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11/01/19 – Loughborough (UK). 2 Phd scholarships about “social media, influencers, and online misinformation”Two fully-funded PhD studentships at the university of Loughborough (UK)1. Understanding the Spread of Online Misinformation That Rejects Scientific Consensus: Audiences, Platforms, and Algorithms2. What Role Do Social Media Influencers Play in Spreading Misinformation and Disinformation?Scholarships are now available for entry in October 2019.TOPICS1. Understanding the Spread of Online Misinformation That Rejects Scientific Consensus: Audiences, Platforms, and AlgorithmsPrimary Supervisor: Professor Andrew ChadwickSecondary Supervisors: Dr Martin Sykora, Dr Cristian VaccariPlease quote reference number: OCC19-P1UThis project will examine the interrelationships between people’s motivations for sharing information, the types of information they share (such as media sources and statements by elites of various kinds), and the affordances of video sharing platforms, particularly YouTube. The project will compile a dataset of misleading information rejecting scientific consensus on selected key issues of our time, such as, for example, climate change or health. It will undertake content analysis as well as examine audience interpretations and responses. The project will also assess the role of algorithmic power in shaping people’s exposure and responses to misinformation rejecting scientific consensus and explore how the spread and societal impact of such misinformation might be reduced.2. What Role Do Social Media Influencers Play in Spreading Misinformation and Disinformation?Primary Supervisor: Professor Louise CookeSecondary Supervisors: Dr Suzanne Elayan, Dr Simone NatalePlease quote reference number: OCC19-P2WWhat drives people to behave in democratically-dysfunctional ways in the online environment, and how can we change this behaviour? This project will develop culturally-sensitive concepts for designing new algorithms to detect social media influencers who spread misinformation and disinformation on social media. Through a perspective attentive to the ethical and cultural implications of human-machine interactions on social media platforms, it will both improve understanding of the values embedded in platform algorithms and the role social media influencers play in spreading false information in online networks. The work will sit at the interdisciplinary intersection of computational text mining, applied data science, sociolinguistics, media theory, theories of artificial intelligence, and normative ethical theory.APPLICATION &#38; DEADLINEClosing date for application: January 11, 2019.Requirements: at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) by start of project. A Master’s degree will be an advantage.Funding InformationOpen to UK/EU and International graduates with backgrounds in relevant disciplines. For UK/EU students the studentship provides a tax free stipend of £14,777 per year (pending 2019 increase) for three years and covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate (currently £7,750, pending 2019 increase). International students may apply: in this case the studentship will cover only the International tuition fee (£17,100 pending 2019 increase) and no stipend. You will register for 1st October 2018.Contact DetailsDeirdre Lombard, Postgraduate AdministratorEmail address: D.Lombard@lboro.ac.ukTelephone number: +44 (0)1509 223879Apply online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research. Under programme name, select Social Sciences. Clearly mark your application “Online Civic Culture CDT.” Include a full indicative research proposal outlining how you would conduct the research.Interview date: In February 2019. Date to be confirmed after shortlisting.