Sheffield Hallam University
Details
Please note, there is no funding attached to this project. All tuition fees and any other associated costs (including bench fees) must be financed by the student. Please consider this before submitting your application.
The Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.
PhD Research Topic
Robots are increasingly integrated into public spaces, assuming vital roles in industries such as healthcare, security, and service sectors. While these advancements offer significant societal benefits, they also expose robots to a pressing yet overlooked challenge: robot abuse. Acts of aggression toward robots, ranging from verbal insults to physical attacks, have been widely documented, raising concerns about both the ethical treatment of autonomous systems and the operational risks posed by such interactions. This project aims to address this challenge by equipping robots with cognitive capabilities that enable them to recognise, anticipate, and respond to abusive behaviour, ensuring their safety and effectiveness in real-world environments.
Despite growing research on the psychological and social aspects of robot abuse, existing studies primarily focus on human motivations for such behaviours. This project shifts the perspective to the robot itself, aiming to develop a framework that will allow robots to interpret abusive actions and adapt their behaviour accordingly. Our approach is rooted in Cognitive Robotics, a field that integrates principles from artificial intelligence, psychology and cognitive science to create intelligent behaviour that mirrors human-like perception, reasoning and interaction with the environment.
The successful candidate will develop and implement a multimodal robot perception system that enables autonomous robots to recognize and respond to abusive behaviour. By integrating visual, auditory, and contextual cues, the system will allow robots to assess their interactions with humans in real time. This will be deployed in real-world environments using real-world social robots. Additionally, the project will explore predictive mechanisms that allow robots to anticipate aggression before it escalates, enhancing their ability to navigate social spaces safely. Through experimental user studies, the candidate will evaluate the system’s effectiveness, collecting qualitative and quantitative data to refine the models and improve the robots’ resilience to hostile interactions.
This PhD project is ideal for candidates with proficiency in Python programming and a background in robotics, AI, or machine learning who are interested in developing intelligent robotic systems capable of navigating complex social environments. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with the Smart Interactive Technologies group in a cutting-edge research environment, utilizing state-of-the-art robotic platforms and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of experts in human-robot interaction and cognitive systems.
The expected outcomes of this research include significant advancements in AI-driven social perception, novel approaches to autonomous abuse detection and mitigation, and insights into ethical considerations surrounding human-robot relationships. The findings will have broad implications across industries where robots interact with the public, ultimately contributing to the creation of more resilient and socially aware autonomous systems.
Eligibility
Applicants should hold a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree in a related discipline. A Master’s degree in a related area is desirable. We welcome applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.
International candidates are required to provide an IELTS certificate with a score of at least 7.0 overall, and a minimum of 6.5 in all components. For further information on English Language requirements, please click here.
For further details on entry requirements, please click here.
How to apply
All applications must be submitted using the online application form. To apply, click here. In your application, be sure to include the title of the project that you are applying for.
As part of your application, please upload:
·       A research proposal (max. 1500 words) in your own words, briefly outlining the proposed research, the current knowledge and context referencing key background literature; a proposed methodology or approach to answer the key questions, and any potential significance or impact of the research
·       Copy of your highest degree certificate
·       Non-UK applicants must submit IELTs results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years and a copy of their passport.
Applicants must provide 2 references, with at least one to be academic. References must be received directly from the referees.
We strongly recommend you contact the lead academic, Dr Samuele Vinanzi (s.vinanzi@shu.ac.uk), to discuss your application.
For information on how to apply please visit https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees
Funding Notes
There is no funding attached to this project. The applicant will need to fund their own tuition fees, as well as any associated bench fee and living expenses. The home tuition fee for 25/26 is £5,006 and the international tuition fee for 25/26 is £17,725 (not including any applicable bench fee).
For information regarding bench fees, please contact industry-innovation-admissions@shu.ac.uk
To apply for this job please visit www.shu.ac.uk.