http://www.abdn.ac.uk/cops/graduate/studentships/76

Supervisors

Supervisors on this project will be Professor Peter Edwards, Dr Jeff Pan (Computing Science) and Professor John Nelson (Centre for Transport Research, Geography & Environment)

Funding Eligibility

Tuition fees will be paid at UK/EU rates which for 2010/2011 are £3,400 along with a maintenance award at EPSRC rates, which for 2010/2011 is £13,590.  The studentship is funded by dot.rural, which is supported by the RCUK Digital Economy Programme (http://www.rcukdigitaleconomy.org.uk/

Funding Notes

Applications are welcomed from International Applicants who can meet the difference between UK/EU and International Tuition Fees,which for 2010/2011 will be £8,675.  Applicants must be able to meet the difference from their own resources.
Application Deadline

16 February 2011
Start Date

As soon as possible

Description

The concept of Linked Open Data has recently achieved widespread coverage, in part due to the emergence of sites such as data.gov.uk, which aims to open up UK Government datasets to the public. Linked Data is a term used to describe a recommended best practice for exposing, sharing, and connecting pieces of data, information, and knowledge on the Web using URIs and RDF (the Resource Description Framework). There are many challenges associate with the creation and curation of such data, and one solution that has been suggested is to make use of large numbers of users (the “crowd”) to perform tasks such as creation of new data, parsing/linking existing unstructured data, and correcting errors. Of course, once crowd-sourcing is introduced, issues will arise as to what is the “truth” – in terms of the reliability of new data and any edits to existing data – and how to query and exploit such data with mixed trust level.

This studentship will be based in the RCUK-funded dot.rural Digital Economy research hub (www.dotrural.ac.uk) and the successful applicant will work closely with an interdisciplinary team that is exploring how crowd-sourcing can be used to create a new kind of transport information system. This will integrate a range of information and knowledge sources including transport operator timetables, sensor data and information/knowledge from local inhabitants in order to support services such as real-time travel alerts and interactive personalised travel planners at key stages in the journey planning process.

This PhD will explore the issues associated with crowd-sourcing and linked data (using the transport scenario above), and in particular will investigate issues relating to trust, quality and reliability of the data.

Educational Background:

1st or 2(1) in Computer Science (with knowledge/experience of the Semantic Web).
Application Procedure

Formal applications can be completed online: www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/.   You should apply for MSc with a view to transfer to PhD in Computing Science, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct College for processing.  Please note, you should apply at least 4 days before the deadline to allow us to contact you for further information, if required.  All applications received up to, and including the closing date, will be processed.

Please include a covering letter and an up-to-date C.V. (no longer than 2 sides of A4)

Informal academic enquiries should be directed to Professor Peter Edwards (p.edwards@abdn.ac.uk). All general enquiries should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit.