3D digital technologies and AI for developing community-led conservation strategies of heritage buildings at risk

Do you have an architectural degree? Are you curious about how digital technologies can enhance our critical approaches towards the conservation of built heritage, especially in the context of disasters? Do you have a PhD research proposal related to this topic, or can you develop one? If the answer is yes to these questions, then this PhD funding opportunity for the programme of Architecture Design (Social Science) might be for you.

PhD description

The latest advances in digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D laser scanning (LiDAR), photogrammetry, and virtual reality, among others can significantly enhance our preparedness to mitigate and adapt to disasters. From previous research on their application to recurrent threats, such as earthquakes, mitigation strategies can be extrapolated to increase the conservation of our built heritage at risk. Learning from previous earthquakes to increase resilience in future earthquakes in seismic areas (Feilden 1987) is essential to ensure secure habitation as they occur regularly. In the same way, we already know the possible impacts of climate change and lessons can be extracted to improve the reuse and conservation of heritage buildings, helping not only to mitigate climate change but also to adapt to its consequences.

Digital recording technologies can enhance disaster responses, such as earthquake recovery, through rapid built environment data collection as demonstrated in previous research applied to seismic-prone areas of Chile and India, and by scaling up re-construction processes that can otherwise be slow in heritage contexts. However, at the moment, the potential of this data remains unexplored in light of the latest AI capabilities which could lead to scaling up re-construction efforts to physically conserve more built heritage than ever before, if AI is used ethically and in line with the principles of transparency, equity, and sustainability. An integrated 3D laser-scanning dataset with AI analysis can serve as a powerful platform for integrating participatory approaches with local communities in the conservation of their heritage. Currently, there is a knowledge gap in developing critical, human-oriented approaches to applying digital technologies to the built environment affected by disasters from a bottom-up perspective which this PhD will ultimately be looking at.

You will need to develop your own PhD proposal based on this brief description. The topic is left sufficiently open in scope and case studies to accommodate a range of prospective students. 

Supervisory team

Dr Bernadette Devilat and Dr Nils Jaeger, Assistant Professors from the Digital Technologies and Architecture cluster within the Architecture, Culture and Tectonics research group in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. Bernadette has expertise in digital technologies for the conservation of heritage areas affected by earthquakes with case studies from Chile and India. Nils’ expertise is in artificial intelligence applied to architectural design, human-building interaction, digitally driven adaptive architecture, personal data, mental health and wellbeing, and theories of embodiment. 

Candidate requirements

Requisites: 1st or a 2:1 in Architecture and an English qualification of 6.5 in IELTS (no less than 6.0 in each element). Other requirements are listed in the programme description. 

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and resourceful PhD student to contribute to the generation of new knowledge on the topic of 3D digital technologies and AI for developing community-led conservation strategies of heritage buildings at risk. This exciting opportunity is based within the Architecture, Culture and Tectonics research group, based in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham - which conducts cutting-edge research on the documentation and conservation of built heritage using advanced recording technologies in seismic areas of Chile and India, among other topics. 

You will have the opportunity to experience a great research environment with several ongoing international research projects and state-of-the-art equipment and software including 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry available for you to carry out your studies. 

Eligibility and funding

This studentship is open to UK/home and international candidates. 

After a suitable candidate is found, funding is sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process. This will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend.

PhD start date: October 2026 for 42 months

How to apply

Deadline: 11.59 pm on Wednesday 25 February 2026. Late proposals for this funding will not be considered.

To apply, fill out this form, answer the questions, and attach the following files:

1. A statement of motivation and why you are the best candidate to develop the proposed PhD proposal - up to one page.
2. PhD proposal including literature review, aims, methodology, and potential case studies clearly indicating the knowledge gap you aim to research. No more than 1500 words excluding references and footnotes. A strong PhD proposal clearly defines your research question, explains why it matters, shows awareness of existing literature, and outlines how you intend to investigate it. Please include an AI declaration statement
3. CV
4. Portfolio or projects you have been directly involved in, no more than 20 pages, composed mainly of images and representations, no more than 1,000 words in total
5. One previous publication - only if available, which can be an article or written work you are proud of. This could be written in English or Spanish.

What happens after submitting your application

1. Potential candidates will be invited for an interview week commencing 2 March 2026 - online or in person depending on the candidate’s location
2. The selected candidate will need to follow the PhD application process at the University of Nottingham
3. Funding is then sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process 

The University of Nottingham actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We - the Faculty of Engineering - provide a thriving working environment for all our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. We understand that research culture is important to our PGRs so we work closely with our Postgraduate Engineering Society and PGR research group representatives to support and enhance the postgraduate research environment.

As a PGR at the University of Nottingham you will benefit from training through our Researcher Academy’s training programme. Based within the Faculty of Engineering you will have additional access to courses developed specifically for our engineering and architecture PGRs including sessions on how to write a paper, communicating your research, and research integrity. 

We offer dedicated postgraduate study spaces, have outstanding research facilities and work in partnership with leading industrial partners.

Note: If you cannot make this deadline, please remember we are always open to receiving PhD applications using other funding sources. Funding opportunities from the University of Nottingham, like this one, are usually available at this time each year. Areas of research can be wider, not limited to architecture, and for all the PhD programmes we offer.