About SCALA

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie-UKRI Doctoral Network- “SCALA – Spatial Communication and Ageing across Languages” is an exciting new project starting in December 2024. SCALA will i) identify, catalogue, and understand the causal origins of spatial communication differences in the later lifespan across speakers of different languages and across varying spatial environments, and ii) develop technological systems for spatial communication that have the potential to improve quality of life for older adults. SCALA embraces a consortium of high-profile universities, research institutions and companies located in Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark and Norway.

Sixteen doctoral candidates, who will join the project in the first half of 2025, will work on individual projects that are strongly interconnected and organised in two work packages. (Recruitment is opening in July 2024 – more information about the available PhD topics and how to apply.) One work package focuses on Spatial Communication in Typical and Atypical Ageing, while the second one investigates Spatial Communication, Technology and Ageing. Doctoral candidates will benefit from an excellent training programme, built on innovative PhD training skills approaches, with a unique coaching programme for a tailored individual skills development plan, peer-support, and student-centred cohort activities, conjoined with a strong transferable skills programme for continuous professional development. Internationally leading experts will deliver the training, using blended learning approaches, maximising available technologies to enhance training where optimal to reduce the carbon footprint. Synergies between the academic and non-academic partners and associated partners will provide a unique training opportunity, with enhanced employability prospects for DCs in both the academic and non-academic sectors.

Thirteen partners collaborate to implement SCALA across Europe and the UK, contributing expertise from various fields and industries, such Psychology, Linguistics, Robotics and Computer Science.

EU partners (beneficiaries):