ConflictNet Postdoctoral Researcher (Online Speech)
Grade 7: £34,308--£42,155 per annum
Reporting to Nicole Stremlau, the post holder will be a member of a research group in the Centre for Socio Legal Studies with responsibility for carrying out research for the European Research Council- funded project ConflictNet.
The post-holder will specifically contribute to a research stream that examines issues of online content moderation, including the role of AI. Analysis of online debates, including hate speech, disinformation and incitement to violence in Africa. Related to this is identifying the range of emerging information controls, such as internet shutdowns, bots, or algorithms, that actors are using to influence online discussion in Africa.
The postholder will Contribute to ConflictNet’s Work Package that focuses on analysing online speech, including hate speech, disinformation, and incitement to violence. This involves collaborating with research assistants, fulfilling reporting requirements and collaboratively delivering research outputs; develop research frameworks and methods for researching online speech particularly in complex environments; oversee data collection and analysis by research assistants and prepare working theories and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining theories as appropriate
The successful candidate should hold a PhD, or be near completion in Law or a related subject;a publication record in the field of internet law and policy; experience with contributing ideas for new research projects particularly related to information controls (such as internet shutdowns), content moderation, hate speech, algorithmic bias, and freedom of expression; experience contributing to research funding applications; excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research network at meetings and sufficient specialist knowledge on freedom of expression, hate speech, internet controls and the law to work within established research programmes and networks
The post is full time and fixed term until 31 July 2023
The postholder will be based in the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Manor Road Building, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UQ
Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via www.recruit.ox.ac.uk and enter vacancy ID: 160698. Closing date for applications is midday on Monday 24 October 2022. Interviews will be held as soon as possible after the closing date.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to arrange for two references to be submitted before the interviews take place.