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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
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Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Dr. Jim Duggan / Dr. Enda Howley
jim.duggan@nuigalway.ie / ehowley@nuigalway.ie
School of Engineering & Informatics
Research group / centre website:
System Dynamics Research Group,
School of Engineering & Informatics,
NUI Galway.
www.it.nuigalway.ie
PI website / link to CV:
www.corrib.it.nuigalway.ie
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr. Jim Duggan is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology. Both Dr. Jim Duggan and Dr.
Enda Howley have extensive experience of leading international research in the areas of complexity, artificial
intelligence and simulation.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Strategic agent coordination in gaming environments
The challenge of making gaming environments more realistic and enjoyable is becoming increasingly
reliable on advances artificial intelligence approaches. Therefore the development of realistic
environments where agents interact in ways, which offer heightened realism, is a continuing challenge.
The tendency for generic scripted solutions is limited and results in human players rapidly growing tired
of the game environment. This project will explore how environmental agents can continually learn to
adapt over repeated game play and offer new and stimulating game environments to the human
player(s). These games can include conflict strategy games or life-simulation games.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
This project proposal offers a unique opportunity to work with a mix of both young and experienced
researchers who are highly ambitious for the successful progression of this project. There is a strong track
record of successful and exellent progression of our PhD candidates onto further highly successful careers in
research, academia and also industry. We offer a strong mix of support and guidance throughout the project
where a friendly and professional approach is followed. NUI Galway is a world class centre of research and
learning which boasts a vibrant student population. The university is also home to the internationally
renowned Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) which is a world leader in the area of web science and a
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
potential collaborator in this research project. Galway city is well known as the best city in Ireland to be a
student. Galway city is also internationally known as the festival capital of Ireland and has earned the title of
Ireland’s Cultural Heart.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
ehowley@nuigalway.ie
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or Engineering,
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
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Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ ____
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _____
Suitable for either/Don’t know: _ ____