The PhD in Computational Media Design aims to provide advanced scientific training at the confluence of Design and Computational Media, and respective research methods. Through an immersive program of learning in the context of laboratory projects and design practice, it aims to enable new researchers to understand and contribute to the advancement of the object and practice of design.
A distinctive aspect of this program is the exploration of computational methods and techniques in Design, in dialectics with the innovation of computational media and their literacies, for the innovation of interaction models and technologies, the study of the dynamics of collaboration, in interdisciplinary synergy with the study of human perception and cognition and artistic practices.
The new PhD graduates will develop capacities for:
- the autonomous conduct of high quality interdisciplinary scientific research;
- to carry out research projects of high scientific potential, providing integration in international knowledge networks in the area;
- contribute to the development of critical and complex thinking in Computational Design and Media;
- to understand and exercise Computational Media Design as a tool for social innovation and for the transition to sustainable development.
Goals
The PhD program in Computational Media Design aims at a high level training, mobilizing the UC's network of international partnerships in order to achieve the following objectives:
- Research in Computational Media Design with a focus on the intersection of areas such as: computational creativity, human-computer interaction, the artistic practices, architectures, communication, media literacy and criticism, perception and cognition, among other areas relevant to the understanding and practice of design and computational media;
- Understand the role of computational methods and technologies in the design and study of innovative computational media, contributing to the advancement of practices and the body of knowledge, exploring strands such as computational, generative, multimodal and interactive;
- Understand the relationships between design practice and the research process, and their modes of knowledge production;
- Investigate the challenges in participatory and plural design practice of transforming a material culture into socio-technical networks;
- Develop the role of design in social innovation and sustainable transition, articulating the relationship of the endogenous, or local, with cosmopolitan knowledge networks.
Access and Admission Requirements
The following may apply to the cycle of studies leading to the doctoral degree
a) Holders of the master's degree or legal equivalent in different and related areas, related to the cycle of studies, namely Sciences and Computer Science, Design, Architecture, Fine Arts;
b) Holders of a bachelor's degree who have a particularly relevant academic or scientific curriculum that is recognized as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the CC of the OU responsible for its
edition;
c) Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the CC of the OU where they wish to be admitted.
The information provided does not dispense with consulting the Notice of Vacancy available on this page.
Programme Structure
| Curricular Unit | Year | Regime | Type | ECTS Credits |
| Research Methodologies in Computational Media Design | 1 | Annual | Mandatory | 30.0 |
| Research Project | 1 | Annual | Mandatory | 30.0 |
| Thesis | 2 | Multiannual | Mandatory | 120.0 |
Course Regime
B-learning
Coordination of the Course
Licínio Gomes Roque (DEI FCTUC)
Duration of the Course
6 semesters.
Venue
The venues for this course should be consulted in the Timetable available on InforEstudante.
Available places
1st Phase: 4 places
2nd Phase: 10 places
3rd Phase: 1 place + remaining places
Extraordinary Phase: remaining places
The course will only run if the minimum number of students enrolled (5 students) is reached.
Application Deadline
1st phase: March 3rd to 31st, 2025
2nd phase: June 2nd to July 15th, 2025
3rd phase: September 1st to 12th, 2025
Extraordinary phase: October 21st to 28th, 2025