[Commlist] Call for Applications: Predoctoral Research Grants at DIGILAB Research Group

The *DIGILAB Research Group* at the School of Communication and 
International Relations, Blanquerna – Ramon Llull University 
(Barcelona), is pleased to announce *one predoctoral research grant*. 
This position is designed to support high-quality PhD research in the 
field of *Communication Studies* and will begin on *October 1, 2025*.

The grant offers:

  *

    *4 years of fully funded doctoral research*

  *

    *Annual gross salary of €17,911.03 (initial, can be complemented
    during the PhD with other research grants)*

  *

    *Tuition-free enrollment* in the Doctoral Program in Communication

  *

    *Integration into a recognized research group*

We welcome research proposals aligned with one of the following areas:

*● Journalism, Disinformation, Trust, and Society*
This line analyzes the relationship between media, citizen trust, and 
disinformation in contemporary democracies. It explores how public 
perceptions of journalism, transparency, and editorial independence 
influence media legitimacy, and examines disinformation as a core threat 
to democratic debate. Special attention is given to the mechanisms of 
misleading content production and circulation, and the media's role in 
combating it. Trust is seen as a dynamic construct, crucial to social 
cohesion and democratic vitality.

*● New Communicative Actors and Social Polarization*
This area investigates emerging digital figures—such as podcasters, 
YouTubers, influencers, and other content creators—and their influence 
on the public sphere. It explores how these actors shape ideological 
narratives beyond traditional journalism, with potential to foster 
pluralism or intensify polarization. The focus is particularly on their 
impact on younger generations and their role in shaping values, 
identity, and political attitudes.

*● Artificial Intelligence, Journalism, and the Transformation of Media 
Ecosystems*
This line explores the growing impact of AI on journalism and 
communication, from both technological and critical perspectives. It 
addresses how AI alters professional practices (automation, 
personalization, algorithmic curation), redefines responsibility and 
trust, and may amplify disinformation or bias. Projects may also explore 
the implications for freedom of expression, informational diversity, 
digital sovereignty, and the evolving relationships between audiences, 
content, and media institutions.

*Application deadline:* September 2, 2025

For more information on how to apply, please contact me at:
(jaumesm /at/ blanquerna.url.edu)

We would be grateful if you could circulate this opportunity among PhD 
candidates or early-career researchers who may be interested.



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