[Commlist] PhD in Digital Media Infrastructure, Energy, and the Environment at UCD

Posting: https://www.ucd.ie/ics/study/phdresearchprogrammes/ (scroll 
down to "scholarships")


*Ad Astra PhD Scholarship in the School of Information and Communication 
Studies at University College Dublin*____

University: University College Dublin
School: Information and Communications Studies (ICS)
Supervisor: Dr. Patrick Brodie ((Patrick.brodie /at/ ucd.ie) 
<mailto:(Patrick.brodie /at/ ucd.ie)>)
Application deadline: 1 May 2023
Interview dates: 15-16 May 2023
Starting date: 1 September 2023
Position: 100%, full-time position, tuition fees waived by the School
Remuneration: PhD studentship renewable for up to four years and 
consisting of:
    - PhD student stipend of €18k per annum (tax free)
    - €4k per annum towards research costs of the PhD student 
(including conferences)
Eligibility: EU and non-EU students are equally eligible for 
studentships under this award
Requirement: Students accepted under this scheme must meet the 
university entry standards (see below).

*Description of the Post*
The School of Information and Communication Studies at University 
College Dublin is inviting one fully-funded PhD scholarship under the 
supervision of Dr. Patrick Brodie. The PhD student will be working on 
the intersections of digital media/big tech companies and renewable 
energy development through a global framework. Specifically, the 
candidate will be applying qualitative research methods to understand 
the specific entanglements of digital infrastructure and policy with 
issues including global supply chains, mineral extraction, energy 
systems, and climate solutions. This can include research into the 
environmental impacts and implications of data centres and other digital 
infrastructures; the datafication and “smart” operation of renewable 
energy systems; “critical” and “tech” minerals policy and 
anti-extractivism; digital climate solutions and ecosystem services, for 
example in carbon accounting, capture/storage and hydrogen; rural 
development of digital and energy systems; and other similar areas 
addressing overlaps between digital, environmental, and energy systems.____


Candidates may also be interested in the material and environmental 
implications of digital waste, critical data studies, digital political 
economy and ecology, and environmental media and communication (broadly 
defined). Applicants interested widely in media, communications, and 
energy infrastructures will be considered.____

The candidate will apply qualitative communication and media studies 
methods including (but not limited to) interviews, on-site fieldwork, 
policy and planning analysis, critical discourse analysis, and 
stakeholder analysis. Experience or background in methodologies from 
earth science, environmental policy/management, and/or GIS are also welcome.

*Research Area*
The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Brodie, and will contribute to 
an ongoing research project focusing on the environmental politics and 
material histories of digital media and energy systems. Dr. Brodie’s 
research is currently focused on the postcolonial and geopolitical 
factors of Ireland’s just transition in relation to big tech, with 
specific emphasis on cross-border interaction, governance, and 
externalities of digital and energy infrastructures.____


The post-holder will preferably draw from interdisciplinary research 
grounded in critical media and communication studies.____


Other research backgrounds may include, but are not exclusive to, 
geography, anthropology, science and technology studies, environmental 
studies or environmental humanities, information science, critical 
theory, and film studies.

*Responsibilities*
The post-holder will be expected to write and successfully defend a PhD 
thesis focused on the areas listed in the description of the post and 
meet the degree requirements set by UCD to advance through the PhD 
programme. The candidate is also expected to produce research outputs in 
relation to their doctoral research and attend conferences to 
disseminate the research findings. The post-holder will be working 
closely with their supervisor to produce outputs on their combined 
research areas. The candidate will ideally produce single-, first-, and 
co-authored research by the end of the post.____


The post-holder will be expected to contribute to the intellectual life 
of the School and university, and participate in research activities to 
the level and extent of their qualifications.____


The candidate will also be expected to complete a total of 30 ECTS 
credits spread across the post as part of the university’s structured 
PhD path.
Finally, the post holder will be offered tutor and teaching training 
during the course of their studies.

*Role profile*
Candidates are expected to be familiar with and/or proficient in 
qualitative media studies methodologies including, but not limited to, 
site-specific fieldwork, interviews, discourse and policy analysis, 
planning and stakeholder analysis, freedom of information requests, and 
participatory observation. Experience with and ability to leverage GIS 
software towards multi-sited analysis is desirable. Candidates should 
also be familiar with, and/or prepared to engage with, a range of 
intersectional theories and approaches across post- and de-colonial 
environmental studies, anti-extractivist movements, and critical data 
studies.

*Post Requirements*
Strong written command of English is required. English proficiency at 
the C2 or C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for 
Languages (CEFR) is advised.____


Candidates are expected to hold a strong Masters degree of 2:1 and above 
(or equivalent GPA) in Media and Communication, Geography, Anthropology, 
Science and Technology Studies, Environmental Studies or Environmental 
Humanities, Information Science, Sociology, Film Studies, or a similar 
cognate discipline. The candidate should be able to demonstrate 
exceptional organisational experience and skills.____


Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate an ability to 
integrate robust theories in the humanities and social sciences with 
rigorous empirical analysis of industrial and scientific material 
surrounding the digital/energy/environment nexus.
Applications are open to students of all nationalities and backgrounds. 
Women and people of colour are especially encouraged to apply.

*Apply*
Applications need to be submitted via UCD’s application portal:- 
https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/graduateapplicant/applying 


The candidate should apply to Programme Code W139 using the UCD 
Admissions online application portal (a €50 application fee applies). 
Please see the main ICS and UCD Graduate Studies sites for detailed 
application requirements:
https://www.ucd.ie/ics/study/phdresearchprogrammes/  and
https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/studywithus/applicationprocess/

The School of Information and Communication Studies requires PhD 
applicants to submit their curriculum vitae, an applicant statement 
(1,500-2,000 words), and a personal statement (32,000 characters). 
Candidates are advised to describe their research interests, explain why 
they believe this position fits their profile, and include a brief 
description of the topic they would like to explore in their PhD 
project. In addition to that, applicants should submit a writing sample, 
preferably a piece that has been published or a chapter of a thesis, as 
additional information.____

Applications will be reviewed through our system of open, transparent, 
and merit-based recruitment of researchers. Short-listed candidates will 
be invited to an interview for the position, which will be held online. 
Candidates will be given at least five days notice if selected to interview.

For questions related to this post please contact Patrick Brodie at 
(patrick.brodie /at/ ucd.ie) <mailto:(patrick.brodie /at/ ucd.ie)>.


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