We are pleased to announce the availability of a new Sociology PhD scholarship. The successful applicant will work on the research topic: ‘A decline in poor UK risk reporting’.
From the late 1980s the UK became notorious for the volume and poor quality of media reports suggesting risks to our health and security. At its most extreme particular newspapers explicitly campaigned to raise the spectre of dangers from sources such as genetically modified organisms. In the last decade there is a perception of a reversal in this trend, in the context of new developments within journalism, risk communication and campaigning for evidence based approaches. Yet this perception remains untested and unsubstantiated, and this will be the objective of this scholarship. Using both quantitative and qualitative media content analysis this PhD study will set out to identify patterns in risk reporting over time and isolate explanatory factors.
The successful candidate will also hold a prestigious fellowship at the British Library, and have access to the unique resources of the library and their assistance with the project. The candidate will be under the supervision of Adam Burgess, Professor of Risk Research at Kent. David Spiegelhalter, Winton Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge will also advise on the project.
For more information and details on how to apply please visit the School’s scholarship pages. The deadline for applications is 23.59 on Wednesday 27 April 2016.