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PhD Opportunities

Multisensory integration in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Investigating general vs task specific sensory processing deficits.

School of Psychology | PHD
Funding
Unfunded
Reference Number
PSY-PhD-24-MD2
Application Deadline
None specified
Start Date
16 September 2024

Overview

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) perceive and interact with the world differently compared with neurotypical people. This project will assess ASD-related deficits in multisensory processing in two tasks, balance and speech perception, in order to identify sensory processing differences between autistic and neurotypical adults.

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) perceive and interact with the world differently compared with neurotypical people. ASD primarily affects social interaction and communication, but atypical sensory reactivity and poor integration of information for communication are also highlighted in the diagnostic criteria. Despite multisensory processing being essential for daily functioning, the nature of the multisensory difficulties experienced by those with ASD is underspecified. Everyday tasks like understanding speech and maintaining upright balance require processing of information from multiple senses: Balancing relies on proprioceptive (muscle sense), vestibular (inner ear) and visual information, and speech perception relies on auditory and visual information (lip and facial movement). In both examples, information from each sense is not used equally, rather, it is used based on its reliability. For example, for neurotypical people, dimming the lights in a room, thus reducing the reliability of visual information, results in greater reliance on the other senses used to balance. Similarly, having someone turn-away from them during a conversation results in greater reliance on auditory information. However, this re-weighting process is likely to be impaired in people with atypical sensory reactivity. Thus, it is important to establish whether the multisensory differences between autistic and neurotypical people stem from a general difficulty in re-weighting, regardless of the task or the senses involved, or from specific independent sensory difficulties.
Aim/Objectives/Methodology: The aim of this project is to assess ASD-related deficits in multisensory processing across two domains (balance and speech perception) in order to examine for a general deficit in sensory re-weighting between senses.
Research Objectives (ROs):
RO1. A systematic literature review on multisensory processing in adults with ASD across a range of senses, highlighting the implications of these deficits. (Year 1)
RO2. A Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) process forming a Research Interest Group (RIG) of adults with ASD who will be involved in focus groups, providing input on study design and publicity materials. PPI will be supported by the NOW group and the QUB PPI network. (Year 1)
RO3. A large-scale study (30-40 participants/group) assessing multisensory processing in speech and balance tasks in people with ASD and neurotypical controls. (Year 2)
RO4. A follow-up study based on the findings of the large-scale study. (Year 3)
Impact: Our collaboration with the NOW group will create an ASD RIG to enhance the potential for future ASD research at QUB. Demonstrating a general deficit explanation for the range of sensory difficulties experienced by those with ASD will have global impact on the recognised theories of ASD, and form the foundation of generating interventions for multi-sensory, rather than uni-sensory disability service where many students with ASD are registered. This work aligns with the priorities of two of the school’s research themes, perception-action, and development and cognition.

Project Summary
Supervisor

Dr Mihalis Doumas

More Information

m.doumas@qub.ac.uk

Research Profile


Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 years


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Psychology overview

The School of Psychology has a thriving, well-resourced and engaged PhD community that is central to its research environment. Students are strategically appointed to research projects with the express purpose of enhancing research capacity and development in prioritised areas for which the School aims to enhance world-leading research.

MODE OF STUDY / DURATION

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Course content

Research Information

Associated Research
The School of Psychology has a postgraduate research community of around 50 PhD students who are very well resourced and supported in their research.
The School has made extensive material investments in infrastructure, including two computer labs and access to several suites of dedicated research labs, to support their research.
Students are a central part of the research environment of the School and participate in School-level seminars and research meetings.
Students are expected and encouraged to publish during their PhD research and are supported in doing so through their research training.
Subject-specific postgraduate modules in research design and methods are delivered as part of the PhD training portfolio to complement the generic University training and further topic-specific research training is also available.
Other opportunities exist to attract funding from non-governmental sources. Current and previous PhD sponsors include professional services firms, international Governments, charities, and technology companies. We also welcome self-funding students on a full-time or part-time basis.
The School of Psychology at Queen's ranked in the top 10 psychology departments in the UK for research intensity in REF 2014 and provides an excellent environment in which to carry out PhD research.
One distinctive aspect of the PhD experience in the School of Psychology is the high level of spontaneous peer-support, initiative, and engagement among this community of Doctoral researchers. This is valued and fostered by the School through its support of the postgraduate conference and postgraduate week activities as well as wide-ranging involvement of research students across many aspects of School life.
Our PhD community also organizes numerous social events each year that are very popular amongst both staff and students. There is a range of sources of funding available for PhD students. Every year the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DEL) funds a number of PhD students to undertake research on pre-specified topics within the School of Psychology. These topics and the names of the associated supervisors are typically advertised online in December with a closing date in February. Last year's topics spanned research topics across Development, Social, Cognitive and Biological Psychology. Selected applicants are invited to interview and the successful candidate is offered a fully funded place with fees paid and an annual maintenance stipend for the three years of the PhD. Eligibility criteria can be found at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/delterms
Students who wish to self-fund or explore external funding sources are advised to peruse our staff webpages (http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/psy/Staff/) and to contact potential supervisors to discuss potential topics. Most students continue within academia to take up postdoctoral research positions, fellowships or lectureships in psychology. Some continue into clinical or educational psychology training while others take up research positions in the private and public sectors.

Career Prospects

Introduction
For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk. Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.

People teaching you

Dr Donncha Hanna
Director of Postgraduate Research
School of Psychology
Email: donncha.hanna@qub.ac.uk

Course structure
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Entrance requirements

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Psychology from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 TBC
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 TBC
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 TBC
EU Other 3 £25,600
International £25,600

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Psychology costs

Depending on the area of research chosen there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Bench fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

1.PhD Opportunities

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2.Funded Doctoral Training Programmes

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

3.PhD loans

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

4.International Scholarships

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.

Funding and Scholarships

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

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