Fully Funded PhD Studentship at University College Dublin: AI and Heritage Futures (Starting May 2026)

The UCD School of Information and Communication Studies (ICS) is now accepting purposes for a completely funded PhD studentship specializing in AI and Heritage Futures: Preservation, Creation, and Regulation of Evolutionary Heritage from Digitalised to Born-digital. This prestigious alternative helps an rising researcher within the intersection of synthetic intelligence, digital heritage, cultural preservation, and coverage growth.

The place is obtainable beneath the supervision of Dr. Sun Park, an Ad Astra Fellow and Assistant Professor specialising in AI and Digital Cultural Heritage at University College Dublin.

Key Details

University: University College Dublin
School: Information and Communication Studies (ICS)
Supervisor: Dr. Sun Park
Start Date: 18 May 2026
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Interview Dates: 19–20 February 2026 (carried out on-line)
Position Type: Full-time, 100% PhD studentship
Duration: Renewable for as much as 4 years

Funding and Benefits

The studentship contains:

• Annual stipend: €25,000
• Annual analysis prices: €4,000 (tax-free)
• Tuition charges: Fully waived by the School of Information and Communication Studies
• Priority entry to school-funded journey grants and analysis expense alternatives

Eligibility: Open to each EU and non-EU candidates. Candidates should meet UCD’s commonplace entry necessities.

Overview of the Research Area

This PhD venture explores the way forward for cultural heritage in an age the place AI is more and more concerned in creating, deciphering, and preserving cultural objects. Heritage historically contains materials artefacts, intangible traditions, and cultural data. As know-how evolves, heritage has expanded to incorporate digital twins, computational reconstructions, and born-digital artefacts akin to AI-generated works.

This studentship addresses the rising want to grasp:

• How AI can protect cultural heritage
• How AI-generated content material itself turns into heritage
• How coverage frameworks ought to evolve to manipulate digital and AI-driven heritage contexts

The chosen candidate will design and full their very own analysis venture inside this thematic space.

Suggested PhD Research Topics

Applicants could pursue one of many following themes or suggest their very own subject:

1. AI Technologies for Digitalised Heritage

Focus: Applying AI instruments to digitise current heritage belongings whereas sustaining authenticity.
Possible areas embrace:

• Computer Vision
• Natural Language Processing
• Data visualisation
• Digital twins and heritage info programs
  Ideal background: Computer Science, Information Science, AI/HCI, or associated technical fields.

2. AI-Generated Works as Born-Digital Heritage

Focus: Analysing the cultural, social, or technological worth of AI-generated works.
Ideal background: Information Science, AI/HCI, Anthropology, Sociology, Media Studies, Heritage Studies.

3. AI-Heritage Policy Alignment

Focus: Understanding and harmonising AI coverage with cultural heritage coverage and GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, museums) requirements.
Ideal background: Public Policy, Law, International Relations, Politics, GLAM Studies.

Applicants are inspired to construct on, modify, or suggest different subjects that combine AI with heritage research.

Candidate Expectations

The chosen candidate will:

• Complete and defend a PhD thesis within the related analysis space
• Work intently with the supervisor on collaborative analysis outputs
• Participate in UCD and ICS seminars, workshops, and occasions
• Complete 30 ECTS credit as part of UCD’s structured PhD programme
• Engage in instructing and tutor coaching throughout the course of study

Required Skills and Profile

Technical-Focused Projects

• Strong programming expertise
• Experience or willingness to study quantitative analysis strategies
• Ability to include qualitative strategies

Interdisciplinary Projects

• No technical background required
• Willingness to study technical strategies if wanted
• Strong qualitative analysis expertise or willingness to accumulate them

Non-Technical Projects

• Proficiency in qualitative analysis strategies akin to:
  • Ethnography
  • Policy evaluation
  • Case research
  • Discourse evaluation

Additional necessities:

• Strong command of English (C1 or C2 beneficial)
• A Master’s diploma (2:1 or equal GPA) in a related area
• Excellent organisational expertise
• Applications inspired from ladies and folks of color

About the Supervisor: Dr. Sun Park

Dr. Sun Park specialises in AI and Digital Cultural Heritage. Her work examines:

• The cultural worth of AI-generated works
• Human-AI interplay in creativity
• AI coverage in relation to heritage

Her skilled expertise contains roles at UNESCO, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, and the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding.

Application Requirements

An entire application should embrace:

1. Curriculum Vitae
   (training, expertise, publications, referees)
2. Cover Letter (max 1,000 phrases)
   Explaining your motivation and suitability
3. PhD Project Outline (max 1,500 phrases)
   Including analysis subject, questions, goals, strategies, and anticipated outcomes
4. Academic transcripts
5. Proof of English proficiency (for non-native audio system)
6. Submission by way of UCD’s on-line portal
   Application charge: €70
   Programme Code: W139

Application Portal: here.

Additional Programme Information:

Contact for Queries:

Email Dr. Sun Park at email

Click right here for extra alternatives.

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