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Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
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The Social Psychology Group of the University of Groningen invites applications for a PhD position. This new position is part of the Vidi project of Namkje Koudenburg “The conversational dynamics of polarization: bottom-up drivers of societal division and democratic resilience”, funded by NWO. The successful candidate will work together with Prof. Namkje Koudenburg and Prof. Lise Jans.
Polarization (e.g., on topics of climate change, immigration etc) is one of the most urgent challenges facing Western democracies today. The Vidi-project investigates how face-to-face conversational dynamics contribute to radical polarization, and how they can be harnessed to promote healthier democratic discourse. Integrating social-psychological theorizing with insights from political, cultural, and communication studies, this project aims to analyse how micro-level dynamics in everyday conversations shape perceptions of polarization and public discourse. The core aims are to understand the principles of bottom-up polarization and develop guidelines for de-escalating discussions in both laboratory micro-societies and in applied settings. Through partnerships with governmental bodies, the applicant will co-develop interventions to improve democratic discourse—particularly in public participation initiatives.
The PhD candidate will work on three sub-projects. Sub-project 1 assesses polarizing conversational dynamics in laboratory micro-societies. We are interested in how (experimentally induced) perceptions of structural polarization impact conversational dynamics. Using a mixed-method approach, we examine effects on change trajectories of observed conversational dynamics and self-reported psychological experiences in social networks. Sub-project 2 experimentally manipulates the flow of conversational dynamics in video-taped interactions to examine how these affect perceptions of structural differentiation, and willingness to engage with like-minded and opposing individuals. In collaboration with a governmental partner, Sub-project 3 aims to design and test an intervention to improve deliberation within small group discussions, by reducing the relational threat stemming from opinion differences.
Where are you going to work?
The Department of Psychology has an excellent scientific reputation reflected, among others, in high rankings. The Social Psychology group is known for outstanding research in group processes, inter-group relations, with an emphasis on conflict, diversity, well-being, communication, and collective action. This standing is reflected, among other things, in the impact of our research in the international academic community. But we also conduct highly impactful ‘applied’ work that focuses on some of the most pressing issues and topics nationally and regionally. Because of this, the group has established excellent connections with partners across the breadth of society. We offer teaching at all levels of the Bachelor and Master curriculum, including the faculty’s Research Master of Behavioral and Social Science. For more information about the group, seehttps://www.rug.nl/gmw/research/psychology/research-units/social-psychology/ Beyond this, the PhD will be part of the national graduate school of social and organizational psychology, the Kurt Lewin Institute.
What are you going to do?
- Theorize and develop your own research questions.
- Lead a series of experimental laboratory studies.
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
- Coordinate and organize the set-up of a field intervention study.
- Collaborate closely with project partners (e.g. a governmental partner), to conduct the research and to disseminate your findings in practice.
- Publish the results of your studies in international scientific journals, and present your studies at international conferences.
- Teach in undergraduate psychology courses.
Who are you?
We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:
- A (Research) Master’s degree in social psychology or a related discipline.
- A solid training in social psychology, quantitative methods and statistics.
- Experience with the qualitative analysis of conversational data.
- Experience with theory-driven research with a clear eye for practical implications.
- An excellent academic record.
- Eagerness to publish international articles and write a dissertation.
- Demonstrable competences as conceptual capacity, presenting, monitoring, planning and organizing.
- Excellent command of English and academic writing skills.
- A good command of Dutch spoken and written language is a plus.
- The ability to manage collaborations with partners in and outside academia (e.g. relevant stakeholders).
- A team player with strong communication skills.
