Funded PhD opportunity 2024

Marsden project - Dark nudges and sludge: big alcohol and dark advertising on social media

Kia ora

A funded Māori PhD opportunity is available!

We are delighted to announce a PhD scholarship for Māori students within a new Marsden-funded project, and are seeking enquiries from potential candidates nationwide. For your PhD, you would develop your own project aligned to the Marsden project and you will be able to investigate an area that particularly interests you. Ideally you would have a background in social sciences, as well as qualitative research skills and kaupapa Māori research. You do not need to live in Auckland but may need to travel for some team meetings (travel costs will be covered).

The project is a collaboration between Associate Professor Taisia Huckle, SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, Massey University, Dr Acushla Sciascia (Ngāruahine Rangi, Ngāti Ruanui and Te Āti Awa), Māpuna Consultants, Professor Antonia Lyons, Centre for Addiction Research, University of Auckland, Georgia McLellan (Whakatōhea and Ngāi Te Rangi), Massey University and Dr Nason Maani, Global Health Policy Unit, University of Edinburgh.

The Project:

Alcohol companies are using dark nudges and sludge in alcohol advertising on social media to exploit human cognitive biases. Dark nudging can change consumer behaviour against their best interests, increase inequities for vulnerable groups, and may disproportionately affect young people. The study will explore the experiences of dark nudging and sludge among rangatahi Māori and Tangata Tiriti aged 16-24 years using an approach grounded in young people’s online worlds and real-time experiences. Māori understandings of alcohol companies’ social media tactics are critical as exploitative tactics that can restrict mana motuhake and ngā wawata being used in socially mediated spaces, of which Māori are high-users, represents serious risk to rangatahi Māori.

Details:

We hope to appoint by May 2024 and you would be part of the research team for the duration of 3 -years while you undertake research and complete your PhD. The successful applicant will receive an annual tax-free stipend of $35,000 and doctoral fees will paid for 3-years. You will be a key member of the research team, attend regular team meetings, and undertake data collection and analysis that will contribute to your PhD as well as the broader project. You would develop your own project aligned to the Marsden project and investigate an area that particularly interests you.

If you are interested, please send a copy of your latest CV letting us know why you are interested in the project and any experiences or skills that you would bring. We will short list and then interview applicants in April. The closing date for applications: 18th April 2024, 5pm.

Please contact: Dr Taisia Huckle: t.huckle@massey.ac.nz or Dr Acushla Sciascia acushla@mapuna.co.nz.