Overview
In the UK, the Deaf and hard of hearing community comprises approximately 12 million individuals, a number expected to grow to 14.2 million by 2035, according to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). Despite increased efforts toward inclusivity, Deaf individuals continue to face notable challenges in accessing healthcare services, particularly in booking appointments and effectively communicating with healthcare providers. Language barriers, exacerbated by the limited availability of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, contribute to significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. SignHealth reports that nearly 70% of Deaf individuals avoid visiting their doctors due to the lack of available BSL interpreters, highlighting an urgent need for reliable and accessible communication solutions in healthcare settings.
This PhD project proposes the development of an AI-powered sign language translation system to bridge communication gaps for Deaf individuals in healthcare. The proposed solution will focus specifically on appointment booking and patient and healthcare professionals, including doctors’ communication by enabling real-time translation between text and BSL. By leveraging advancements in visual recognition for sign language and natural language processing, the system will support two-way translations, enabling sign-to-text and text-to-sign interactions. This accessible, real-time translation tool will enable Deaf individuals to independently navigate healthcare processes, fostering a more inclusive and responsive environment where Deaf patients can access care equitably. Through this initiative, the project aims to address a critical accessibility gap, helping ensure that Deaf individuals receive timely, effective, and compassionate healthcare.
Funding Information
To be eligible for consideration for a Home DfE or EPSRC Studentship (covering tuition fees and maintenance stipend of approx. £19,237 per annum), a candidate must satisfy all the eligibility criteria based on nationality, residency and academic qualifications.
To be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria and the associated residency requirements:
• Be a UK National,
or • Have settled status,
or • Have pre-settled status,
or • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter the UK.
Candidates from ROI may also qualify for Home student funding.
Previous PhD study MAY make you ineligible to be considered for funding.
Please note that other terms and conditions also apply.
Please note that any available PhD studentships will be allocated on a competitive basis across a number of projects currently being advertised by the School.
A small number of international awards will be available for allocation across the School. An international award is not guaranteed to be available for this project, and competition across the School for these awards will be highly competitive.
Academic Requirements:
The minimum academic requirement for admission is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI Higher Education provider in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
Entrance requirements
Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).
International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Find a supervisor
If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.
