This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition , for entry in September 2025.

Overview of the Research:

The "Exploring Visual Arts with Computer Vision" project aims to bring cutting-edge AI and computer vision techniques into the study, creation, and preservation of visual arts. Art and cultural heritage are essential to societal identity, influencing both cultural and economic development through various forms such as paintings, photography, illustrations, designs, comic art, and museum exhibits, among others. These mediums help preserve and share our cultural history and values across generations.

Advances in computer vision have opened new opportunities in this domain, allowing the development of sophisticated tools for analysing, reinterpreting, preserving, and enhancing art. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in building AI-driven tools that not only support artists in their creative processes but also aid in preserving and reinterpreting cultural heritage. This project addresses these challenges by exploring applications in creative content generation—such as producing photorealistic imagery and reinterpreting historical artworks—and in content analysis, including style transfer, multimodal learning for artistic storytelling, and AI-driven analysis across varied art forms.

The selected Ph.D. candidate will work on critical challenges that AI tool developers and artists encounter. The project involves creative content generation through generative models, multimodal learning, neural rendering, graphical pipelines, as well as content analysis techniques like style transfer, depth and semantic analysis. Collaborating with artists, historians, and technologists, we will ensure the ethical and impactful application of AI in art.

This project is ideal for applicants with a solid foundation in computer vision and mathematics who are eager to bridge AI and visual art. The research offers interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and building partnerships that strengthen connections between AI, art, and heritage preservation. This project promises to make a lasting impact on both the computer vision community and the preservation of cultural heritage. I am open to discuss any medium that falls under the umbrella of art and cultural heritage. I have extensively worked on Comic art, Mangas, paintings, gaming, imagery, and illustrations.

Project Keywords : Computer Vision, Multimodal Learning, Visual Arts

Candidate Requirements:

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in Computer Science. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Applicants should have research experience (such as project work, internships, publications), proficiency in Python and PyTorch, and solid knowledge of deep learning, computer vision, and mathematics are essential. An interest in visual arts is advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement by the application deadline.

Successful Ph.D. candidates in this programme demonstrate strong curiosity , independent thinking , and a readiness to embrace feedback . Effective time management, organisation and planning , perseverance in facing challenges, and transparent communication are essential for a productive mentor-mentee relationship and research progress.

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Deblina Bhattacharjee - [email protected]

Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Computer Science prior to the closing date of this advert.

IMPORTANT:

When completing the application form:

1.      In the Funding your studies section, select ‘University of Bath URSA’ as the studentship for which you are applying.

2.      In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes.

Failure to complete these two steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website .

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.