PhD in VR Music-Making, Storytelling, and Inclusion for Asylum-Seeking Communities at Queen's University Belfast

A fully funded PhD position will be available at Queen's University Belfast, starting in 2026, within the "Performance without Barriers" research group at the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC). The project, entitled "Re-Sounding Identities: VR Music-Making & Storytelling with Asylum-Seeking Communities in Northern Ireland," will explore how immersive technologies such as virtual reality can foster inclusion, belonging, and skills development for marginalised groups, with a particular focus on young women and girls from asylum-seeking backgrounds. The research is a collaboration between Professor Franziska Schroeder, Dr. Kim-Marie Spence (Cultural Policy/Music Industry), and Linda Curtin from Immersive Ireland, supported by a Collaborative Studentship from Queen’s Business and Alliance Team/Research and Enterprise Directorate. The successful candidate will join a vibrant interdisciplinary environment at SARC, engaging with cutting-edge research in music, technology, and social inclusion. Applicants should have a relevant academic background and a passion for working with immersive technologies and diverse communities. Funding details will be provided in the official call. Interested candidates should watch for the formal application announcement and prepare to submit their materials through Queen's University Belfast.