Swansea University, supported by the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership for Wales (Wales DTP), invites applications for funded PhD study, available to start in October 2021. The following collaborative studentship is available in the Empirical studies in law pathway of the ESRC Wales DTP:
‘Countering Online Terrorist Propaganda whilst Respecting the Right to Free Speech’ in Collaboration with the Tech Against Terrorism
The right to free speech is enshrined in law at the national, transnational and international levels. It is also widely regarded as an essential component of an effective counterterrorism strategy. At the same time, however, the ready availability of terrorist propaganda and instructional content online is a pressing concern for policymakers and gives rise to questions regarding the legal limits to freedom of expression. Understanding, balancing, and implementing these competing obligations is also a significant challenge for tech companies, especially small platforms. This is manifest in the “Christchurch Call”, signed by numerous national governments and tech companies following the live-streamed attacks on two mosques in New Zealand in 2019. The aim of the Call is the “elimination of online terrorist content” whilst maintaining a “free, open and secure internet”.
Specific challenges that the student might choose to study include:
- The extreme right: removing extreme right propaganda presents unique challenges. The extreme right “milieu” comprises a fast-changing and complex overlapping of individuals, groups, movements, political parties and media organs – very few of which are officially designated as terrorist groups. Things are complicated further by the variety of powerful actors that identify with this content, leading some to question the propriety of removing it.
- Media coverage: a study of the dissemination of the Christchurch attack video found that it went viral only after two British newspapers shared it online. Similarly, an IS video of the immolation of a Jordanian pilot reached an audience of millions after it was shared by Fox News. Examples like these have led to concerns that news media coverage serves to amplify the terrorist message.
- Researchers’ responsibilities: some published work has provided detailed descriptions of how terrorist groups have successfully evaded the automated content removal technology of the biggest platforms whilst some online repositories of terrorist propaganda have no registration requirement or password protection. This has led to concerns that researchers may be increasing the discoverability of such materials.
Using a combination of traditional legal analysis, stakeholder interviews and content analysis, the aims of the project are to: (1) produce an empirically-grounded analysis of the application of the right to free speech in efforts to combat online terrorist content by examining the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders who are tasked with implementing the “Call”, and; (2) advance understanding of how the right to free speech applies in contemporary digital environments which is significant given that the leading case law on this right pre-dates the advent of social media. The project will make a contribution at both the theoretical level (offering empirically-grounded insights to debates about how to address competing rights/interests in counterterrorism law/policy) and the policy/practical level (assisting in the development of primers and best practice guides for TAT to use in its outreach work with the tech industry).
We welcome applications for both full- and part-time study. Studentships are available as either ‘1+3’ (i.e. one full-time year of a research training master’s degree followed by three years of full-time doctoral study or the part-time equivalent) or ‘+3’ (i.e. three years of full-time doctoral study or its part-time equivalent), depending on the needs of the applicant. Swansea University values diversity and equality at all levels and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Begin your postgraduate research journey at Swansea University: a top 30 research university (REF 2014) producing internationally recognised research that makes a real difference to society. We provide a welcoming environment for PhD researchers with specialist training, advice and development opportunities. As an ESRC Wales DTP researcher, you will also benefit from cohort-based networking events and dedicated ESRC Wales DTP student representatives at each campus.
SUPERVISION
This studentship is a ‘collaborative’ award. Applicants should carefully consider the working title and description of the project and may wish to contact the named supervisor and / or the Swansea pathway contact for a discussion prior to applying. They are:
- Main Supervisor: Professor Stuart Macdonald (Macdonald@Swansea.ac.uk)
- Pathway contact: Dr Caroline Jones(jones@swansea.ac.uk)
Eligibility
A fully-funded Wales DTP studentship is available to both UK and international (including EU and EEA) students. All applicants will be eligible for a full award consisting of a maintenance stipend and payment of tuition fees at the UK research organisation rate. Applicants must satisfy studentship eligibility requirements. For further details, see the UKRI web site.
Academic eligibility:
ESRC studentships are highly competitive. Candidates should have an excellent background in the social sciences, holding a first or an upper second class bachelor’s degree; applications from those who hold a relevant research training master’s degree (or have an equivalent background in research training) will also be considered for a ‘+3’ award.
If applicable, a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0 with no less than 5.5 in any individual component (or Swansea University recognised equivalent) is required. For more details, please read the University’s English Language entry policy.
Employment:
Full-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold either a full-time job or a permanent part-time job during the period of their award. Part-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold a full-time job.
Funding
The studentship provides the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend. There will be additional funds available for research expenses.
Studentship awards commence in October 2021 and will cover your tuition fees as well as a maintenance grant (currently £15,285 per annum for 2020/21 for full-time students, updated each year) and includes access to an additional Research Training Support Grant (RTSG). There are other opportunities and benefits available to studentship holders, including an overseas fieldwork allowance (if applicable), internship opportunities, overseas institutional visits and other small grants.
A ‘1+3’ studentship provides funding for four years (or part-time equivalent), involving the completion of a research training master’s degree in the first year, followed by 3 years’ research funding for a PhD. A ‘+3’ studentship provides funding for the three years of PhD research study only (or part-time equivalent).
How to Apply
The application must contain the following documents and be submitted to esrcdtp@swansea.ac.uk:
- Covering letter: please address to Dr Caroline Jones. The covering letter must set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Swansea University and the chosen pathway; your understanding and expectations of doctoral study; and your academic interests generally, particularly those relating to your proposed research. The covering letter should be no more than two pages. Please specify whether you wish to apply on a ‘+3’ or ‘1+3’ basis. Remember also to specify that your application concerns ESRC Wales DTP general studentships and include in your application the name(s) of your prospective supervisor(s).
- Research Scholarship Application Form
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring Form_Ffurflen Monitro
- Academic / professional qualifications: please provide copies of certificates and transcripts. Where appropriate, this should also include proof of English Language Competency (7.0 IELTS minimum).
- References: all applications require two academic references to be submitted in support. Candidates must approach referees themselves, and submit the references with their application.
- Curriculum Vitae: it should be no longer than two pages.
- Research Proposal: for collaborative studentships, the proposal should build directly on the outline description that has been supplied. The proposal should be up to a maximumof 1,000 words, not including bibliographic references. We suggest that you use the following five headings in your research proposal:
- Your reflections on the title, aims and purpose of the research;
- An overview of some key research literature relevant to the study;
- Your proposals for developing the design and methods of the study;
- A description of potential outcomes of the project for understanding, knowledge, policy and practice (as appropriate to the topic);
- Bibliographic references.
Please note that incomplete applications or applications that are received after the specified time will not be accepted.
The deadline for applications is noon on 3 February 2021.
Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview; interviews are expected to take place in March 2021. After interview, a final shortlist of applicants will be forwarded to a panel that is convened by the ESRC Wales DTP Management Group and at which final decisions with regard to studentship awards will be made. In most cases, successful applicants can expect to hear by mid-April 2021.
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Dr Caroline Jones (caroline.jones@swansea.ac.uk).
