Doctoral Consortium 14th July 2025:

The Doctoral Consortium is a unique opportunity for PhD students working in areas related to Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Civics, and Civic Technologies to present their ongoing research in a supportive and constructive environment. Participants will receive valuable feedback from senior researchers (mentors) and peers, engage in stimulating discussions, explore career pathways, and build their network within the international research community aligned with the DCitizens project.

Who Should Apply? 

We encourage applications from PhD students at any stage of their doctoral studies, although students who are midway through their research and have a defined approach and initial findings may benefit most. Applicants should be conducting research relevant to the broad areas of HCI, Digital Civics, Civic Technologies, and related fields. If your work explores the intersection of technology, citizens, communities, and governance, we want to hear from you! 

Relevant Topics 

While aligning with the broader goals of the DCitizens project, the Doctoral Consortium welcomes submissions on a wide range of topics within HCI and Digital Civics. We encourage diversity in perspectives and methodologies. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: 

  • Design, development, and evaluation of Civic Technologies 
  • More-than-Human design of civic technologies 
  • Digital platforms for citizen participation and deliberation 
  • Technology for community engagement and local governance 
  • Human-Computer Interaction methods in civic and/or community-based contexts 
  • Digital transformation and digitalisation of public services 
  • Data-driven governance and civic data analysis 
  • Ethical considerations in digital civics (fairness, accountability, transparency) 
  • Digital inclusion, accessibility, and equity in civic life 
  • Technology’s role in activism, social movements, and democracy 
  • Misinformation, trust, and safety in online and connected offline civic spaces 
  • Futures of digital citizenship and democracy 
  • Design justice and technology for social good 

Important Dates 

  • Submission Deadline: 14th June 2025  18th June 2025
  • Notification of Acceptance: 21st June 2025  25th June 2025
  • Doctoral Consortium Event: 14th July 2025 

(Please note: Accepted Doctoral Consortium students are expected to attend the full Doctoral Consortium session on 14th July 2025 and are encouraged to participate in the entire Summer School.) 

Doctoral Consortium Submission 

Submissions should present your doctoral research, focusing on the core ideas and plans. Given the short format, prioritise the following sections in this order: 

  1. Problem: Clearly state the research problem you are addressing. 
  2. Motivation: Explain the significance of the problem and why it needs solving. 
  3. Approach: Describe your overall research approach or conceptual framework. 
  4. Methodology: Detail the methods you are using or plan to use (e.g., design methods, data collection, analysis techniques). 
  5. Envisioned Contributions: Outline the expected contributions of your research to HCI, Digital Civics, or related fields. 
  6. Open Questions & Challenges to be Discussed: Highlight specific questions, dilemmas, or challenges you are facing in your research that you would like to discuss and receive feedback on during the Doctoral Consortium. 
  7. References: List relevant academic references. 
Format:

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed by the Doctoral Consortium chairs and potentially members of the mentor panel. The selection criteria include: 

  1. Alignment: Relevance to the scope of the DCitizens project and the broader fields of HCI and Digital Civics. 
  2. Soundness: Quality and clarity of the research problem, motivation, approach, and methodology. 
  3. Importance and Impact: Potential significance and contribution of the research. 
  4. Benefit: The potential for the student to benefit from participating in the Doctoral Consortium. 

We aim to select a diverse group of students representing various topics, methods, and stages of research. 

What to Expect at the Doctoral Consortium 

The Doctoral Consortium is designed as an interactive event focused on feedback and development. Accepted students can expect: 

  • Individual Presentations: Opportunity to present your research (typically 15-20 minutes) to peers and mentors, followed by dedicated Q&A and feedback. 
  • Mentor Feedback: Constructive input and guidance from experienced researchers in the field during group sessions. 
  • One-to-One Discussions: Dedicated slots for individual discussions with mentors. 
  • Peer Learning: Engaging discussions and feedback exchange with fellow PhD students. 
  • Career Discussions: Group sessions focusing on academic and non-academic career paths, publishing, funding, and navigating PhD life. 
  • Networking: Building connections with mentors and peers in a friendly setting. 

Doctoral Consortium Mentors / Panel 

We are assembling a panel of experienced researchers and practitioners from leading institutions in HCI and Digital Civics. Our mentors offer diverse expertise and perspectives to enrich the Doctoral Consortium experience. 

Further Information 

For any questions regarding the Doctoral Consortium or the submission process, please contact the Doctoral Consortium Chairs at: kyle.montague@northumbria.ac.uk & shaun.lawson@northumbria.ac.uk.

We look forward to receiving your applications! 

Apply for the Doctoral Consortium by 16th June 2025:

Apply for Doctoral Consortium