The Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP) of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies is looking for a
Doctoral Researcher
to work on the project “An Apomediated Peace? The Role of Digital Technologies in International Peacebuilding”, led by Dr. Andreas Hirblinger and funded through an Ambizione
Grant of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
Application deadline: April 18th, 2021
Start date: September 1st, 2021 (or earlier, upon mutual agreement) Duration: 36 months
About the Project:
Efforts to prevent violence and build peace have become increasingly digitalised. Today, conflict parties and stakeholders widely use digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) to further their interests and agendas. Organisations that aim to contribute to building peace similarly employ a range of technologies, for both specialised tasks, such as conflict analysis, strategic communication or consultations, and in more ubiquitous ways. To examine the role of digital technologies in international peacebuilding, the project will investigate how peacebuilding efforts are shaped by digitalization across three country contexts (Tunisia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka – additional case studies may be added at a later stage). The project draws on the concept of “apomediation”, to suggest that solutions to conflict are no longer simply supplied by human agents, but through a complex entanglement of human-machine networks. The project will conduct a comparative study of contemporary peacebuilding cases, including through a mapping of the apomediation networks in which peacebuilding organisations are embedded, an analysis of the impact of technology on peacebuilding discourse and practice, and a study on the kind of peace that is constructed through the use of digital technologies.
Tasks and responsibilities:
The Doctoral Researcher will support the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Andreas Hirblinger, in the implementation of the research project. They will contribute to the overall execution of the project under the supervision of the PI and will autonomously implement one or several work packages for at least one of the case studies. Extending the research to additional countries may be possible if the additional case study can be aligned with the research design. This post will entail regular field visits, including to countries at the risk, or affected by armed violence.
This may involve in particular:
-‐‑ Mapping of human-machine networks that inform peacebuilding practice, through online and in-country expert interviews, participatory workshops and desk studies.
-‐‑ Analysis of the discursive dimensions of digital peacebuilding, through qualitative and computational social science research on social media and other archival data.
-‐‑ Reconstruction of the effects of technology use on peacebuilding dynamics, including through online and in-country qualitative and ethnographic research.
-‐‑ Documentation of the effects of digitalization on the population’s perceptions and narratives of peace, through panel surveys and ethnographic methods.
-‐‑ Publication and communication of results, including through conference papers, scientific publications and blog posts.
Desired Candidate Profile:
-‐‑ Enrolment in a PhD programme in political science, international relations, sociology, social anthropology or a related discipline, at the Graduate Institute.
-‐‑ Particular interest and expertise in IR and peace and conflict studies and good knowledge of peacebuilding, peace mediation and peacekeeping research.
-‐‑ A strong research interest in digitalization and technology and experience or familiarity with Science and Technologies Studies (STS), material-semiotics approaches and critical approaches to technology.
-‐‑ Good knowledge of methods suitable for the study of technology, in particular digital ethnography, Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) or computational methods. Experience with Phython or R-based research software may be of advantage.
-‐‑ Creativity and a motivation to explore new and underdeveloped research fields. Ability to work autonomously, self-driven and able to collaborate remotely. Strong organizational and communication skills.
-‐‑ Fluency in oral and written English and French. Knowledge of Arabic may be an advantage.
What we offer:
-‐‑ Participation in a highly topical research project that combines critical peacebuilding research grounded in research-practice partnerships with new methodological approaches.
-‐‑ The opportunity to autonomously conduct research for a PhD thesis within the framework of the research project. The synergies between the thesis and project and the modalities for collaboration will be discussed during the interview process.
-‐‑ Funding for field visits and conference participation, in line with the project budget.
How to apply:
To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV by email to ccdp@graduateinstitute.ch, addressed to Dr. Oliver Jütersonke (CCDP Head of Research). Please elaborate in your cover letter how your own research can be accommodated within the project. The deadline for this application is April 18h, 2020 CoB. Interviews and assessment exercises will be held in May 2021.
