Designing Human-Centred Digital Agents for Adaptive and Dialogic Feedback

About the research project

By combining human-centred interaction through a system with privacy-preserving and secure system architecture, this research addresses a key gap in developing trustworthy adaptive feedback systems for higher education at scale.

Constructive and timely feedback is critical for learning, yet providing personalised feedback at scale remains a challenge—especially in large or online classes. This project proposes an interface that mediates learning analytics through natural conversation, delivering feedback that is:

• Personalised to the learner’s needs
• Actionable with clear guidance on what to do next
• Reflective to support self-regulated learning and improvement

From a teaching and learning perspective, the agent will support scaffolded guidance by:

• Contextualising assessment outcomes in plain language
• Highlighting student strengths and areas for improvement
• Offering structured reflection prompts
• Recommending specific learning resources and next steps

Trust is central to this research. The system will be designed to protect student privacy and minimise risk through:

• Operating on derived analytics, not raw student data
• Using pseudonymous identifiers where possible
• Providing learners with meaningful control over personalisation and interaction settings
• Applying secure integration using least-privilege access, standard interfaces, and strong authentication, authorisation, and audit logging

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Soonja Yeom

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Applications are open to Domestic/International applicants.
• Applications are open to applications from ICT/Computer Science discipline background only
• English language score must be above minimum entry requirements for this project

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Demonstrated capacity in critical thinking
• Background in subject areas relevant to the project (i.e. computer science, AI theory and practice)
• Programming skills with understanding in machine learning
• Quantitative research skills

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Prior experiences in research

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Soonja Yeom to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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