Positions in Communication, information and social inequalities in a digital world

This theme focuses on how digital media and technologies change communication and public debate and how this affects social inequalities. How are social, cultural and political participation shaped online and what barriers hinder participation? How do citizenship, social cohesion and identities change due to communication in digital societies and how does this relate to political transformations? We want to strengthen our expertise in three domains in particular:

• 'Online news and information, and public debate' focuses on communication on digital platforms and how this affects the reliability of news and information, social cohesion and polarization, and the quality of public debate.
• 'Digital exclusion and social inequalities' focuses on processes of digital inclusion and exclusion, digital literacy and how social inequalities are replicated online.
• 'Digital governments and informed citizenship' asks how governments can communicate effectively with citizens, embed public values in digitalization policies, such as the use of algorithms in its processes, and foster informed citizenship.

We are looking for candidates with areas of expertise that may include but are not limited to:

• Platformization and datafication of news and information
• Misinformation, filter bubbles and echo chambers
• Practices, ethics and interdependencies of digital journalism
• Digital literacy and empowerment of citizens
• Processes of digital inclusion and exclusion
• Digital citizenship and public values
• Digital media and power configurations in political communities
• Algorithmic practices and government policies
• Computational analysis of news and information

Teaching

Depending on the candidates’ experience and expertise they will be embedded in one or more of the following degree programmes:

• BA programmes in American Studies; Communication and Information Studies; European Languages and Cultures; History; International Relations and Organizations; Media Studies; Middle-Eastern Studies
• BSc programme in Information Science
• (Research)MA programmes in Communication and Information Studies; Datafication & Digital Literacy; Digital Humanities; Euroculture; International Relations; Journalism; Middle Eastern Studies; North American Studies; Social Media & Society

Research

Depending on the candidates’ experience and expertise they will be embedded one or more faculty research institutes and centres and university-wide research schools and centres. Options include but are not limited to:

Faculty of Arts:

• Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG):
  • Centre for Arts in Society (AiS)
  • Centre for International Relations (CIRR)
  • Centre for Media and Journalism Studies (CMJS)
  • Centre for the Study of Democratic Cultures and Politics (DemCP)
• Centre for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG)

University-wide research institute and schools:

• Jantina Tammes School for Digital Society, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence
• Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health
• Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development
• Centre for Digital Humanities

How to apply?

For information about the application procedure including the application form, see the application procedure page.

Information

For more information about the positions in Prosperity, participation and citizenship in a digital world - Communication, information and social inequalities in a digital world you may contact prof. Marcel Broersma.

Please do not use the email address shown above to apply.