Scholarship Information : Ethics of Technology ‘Persuasive Technology’, Netherlands

The ethical part of the project addresses moral issues that arise when using persuasive technology. Persuasive Technologies are technologies that are intentionally designed to change the attitude and or behavior of individuals. These types of technologies raise various ethical questions, many of which have to do with a conflict between the individual values of human agents and the social values that these technologies aim to promote. The philosophical part of our research will study the ethical issues of technological ‘persuasion’. The main research question is: What are morally acceptable means of technological ‘persuasion’?

The ethical questions we consider are prompted by the technological case study, which concerns energy-saving in truck-driving. However, most of these ethical issues are of a general nature. The ethical project thus starts from the level of the concrete technological case and moves on to the level of general ethical principles and design guidelines. This will be specifically relevant for the social, political and legal aspects of persuasive technology and for the public debate about it.

This research program investigates the psychological mechanisms and the ethical dilemmas of persuasive technology in two ways. First, we develop an in-depth empirical study of a concrete case where persuasive technology is under development: the energy management and safety of vehicles (cars, trucks). Vehicle simulators will be used to observe human agents using various forms of persuasive technology, where the most important variable will be the amount of control transferred from the user to the technological system. Second, we analyze the general psychological mechanisms, ethical dilemmas, and value conflicts at stake, which will result in design recommendations for developers of persuasive technology. Since persuasive technology is a perfectly generic technology our results will be important for many other areas as well.

Application deadline: 21st October 2010

PhD Studentship in Development of a Health and Welfare Monitor for Pigs Based on Image and Sound Analysis, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Offer
A three year research position in a project with a clear intention to complete a PhD at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven within four years.

Title
Development of a health and welfare monitor for pigs based on image and sound analysis

Project description and tasks
Measuring of animal-based parameters can substantially contribute to health and welfare objectives that have been set by EU-legislation. Currently welfare is assessed by on-farm auditing, once or twice a year. However, this is time consuming and the question also arises whether the auditor is measuring animals under normal farm conditions. Compared to the current situation, automated recording of animal-based parameters has a number of advantages. Recordings can be made real-time and information can be send to a central database, reducing the need to send specialized personnel out to farms. Furthermore, behaviour parameters such as location, activity and sound of the animals can be measured more objectively and consequently these measurements can be used in a real time detection of behaviour patterns.

This project aims the development of a health and welfare monitor for pigs based on automatic detection of visual-auditive welfare related behaviour parameters. Vision and sound algorithms shall be used and further developed to calculate a limited number of characteristic parameters, such as animal position and movement, as well as sound intensity, duration and location. The dynamic variation of these parameters shall be related to specific behaviours, such as eating, drinking, resting. locomotion, social behaviour and sickness. Automatic detection data shall be validated using physiological indicators of health and welfare..

The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Universiteit Gent.

Candidate profile
The candidate must have a master’s or equivalent degree in (bio, agricultural-) engineering (electrical, computer, civil, etc.), physics, mathematics or other relevant field.

The candidate should be willing to obtain a PhD degree in the field of bio-engineering. Reporting the project results in international peer reviewed journals is a major task.

The candidate must be able to speak and write English.

Working knowledge of MATLAB, experiences in image processing and/or mathematical modelling is requested.

Contact
For more information and application instructions, the candidates are requested to send a CV to Dr. Vasileios Exadaktylos, Division M3-BIORESm Faculty of Bio-Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Tel. +32-16-32.17.30, email. m3-biores.jobs[ at ]biw.kuleuven.be

Fellowship for those international students whose research projects are in the field of medicine or in a science

The Colt Foundation is particularly interested in high quality research projects in the field of occupational and environmental health, particularly those aimed at discovering the causeof illneises arising from conditions at the place of work. The Foundation also makes grants each year to PhD students whose subject is relevant to this field of medicine. The grant is normally for three years, and the stipend rate for the first year is f’12,000 (t 1 3 ,000 inside London), rising with inflation for the following two years. Fees will be paid as incurred. Further details can be obtained from Jackie Douglas at the address shown. The grant does not attract tax. In recent years grants have been made in respect of:

• The role of microRNAs in occupational allergic contact dermatitis
• Human health, climate change and the bio-energy industry
• Analyses on the association of asthma with occupational exposure using data from the ‘ British 1958 Rirth Cohort
• The effects of intermittent or prolonged exposure to environmentally relevant UV
radiation in mammalian cells
• Geographical information systems and statistics in environmental health: Asthma prescribing and air pollution in space and time
• Development and validation of a diagnostic tool for occupational asthma based on
serial lung function measurements
• An investigation into the potential toxicologtcalhazard of nanotubes on the lungs
• The positive work environment and its effect on employee health
• A molecular approach to understanding the mechanism(s) of silica-induced lung
carcinogenesis
• Air pollution and children’s health

Applications are now invited from prospective students who are qualified in science or
medicine and should include an outiine of the proposed research, a CV, a strong letter of
support from the proposed supervisor, and the contact details of two referees’ The
application must te iubmitted by the student personally.

Application deadline: 18th October 2010

Further fellowship information and Application

african american scholarship UNU-IRA-INAT-ICARDA-CAREERI-ALRC-GM Scholarship

The Joint Master’s Degree (MSc) Programme on Integrated Drylands Management is offered jointly through the partnership between the United Nations University (UNU), Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CAREERI), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie (INAT) Tottori University (TU), and the Global Mechanism (GM) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The MS Programme is designed to enhance the capacity of developing countries to manage their drylands resources. It is intended to provide young professionals and scientists an international perspective on resource management approaches in drylands. Students enrolled in the 2010-2011 programme will attend a 4-week intense course at CAREERI facilities in Lanzhou, China from 13 September - 12 October 2010. Upon completion of the course work and approval of the research proposal, students will carry out their field research which will be hosted by one of the partner organizations. The students are also required to complete a research project in their home country. The MS Programme is jointly offered by the seven partner institutions as an internationally accepted degree.

It is anticipated that the graduates from the MS Programme will serve in government departments and agencies (e.g., those dealing with agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, and combating desertification), teaching positions in institutions of higher learning, research institutions and doctoral research programmes.

Please download the informational brochure (PDF; 400 KB) and application form (Word doc.; 250 KB) for more details on the programme.

Programme Partners

• The United Nations University (UNU)
• The Institut des Régions Arides (IRA, Tunisia)
• The Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie (INAT, Tunisia)
• International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
• The Cold and Arid Regions Environmental & Engineering Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAREERI, P.R. China)
• Arid Land Research Center (ALRC), Tottori University
• Global Mechanism of the UNCCD (GM)

Fellowship and Travel Arrangements
Part or full fellowships will be provided to qualified candidates from developing countries on a competitive basis. These fellowships will cover international airfare at economy excursion rates (between the country of origin and the hosting institutions in Tunisia, China, Syria or Japan). Housing, meals, and local transportation in Tunisia, China, Syria or Japan will be provided by the respective host institutions.

Admissions Procedure
Please consult the informational brochure and application form for admission details.

The application form must be completed and signed. The following supporting documents must be submitted together with the application form:

• A letter of nomination from your supervisor/university where you are currently registered in a Master's programme that certifies completion of basic course work.
• A certified copy of academic transcripts for each institution attended.
• An original detailed research proposal of 10 pages clearly outlining the problem statement, literature review, research question, methodology, expected results, workplan and timetable.
• Two original supporting letters of reference, one of which must be from your current supervisor.
• Evidence of English language proficiency, where English is not your first language (e.g., TOEFL score, English certificate, etc.)

Documents which are not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation.

Please send application materials to:
MS Programme Committee UNU-INWEH175 Longwood Road South, Suite 204, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 0A1, CANADA Fax: +1 905 667 5510
Email: contact@inweh.unu.edu

Moreinfo: http://www.inweh.unu.edu/drylands/MS.htm

african american scholarship EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides Master's and Doctoral funding for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S. to participate in educational and research programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai‘i. Through East-West Center affiliation, awardees become part of a growing network of students and alumni forging the shape and substance of the world's most vibrant region.

Center fellowships are provided for degree study at the University of Hawai‘i and participation in the Center's international and intercultural programs. The Center and the University of Hawai‘i, located in a unique island setting with a distinctive multicultural heritage, offer premier resources for studies on Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S.

Degree fellows have opportunities to participate in graduate certificate programs offered in leadership studies, international intercultural studies, population studies and natural resource management that enhance their degree studies. Other opportunities include invited participation in the Center's research projects in several areas of international study including politics, governance and security; economics; environmental change; population and health; education; and Pacific islands development.

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides funding toward:

* Master's degrees (up to 24-month fellowship)

* Doctoral degrees (up to 48-month fellowship)

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship invites applications from:

* Citizens or permanent residents of the United States

* Citizens of countries in the Pacific and Asia, including Russia

Individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or a country listed below may apply for the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowships:

Southeast Asia: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand Vietnam

East Asia: China (Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland, Taiwan), Japan, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of, Korea, Republic of, Mongolia, Russia.

South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

Pacific Region: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna Islands.

General Requirements:

• Applicants submit both the application for East-West Center Graduate Fellowship and the graduate admissions application to the University of Hawai‘i to the East-West Center Award Services Office. Applications must be postmarked by the November 1 deadline.
• Applicants already enrolled as classified graduate students at the University of Hawai‘i submit only the East-West Center Graduate Fellowship application.
• Required tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for applicants from non-English speaking countries, and the GRE or GMAT for all applicants as required by university departments.
• Award recipients who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must meet exchange visitor (J-1 visa) requirements.

Degree Fellowship Requirements:

Beyond fulfilling degree requirements at the University of Hawai‘i, East-West Center students are required to take part in the Center's education program. These requirements include:

* Core Program that meets weekly during the fall semester.

* Spring Core Issues Course, which will consist of a series of presentations and small-group discussions.

* Community Service. Degree Fellows are expected to devote 90 hours to community service during their award period.

* Involvement in an EWC Research Project.

* Interdisciplinary Certificate. Students not involved in an EWC research project must pursue one of several interdisciplinary certificates.

* Language Requirement. Degree Fellows who are native speakers of English from USA, Australia or New Zealand must demonstrate proficiency in an Asian/Pacific language or complete four semesters of language coursework.

* Monthly Report to the Associate Dean.

To download the forms as separate files, click below:

• Application Checklist [doc]
• Application Form [form-fillable doc]
• Application Essay Form [doc]
• Letter of Reference Form [form-fillable doc]
• Letter of Reference for Community Service Form [form-fillable doc]
• Verification of Funds for Additional Expenses Form [form-fillable doc]

GRADUATE DEGREE FELLOWSHIPS

Award Services Office

East-West Center

1601 East-West Road

Honolulu, HI 96848-1601

USA

Moreinfo: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/education/student-programs/opportunities-for-study/ewc-graduate-degree-fellowship/