Playful engagement with Politics in the time of misinformation

About the Project

Background: Education and knowledge have long been considered core factors in explaining why individuals engage in political and civic activities (Galston, W.A., 2001, Ashley, Maksl and Craft, 2017). The emergence of the notion of “fake news” and increased targeted misinformation however make it more and more difficult to distinguish between credible sources of political information and those promoting alternative content, with potentially malicious intent (Pennycook and Rand, 2021; Munger et al, 2022). Concurrently, media consumption and communication habits are changing, moving towards less traditional and more fast-moving methods of information exchange and increasingly into an end-to-end encrypted space, in which moderation and fact-checking become more difficult (Kamara et al., 2022, Kazemi et al., 2022).

Aim: This project aims to investigate novel digital ways and strategies to improve political engagement and political literacy, with a focus on using games and other playful approach. It will consider the most effective ways for distributing political knowledge in a changing world of media consumption and communication, while also asking how the credibility of information can be ascertained.

Academic qualifications

Have, or expect to achieve by the time of start of the studentship a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, ideally in Computer Science, HCI, Digital Media and Communication, Political Science or Psychology.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

• Experience of fundamental user/human facing research methods
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time management
• Only a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level in a subject relevant to the PhD project will be considered, or equivalent achievements.

Desirable attributes:

• Competent in or willing to engage in multidisciplinary research
• Knowledge of or interest in politics and political education
• Practical experience in research or industry will be considered an advantage.

When applying click here

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (download)
• Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about:
  1. Background and motivation of the project. The motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
  2. Research questions or objectives.
  3. Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
  4. List of references.

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

To be considered, the application must use

• the advertised title as project title

For informal enquiries about this PhD project, please contact Dr Hanne Wagner via email h.wagner@napier.ac.uk