Dear all,

We are delighted to share that we are actively recruiting for our 2025/2026 PhD cohort for the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Network for AI-Enabled Digital Accessibility (ADA).

There are fully funded scholarships available for 2025/26 and we invite proposals for innovative and original projects with a focus on improving digital accessibility through different forms of linguistic and cross-modal mediation, and drawing on responsible and ethical uses of AI, under 6 themes:

1. AI for Audiovisual Accessibility Exploring AI-enabled solutions for converting audiovisual content into accessible formats, such as audio description for people with sight loss and other audiences. 2. AI for Speech-to-Text Accessibility Advancing automatic speech recognition and related technologies to improve real-time and post-production accessibility of speech content for different use cases. 3. AI for Text Simplification and Comprehension Investigating how AI can enhance text accessibility by simplifying complex language, improving readability, and adapting content for diverse users, including neurodiverse users. 4. AI for Cross-Language Accessibility Developing AI-powered tools for multilingual accessibility through translation, interlingual subtitles and interpreting to support global content reach and inclusivity. 5. AI-Enhanced Assistive Communication Technologies Creating AI-enabled assistive tools, such as voice assistants and chatbots to improve user experiences for diverse users across digital platforms. 6. AI for Personalising Accessible Communication Developing novel methods for tailoring digital accessibility solutions to individual user preferences and needs while ensuring ethical AI practices.

For more information on these themes and details on how to apply, please follow this link https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/studentships/leverhulme-doctoral-s....

The deadline for applications is 7 April 2025.

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Prof Constantin Orăsan

Professor of Language and Translation Technologies

Centre for Translation Studieshttps://www.surrey.ac.uk/centre-translation-studies | School of Literature and Languageshttps://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-literature-languages

Personal page: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/constantin-orasan

Office: 06LC03, Phone: +44 (0) 1483 68 4115

Library and Learning Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK