The CRN, at the University of Huddersfield, is delighted to announce 2 competitive PhD fee-waivers for September 2025.
The prolific growth of technology has engendered a plethora of next-generation media and communication platforms (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok) that facilitate technology-supported interactions between individuals across the globe. In line with views on the need to further investigate the psychological phenomena that emerge as a result of the human interaction with digital technology, and the need to develop a research network that can facilitate such expertise, Professor Maria Ioannou and Dr Calli Tzani established the Cyberpsychology Research Network (CRN). The CRN brings together international and national academics and researchers, who acquire recognized expertise and experience in the impact of the technological evolution in the cyber environment, including social media. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to develop their research, but also gain career-enhancing teaching experience and teaching-related skills.
Proposals are invited in the following areas:
- Online human behavior.
- Psychological impact of the utilization of social media.
- Online interactions.
- Online deviant behaviour.
- Online communities.
- Online interpersonal relationships.
- Internet-facilitated personas.
- Offline impact of online actions.
- Transitional integration of online behaviour to offline behaviour.
Funding information
The PhD fee waivers will cover full tuition fees at UK rate and provide the opportunity to apply for funding to support attendance at research-related conferences. Fee-waivers will be awarded through an open competition to applicants wishing to commence full-time PhD studies in September 2025 and will be renewable annually for up to 3 years, subject to satisfactory research progress. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute an average of 6 hours per week to teaching and teaching-related activities.
Students who are unable to complete their studies are required to refund the fee-waiver awarded.
Eligibility
The Network will consider applications from promising candidates of any nationality. Candidates should already hold a 1st Class Honours Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (UK or UK equivalent). 2:1 will be considered if other achievements can exhibit academic and/or practical excellency.
For those whose first language is not English and/ or if from a country where English is not the first language (as recognised by the UKBA), a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 7.0 (with no elements lower than 6.5 or equivalent) is required, unless the degree was taught in English and obtained in a majority English speaking country, e.g. UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand etc as recognised by the UKBA.
Administrative contact and how to apply
The ideal applicant would normally be expected to pursue an academic career and be willing to disseminate research outcomes in high quality international academic journals and conferences, and to engage with policy through external grants applications. They will be positioned within the CRN and supported by a research active staff and PGRs that are members of the Network.
Candidates are required to complete an online application form via https://www.hud.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/how-to-apply/. Required information includes a research proposal (please copy and paste the information below into your application), two academic reference letters, copies of degree certificates and transcripts and proof of English language proficiency (if English is not your first language).
Important note: in the research degree application form, mark it clearly with:
- Award you are applying for: Dr of Philosophy (Psychology)
- Please clearly indicate in your proposal and the application process that you are applying for the offered fee waivered PhD scholarship under the Cyberpsychology Research Network.
- Supervisors (main): Professor Maria Ioannou & Dr Calli Tzani
Further information or for an informative discussion, please contact Professor Maria Ioannou at m.ioannou@hud.ac.uk & Dr Calli Tzani at K.TzaniPepelasi@hud.ac.uk.
Deadline
The deadline for the receipt of applications is 13 June 2025 for September/October 2025 start date.