[color=#42a6c6][size=3]PSYCHOLOGY: FULLY FUNDED UKRI PHD SCHOLARSHIP: TRUE: TRUST IN USER-GENERATED EVIDENCE (RS189)[/size][/color] [color=#42a6c6][size=2][font=futura-pt-bold, Tahoma, sans-serif]Key Information[/font][/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]Fully Funded UKRI PhD Scholarship: TRUE: Trust in User-generated Evidence: Analysing the Impact of Deepfakes on Accountability Processes for Human Rights Violations  [/size][/color] [size=2][color=#42a6c6]Project start date: [/color][/size] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2]1 October 2023 (Enrolment open from mid-September)[/size][/color][/li] [/ul] [color=#42a6c6][size=2]Project supervisors: [/size][/color] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees (Law)[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Dr Ruth Horry (Psychology)[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Dr Alice Liefgreen (Law)[/size][/color][/li] [/ul] [size=2][color=#42a6c6]Project description:  [/color][color=#000000]TRUE is a five-year research project originally selected for funding by the European Research Council, which is funded by a UKRI Frontier Research grant [no. EP/X016021/1]. Through an innovative interdisciplinary methodology combining legal analysis of trials, large online experiments, and mock jury trials, TRUE will develop the first systematic account of trust in user-generated evidence (such as photos and videos recorded by witnesses on their mobile phones), in the specific context of its use in human rights accountability processes.[/color] [color=#000000]We are seeking to appoint a PhD student to collaborate on one of the key strands of this project, which will focus on investigating how laypeople make judgments about the trustworthiness of user-generated evidence, and what properties of the evidence (e.g. credibility, relevance) and of the evidence evaluator (e.g. social, motivational, and personality factors) influence these judgments. TRUE’s post-doctoral researcher (Dr Alice Liefgreen) will play a lead role in this strand of the project, though there will also be considerable scope for the successful candidate to shape their own research agenda within the parameters of the broader project and its research objectives.[/color] [color=#000000]Throughout the TRUE project, we seek to answer a range of pressing research questions, including but not limited to: (i) do people mistrust user-generated evidence, and why/why not?; (ii) what features of the evidence and/or the individual assessing it influence these judgments?; (iii) how does the evidentiary weight placed on this type of evidence compare to other forms of evidence (e.g. a witness account; DNA evidence)?; (iv) how well-equipped are people to spot deepfakes, and how does this knowledge mediate their perceptions of user-generated evidence?; (v) how likely are people to believe that a real piece of content is a deepfake, and what factors feed into that assessment?; (vi) what are people’s pre-existing knowledge and concern levels about deepfakes, and does that impact on their assessment of user-generated evidence?, and (vii) what are people’s pre-existing levels of trust in media generally, and does that impact on their assessment of user-generated evidence?[/color] [color=#000000]We invite interested individuals with a 2.1 level undergraduate degree and master's degree in Psychology or a closely aligned discipline (e.g., Social and Behavioural Sciences) to apply for this fully-funded PhD position. Candidates should have strong quantitative research skills, to include designing, conducting, and analysing data from experiments.[/color] [color=#000000]Candidates should include a 500-word research proposal, setting out a sample research question (within the scope of the TRUE project) and the methods they would use to answer this research question; this should also include a brief description of the analytic approach that would be used to analyse the data.[/color][/size] [size=2][color=#42a6c6]Eligibility[/color][/size] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Candidates must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis. See ‘[url=https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/entry-requirements/]country specific information for European and international applicants (available at the bottom of the page)'[/url]. [/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][color=#000000][size=2]English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found [url=https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/approved-tests-for-nationals-of-any-country/]here[/url].[/size][/color][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][color=#000000][size=2]This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.[/size][/color][/color][/li] [/ul] [color=#000000][size=2]NB: If you are holding a non-UK degree, please see [url=https://www.swansea.ac.uk/international-students/international-student-courses/]Swansea University degree comparisons [/url]to find out if you meet the eligibility.  If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email [email=pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk]pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk[/email] with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. [/size][/color] [size=2][color=#42a6c6]Funding[/color][/size] [ul] [li][size=2][color=#000000]This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend of £17,668 (UKRI rate).[/color][/size][/li] [li][size=2][color=#000000]Additional research expenses will also be available. [/color][/size][/li] [/ul] [size=2][color=#42a6c6]How to Apply [/color][color=#000000]To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:[/color][/size] [ol] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Course choice – please select Psychology / PhD / Full-time / 3 Year / October In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email [email=pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk]pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk[/email] where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Start year – please select 2023[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Funding (page 8) –[/size][/color][/li] [/ol] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2]‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS189 - PhD TRUE'[/size][/color][/li] [/ul] [color=#000000][size=2]*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: [/size][/color] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2][url=https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/1SLH-SO5/thank-you-for-completing-this-equality-diversity-and-inclusion-monitoring-form-your-response-has-been-recorded]Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form[/url] (online form) [/size][/color][/li] [/ul] [color=#42a6c6][size=2]As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):[/size][/color] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2]CV[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]A sample of academic writing such as an essay or an excerpt from a dissertation[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]A brief cover letter stating suitability for the role[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]500-word research proposal[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the [url=https://www.swansea.ac.uk/media/postgraduate-reference-form-2018.pdf]Swansea University reference form[/url]. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)[/size][/color][/li] [/ul] [color=#000000][size=2]Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees ([email=Yvonne.McDermottRees@swansea.ac.uk]Yvonne.McDermottRees@swansea.ac.uk[/email]). [/size][/color]