PhD Tik-Tok Wars: Analyzing the Mobilization of Conflict Narratives on Social Media

Applications are invited for a fully-funded four-year PhD position in the field of Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) at the Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The PhD candidate will realize the project “Tik-Tok Wars: Analyzing the Mobilization of Conflict Narratives on Social Media” and contribute to teaching in selected BA/MA programmes at the Faculty. The position also includes an extensive training programme. The PhD candidate will be supervised jointly by associate professor Mike Huiskes, assistant professor Joanna Chojnicka and assistant professor Dimitris Serafis.

The PhD Project
Embedded in Critical Discourse Studies (CDS), this research project aims to map the complex landscape of conflict narratives on social media, exploring how different actors – from official government agencies, mainstream media outlets, to independent journalists, and civic society – tell the story of conflict on social media, and how these narratives shape public knowledge. More than ever before, today’s wars and conflicts are taking place right in front of our eyes: on the screens of our computers and smartphones. Social media in particular have become a powerful platform for sharing information about wars and conflicts – but also for turning them into a spectacle exploited for profit. The sheer number of social actors involved in reporting conflicts on social media and their varied interests make it increasingly difficult for news consumers to find unbiased information and critically engage with it. An important aspect of the project is its educational component, embedded in Critical Language Awareness (CLA) theory. The project aims to develop guidelines, recommendations and resources for educators and/ or journalists to foster awareness of the power of language and discourse in social life, including the skills of assessing the credibility of sources, recognizing different perspectives, and understanding the workings of power, ideology and bias.

You will be asked to

- Engage in regular meetings with supervisors to discuss the PhD project development.
- Write three publishable articles/chapters, with supervisory guidance.
- Complete the PhD in the specified timeframe (4 years).
- Teach in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of the project.
- Attend and present ongoing research at conferences, colloquia, summer/winter schools.
- Participate in the activities of relevant research groups, such as DisCo (Discourse & Communication), Center for Language and Cognition (CLCG) and RESPONSUS.
- Move to Groningen or its immediate vicinity.

Organisation
Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 27,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, Linguistics and Media and Journalism Studies.