSRC DTP-funded doctoral research project examining how sustainable computing education ecosystems can create pathways for social mobility.
The COMPASS project (Computing Opportunity Mapping: Pathways And Sustainable Systems) proposes a fundamental shift in perspective, investigating how sustainable ecosystems of opportunity can be mapped, developed to generate lasting opportunities for social mobility through computing education, and explore the role technologies play in this process. By providing practical insights and identifying effective interventions, this research aims to contribute to narrowing the digital divide and improving life chances for disadvantaged young people in the UK.
Given the nature of the project and the potential for regular, unsupervised contact with young people, you will be subject to an Enhanced Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
This project will be undertaken as part of the Education, History and Philosophy Research (EHP) Group within the Computer Science department at Swansea University. EHP has made, and is making, technical contributions that are driving change, but also addressing questions such as these:
- What education in computing should we offer (i) to school and university students and teachers; (ii) to people working in businesses, public services and the professions, and (iii) to citizens?
- History and heritage. What are the causes of changes? What are the inventions and innovations that are key to our current technologies, ambitions and concerns?
- How do our technologies speak to classic, human philosophical problems of what we can know, what we can do, and who we are?
We take a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to such questions, bringing together knowledge in fields as diverse as, e.g., mathematical logic, the theory of computation, software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, global and local history, classical philosophy, philosophy of science and technology, social and media studies. Philosophical discourses about epistemology, ethics, identity, etc., underpin current debates and future speculations. Furthermore, our investigations of educational, historical and philosophical questions are often directed at the development of policies in the public and private spheres.
You will have the opportunity to be based across two locations: the Computational Foundry at Bay Campus – a £32.5 million world-class facility and research beacon backed by £17m from the European Regional Development Fund, situated right on Swansea Bay beach – as well as the Singleton Park Campus, which is set in mature parkland and botanical gardens, and the main location of our EHP research group.
Eligibility
PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).
English Language
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.
Funding
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete your application online with the following information
- Course choice– please select as per preferred mode of study, either:(Full Time) Computer Science / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
OR
(Part Time) Computer Science / PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / October
- Start year– please select 2025
- Funding (page 8 on the application process)
In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.
- ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
- ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS796 – COMPASS’
*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.
One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.
NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD – to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.
Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):
- CV
- Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
- A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
- One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
- Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
- Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
- Confirmation of EDI form submission
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Megan Venn-Wycherley on Megan.Venn-Wycherley@Swansea.ac.uk / 01792 205678 (ext. 888847)
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.
