u/Smart_Ambition_6154

I'm a designer & will be applying for HCI phd.. many times
HCI comes under CS phd but I'm from a non tech/ creative background my undergrad gpa was 3.4/4 & no research publications (wrote a literature review about accessibility & inclusivity in tech wrt neurodivergent users & submitted it to a journal but its not published yet), did some academic course projects during undergrad so including it in my cv, my field is heavily impacted by Al... am currently working in the industry & see it daily that without coming to me for design/ advice people are making their own creatives using gen Ai, though it's not perfect (messes up the fonts etc) it's still really bringing a lot of changes in my workflow and to improve my skills/ keep learning I was considering to apply for a phd with focus on HCI & emerging tech.
Some prof suggested me to look for positions outside US like EU, Australia, Korea & China..because of almost 50% funding cuts, they are not planning to take students for next year & don't know when they'd take after that also..
I have only done undergrad (no masters) because of which I think my only real chance is in the US? Is my profile competitive enough to get a funded PhD considering the current funding situation in US, anyone in the same boat?

I'm a designer & will be applying for HCI phd.. many times HCI comes under CS phd but I'm from a non tech/ creative background my undergrad gpa was 3.4/4 & no research publications (wrote a literature review about accessibility & inclusivity in tech wrt neurodivergent users & submitted it to a journal but its not published yet), did some academic course projects during undergrad so including it in my cv, my field is heavily impacted by AI..I am currently working in the industry & see it daily that without coming to me for design/ advice people are making their own creatives using gen Ai, though it's not perfect (messes up the fonts etc) it's still really bringing a lot of changes in my workflow and to improve my skills/ keep learning I was considering to apply for a phd with focus on HCI & emerging tech.

Some prof suggested me to look for positions outside US like EU, Australia, Korea & China..because of almost 50% funding cuts, they are not planning to take students for next year & don't know when they'd take after that also..

I have only done undergrad (no masters) because of which I think my only real chance is in the US? Is my profile competitive enough to get a funded PhD considering the current funding situation in US, anyone in the same boat?

Is it worth applying for a PhD abroad in these times of uncertainties & possible upcoming recession with everything becoming more expensive & even a war breakout..jf we'd be studying phd in a foreign country away from home in such a time idk my family is a bit worried so I had this thought. Also the funding cuts are huge, everything has become harder?

Are less people applying for PhDs now because of how bad the situation is wrt funding, war & everything else?

So I'm an international student who has just started mailing potential supervisors in the US..I've received responses that there have been major funding cuts & current situation isn't good so I should look for other countries too...I have a 4 yr bachelors degree, no master's degree & I want to apply in HCI dept for phd..anybody here can tell which countries provide funded masters like the US (when going for a phd directly after bachelors) earlier I was thinking maybe my profile is lacking somewhere but I've also received some positive responses that you should apply & select my name..your profile is strong & compelling...these would be taken as positive indications right..