[Commlist] Funded PhD opportunity: Data visualisation in practice

Funded PhD opportunity: Data visualisation in practice



The University of Greenwich, London, is offering a Vice Chancellor’s 
Scholarship for the PhD project: /Data visualisation in practice: 
articulating spatial forms of knowledge./ This is a fully-funded 
opportunity (fees + bursary at the UKRI rate, for 3 years FT or 6 years 
PT), based in the School of Design's Media Portfolio.


Project description

While quantitative analysts widely acknowledge that the creation of data 
sets involves selection and interpretation, less critical attention has 
been paid to how the graphical display of data shapes understanding. 
Visualizations of data are neither neutral nor transparent – they entail 
the translation of numerical data into spatial forms which can be 
apprehended as images, thus morphing information which may be non-linear 
and multi-dimensional into forms which are determined by the parameters 
of the human senses. Moreover, these processes of visual interpretation 
are imbued with a range of assumptions and cultural biases which require 
further scrutiny, because they contain codes and hierarchies inherited 
from the history of visual culture –for example, presuppositions about 
what constitutes a “scientific image” based on Western notions of 
objectivity (Johanna Drucker, 2020). This raises the question of whether 
visualisation practices could be decolonised to democratise knowledge 
production and communication. We invite proposals for practice-led 
research projects that would contribute to critical understanding of 
data visualization practices by excavating the assumptions, articulating 
how knowledge is transformed in the translation from numerical to visual 
formats, and exploring the potentials of using data visualizations to 
engage diverse audiences in current problematics.


The candidate will contribute to the growth in practice-led digital 
media research in the School of Design and will have access to the 
purpose-built media facilities in our Stockwell Street building and will 
be supported by a supervisory team expertise in media theory, digital 
humanities, and creative practice-research. Articulating spatial forms 
of knowledge data visualizations are an essential means of communicating 
knowledge in the contemporary world.


Research proposals should identify a specific area of knowledge 
production where data visualisation has potential social, cultural, or 
environmental impact; define a target audience to communicate with; and 
outline a practice-led methodology to test the effects of articulating 
information visually.

The deadline for applications is 16 September 2022. Further details and 
person specification can be found here:

https://docs.gre.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/292906/vcs-flas-03-22-web-advert-2022-07-15-14-43-09-307.pdf<https://docs.gre.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/292906/vcs-flas-03-22-web-advert-2022-07-15-14-43-09-307.pdf>

And details of how to apply:

https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/research-studentships-and-scholarships<https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/research-studentships-and-scholarships>

Candidates who have questions or would like an informal discussion of 
their proposal prior to submitting their application are welcome to 
contact lead supervisor, Dr Hannah Lammin: (Hannah.Lammin /at/ gre.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(Hannah.Lammin /at/ gre.ac.uk)>

---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ commlist.org)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------