[Air-L] PhD in Digital Media Infrastructure, Energy, and the Environment at University College Dublin

[Patrick Brodie]

Dear all,

Find details below of an Ad Astra PhD Scholarship in Digital Media
Infrastructure, Energy, and the Environment in the School of Information
and Communication Studies at University College Dublin. Please share with
anyone who might be interested!

https://www.ucd.ie/ics/study/phdresearchprogrammes/
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*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)
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
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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/
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 and
https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/studywithus/applicationprocess/
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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.



-- 
Dr. Patrick Brodie
Lecturer/Assistant Professor (Ad Astra Fellow)
School of Information and Communication Studies
University College Dublin