University of Southampton
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6 days ago
PhD Project in Emergence and Interpretability of Agent-Made Visual Languages University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
The project is competition funded. Further details on fees and funding are available through the University of Southampton project page.
Deadline
Jun 30, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton
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About this position
The University of Southampton is offering a competition-funded Doctor of Philosophy project, “Can machines invent a visual language we can read? Emergence and interpretability of agent-made symbols”, in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
The PhD will investigate how populations of artificial agents invent shared visual symbol systems through interaction. It will examine when these systems become stable, efficient, compositional, abstract, and understandable to humans. Unlike token-based communication, visual messages have no predefined vocabulary, so the project will study how conventions emerge through the pressure to communicate.
Research may combine machine learning, emergent communication, cognitive science, linguistics, and human-computer interaction. Possible questions include how task design, communication bandwidth, agent architecture, and drawing mechanisms shape emergent symbols; whether heterogeneous agent populations converge on a shared visual code or fragment into local codes; and how readable these symbols are to people compared with pictograms or early writing.
The project can be adapted toward computational learning dynamics, analytical measures and evaluation, or empirical human studies. It is intended for applicants with a 2:1 honours degree. The closing date is 30 June 2027. Funding is listed as competition funded; applicants should consult the project page for complete fees, funding, entry requirements, and application instructions.
Funding details
The project is competition funded. Further details on fees and funding are available through the University of Southampton project page.
What's required
Applicants require a 2:1 honours degree. The project may suit applicants with computational interests in learning dynamics, analytical interests in measurement and evaluation, or empirical interests in human studies; the full entry requirements should be consulted on the University of Southampton website.
How to apply
Review the full entry requirements and fees and funding information on the project page, then apply through the University of Southampton's postgraduate research application process before 30 June 2027.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.