Virtual Study Buddy

Digital Characters to Help Learners

This Research & Knowledge Exchange Doctoral Project brief summarises our priority areas of research interest under the heading of: Virtual Study Buddy: Digital Characters to Help Learners

We welcome all research degree applications aligned with and in response to this brief.

Project brief details

This PhD project explores the concept of a "virtual study buddy," a digital character designed to support learners by leveraging 3D character models, virtual study environments, and artificial intelligence. The primary aim is to investigate how AI-driven study companions can enhance student engagement, emotional well-being, and motivation in educational contexts, mimicking the positive impact a human study buddy might have.

The project will explore how these characters can provide reassurance, encouragement, and personalised learning experiences that cater to individual differences in learning styles, cognitive abilities, and emotional needs. Key research questions might include: How can AI characters support student motivation and confidence? In what ways do personalized virtual interactions influence student well-being and reduce feelings of isolation? How can the design of virtual study environments be tailored to different learners? This research would likely involve a combination of practice and empirical methods (qualitative and quantitative). For example, user studies, experiments in virtual learning environments, and surveys to assess emotional responses and learning outcomes.

The candidate is encouraged to refine these ideas and explore innovative methodologies that can push the boundaries of current understanding in educational psychology and AI.

Strategic alignment

Projects deriving from this brief are expected to sit within the Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy and the following academic department.

Centre	Centre for Pedagogy Futures
Department	Games Academy

All successful research degree project proposals must emphasise a clear alignment between the project idea and our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy.

Project brief lead

Dr Michael Scott profile image

Project Supervisor: Dr Michael Scott

Dr Michael Scott is the Head of Computing and Associate Professor of Computer Science Education at Falmouth University, leading Falmouth’s first-ever BSc(Hons) courses in Computing for Games and Immersive Computing as well as convening innovative distance-learning MA courses related to Digital Creativity. As an internationally-recognized researcher, Michael leverages the skills and experience he developed reading computer science and digital games theory to investigate: game procedurality; accessible game interfaces; game jams; game-inspired pedagogical approaches; and immersive education. He is particularly interested in how lusory perspectives could be used to teach programming, having completed a PhD in this area, and can often be found experimenting with multimedia-based instructional technology to enrich the learning experiences of his students.

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