Research Assistants x 2, Analysis of Survey on Mis-/Dis-information & Hate Speech in African Countries

Internal Applicants Only

Deadline: 12 July 2023

Nicole Stremlau and Caitlyn McGeer are looking for two research assistants to help with the analysis of survey data on mis/disinformation and hate speech online in Africa. The survey has been rolled out in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Ghana so far, and the ConflictNET team is scaling up to other African countries as well. The research assistants will be required to support ongoing analysis and dissemination of the survey, particularly as it relates to conducting aspects of the analysis. There may also be opportunities for co-authoring papers.

Duration and hours

Working hours: a total of up to 290 hours per research assistant across the duration of the project, to be agreed with the project supervisor.

Start date: 14 July 2023

Date by which the work must be completed: 31 January 2024

The hours and duration for this work will entail the Research Assistant exceeding for a limited time the Law Faculty's usual limit of 8 hours per week for graduate students. The Research Assistant, unless exempt from these restrictions, must therefore ensure that they are able to undertake this work without exceeding a reasonable average of 8 hours per week across the academic year and across all projects.

Reporting

The Research Assistants will report to Caitlyn McGeer.

Requirements

• A background in research methods, surveys, and/or media/internet studies is essential.
• Ability to conduct survey analysis and data cleaning is essential
• A reasonable understanding of hate speech, and/or mis/dis-information is  essential
• Good admin and IT skills are essential.
• A knowledge of other research programmes and organizations working in this field would be desirable.

The work can be done in any place in the UK where you have access to a good library and internet. Meetings with the PI/team members will be held in-person in Oxford or held online.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to current graduate students in the Faculty of Law and in other departments in the University of Oxford's Social Sciences Division. 

It is expected that the work will be undertaken in the UK.

Rate of Pay

The work will be paid at £17.02 per hour (including the exceptional non-consolidated uplift for 2022-23), which equates to University Grade 6, point 1, on the basis of completed and approved timesheets, which must be submitted to payroll@law.ox.ac.uk by the last Friday of each calendar month for payment on the last working day of the following month.

In addition, paid annual leave will be assumed to be taken in the month in which it was accrued.

Funding

This opportunity is funded by the ERC ConflictNet project (CXR00100).

How to Apply

A short CV and cover letter (including the name of your supervisor) should be sent by email to caitlyn.mcgeer@csls.ox.ac.uk by 12th July 2023. Please explain how you meet the requirements for the role, and give details of your availability. Supervisors may be asked for a reference.

Enquiries about the project are welcome, and may be addressed to Caitlyn McGeer (caitlyn.mcgeer@csls.ox.ac.uk). General queries, e.g. about the appointment process, or eligibility, may be addressed to research@law.ox.ac.uk.