{"word_count": 564, "character_count": 3917}
PhD Studentship - ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Partnership PhD Collaborative Studentship 'Gender in the Online Far Right: Mapping Transnational Linkages and Fractures'.Affiliation : Swansea University (Criminology).Financement pour étudiants britanniques ou ressortissants de l'Union européenne.Montant du financement (plein temps) : £15,009 par an.Date butoir pour les candidatures : 3 février 2020.Présentation du poste‘Gender in the Online Far Right: Mapping Transnational Linkages and Fractures’ in collaboration with the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI).Both academic research and policy have historically neglected the role of gender in extremism and terrorism. Yet this situation is changing. There are growing calls for more work exploring not just the role of women in extreme movements, but of masculinities and femininities. Following recent far right attacks utilising social media, such as that in Christchurch, New Zealand, there is a fresh impetus for research. In particular, authors point to the importance of regressive gender politics in the constitution of far right ideologies of identitarians, incels and others. Yet far right movements also attract women, including as leaders. As new movements mobilise against communities including migrants, Muslims, feminists, and LGBQT people in the online space, there are significant gaps in knowledge. In particular, the digital age has enabled the global transmission of gendered far-right practices and narratives, and the far-right is increasingly designated a ‘transnational’ movement. Yet, there is little work which identifies, maps and details the specific gendered ways in which ideas, actions and actors online ‘cross borders’.This project addresses this gap. Its aim is twofold: to analyse online English language textual data and to map far right social media networks, in order to identify the precise means by which far right narratives and actions spread transnationally. Platforms to be studied include YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. From a starting point of key influencers with a known transnational following, such as Colin Robertson (aka “Millennial Woes”), the work will identify further key individuals, contemporary groups and movements, and the nodes through which transnational networks connect. The student will use tools including GEPHI and PYTHON to identify the (mainstream) discourses intersecting with far right movements and ask, how does gender politics within the far right intersect with local political institutions? Which narratives are shared, and in which directions? During this mapping phase, textual data will be gathered for discourse analysis. The research therefore emphasizes the ways in which online extremism is embedded in, and not distinct from wider social norms.The student will undertake this study of contemporary online far right movements drawing on existing literatures on online, the far right, and gender. It is expected that the resulting research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the contours of the online far right, and the intricacies of gender within them. It will also inform government policy on counter-narratives, and social media companies’ efforts to combat extremism on their platforms.EligibilityAcademic eligibility - Candidates should have an excellent background in the social sciences, holding a 1st or upper 2nd class degree; applications from those also holding a relevant research training Master's degree (or an equivalent background in research training) will be considered for a ‘+3’ award.Residential criteria - Due to funding restrictions, these scholarships are not open to international candidates. Please visit our website for more information on eligibility.Funding: The studentship provides the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees and an annual stipend. There will be additional funds available for research expenses.