[ecrea] PhD scholarship: Smart Homes, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia

PhD Candidate sought for unique scholarship opportunity at RMIT
University, Melbourne, Australia: *Applications close 1 May 2015.
*

See: https://automatedsmarthome.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/hello-world/
<https://automatedsmarthome.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/hello-world/>

An outstanding PhD candidate is sought to join an Australian Research
Council social science research project on ‘automating the smart home’
based at RMIT University. The successful candidate will work alongside
Dr Yolande Strengers in the Beyond Behaviour Change Research Program,
based in the Centre for Urban Research and the School of Global Urban
and Social Studies.

The project aims to understand how home automation technologies are
being incorporated into household practices, what expectations they are
promoting, sustaining or transforming, and how these will likely support
or undermine electricity demand reduction ambitions. The findings will
inform theories of social practices, materiality and socio-technical
change, and provide internationally-significant insights to energy
services stakeholders.

Prospective candidates are invited to address or adapt one or more of
the following research questions in their proposal:

  * How do different home automation/ smart home companies imagine the
    future and how are they shaping ways of life in intended and
    unintended ways?
  * How are new smart home applications (on smart phones/ devices)
    changing household practices and expectations of comfort,
    cleanliness, security, entertainment and/or ambience?
  * (How) are smart home technologies gendered, and what does this mean
    for the visions and practices that emerge through their development?
  * How can we theorise home automation in everyday life?

Applicants can focus on the smart home as a broad category, or on
specific smart home appliances/ devices, such as automated vacuum
cleaners, air-conditioners, smart home ‘control centres’ or lighting
systems.

There is scope for applicants to develop a project that aligns closely
with their interests.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their application with
Yolande ((yolande.strengers /at/ rmit.edu.au)
<mailto:(yolande.strengers /at/ rmit.edu.au)>)  prior to submission through the
RMIT application process.

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree with First Class Honours or
equivalent in Sociology, Geography or a related humanities/ social
science discipline.

For more information on how to apply and the conditions of the
scholarships see:
Local students: URL: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/scholarships/rps
International students: URL: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/scholarships/rpis

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