ECREA WEEKLY digest ARTICLES

University of Stirling

Communications, Media & Culture (CMC) wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced candidate at Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Grade 9 (Teaching and Research) with specialist interests in Media Production Studies to expand the Division’s research, teaching, and knowledge exchange activities and in this area. The successful candidate will join our award-winning production team and will contribute to the strategic direction of production studies in CMC through leadership in research and external funding initiatives, excellent teaching and impact activities, including public engagement and short-course opportunities, and will serve as a liaison between practice-based media production modules and theoretical approaches.

The post holder will have an established profile as a researcher in media production studies, for example in digital storytelling, audio and video production, digital, creative, media and cultural industries, production policy, and media/digital audiences. As a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, they will play a crucial role in providing leadership in media production research in liaison with our practice-strong production team. This will include managing our home and international partnership programmes in Digital Media, ensuring the delivery of innovative, research-based and industry-relevant education to our students and expanding our strategic research partnerships with external stakeholders across media production and creative industries.

The candidate will be an excellent communicator who is able to lead research and teaching teams, effectively liaise with our practice-based work and teach, motivate and mentor undergraduate and postgraduate students. They will lead and deliver teaching principally on MSc in Digital Media and Communications and BA Hons in Digital Media, but also contribute across the CMC undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio. Post holders may be required to travel abroad as part of their duties.

Applicants with specialist knowledge, skills or interests in one or more of the following areas are invited to apply:

• Digital storytelling and content creation
  
• Video and audio production
  
• Contemporary television studies
  
• Factual television and video documentary
  
• Audio documentary and podcasting
  
• Production for online platforms
  
• Interactive media
  
• Media/digital audiences
  
• Screen industries
  
• Digital, creative, cultural and media industries
  
• New directions in digital media and communication
  
• Cultural and (social) media policies and regulation
  
• Digital media research methods
  

The post holder will be a researcher who has an established research profile in media production studies at Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor level, evidenced by published research, peer reviewed scholarly activity, research leadership and record of attracting research funding. They will have a strong understanding of various new forms of video, audio and digital production and the processes behind these in the 21st century digital age, in relation to complex social issues (e.g. social justice, environmental sustainability, circular economy, smart cities, human rights, health and wellbeing, creative futures). They will engage effectively with internal departments within the University and external stakeholders to pursue opportunities for collaboration, income generation and enhancing CMC’s regional, national, and international profile.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Alenka Jelen, Head of the Division of Communications, Media and Culture: alenka.jelen@stir.ac.uk

Applications are due 4 December 2023.

Pay scale: Grade9 £56,021-£64,914 p.a.

For a full list of duties, detailed job description, and online application portal, please visit https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/work-at-stirling/list/details/?jobId=3875&jobTitle=Senior%20Lecturer/Associate%20Professor%20in%20Media%20Production

University of Vienna

Apply HERE

The University of Vienna is internationally renowned for its excellence in teaching and research, and counts more than 7,500 academics from all disciplines. This breadth of expertise offers unique opportunities to address the complex challenges of modern society, to develop comprehensive new approaches, and educate the problem-solvers of tomorrow from a multidisciplinary perspective.

At the Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of Vienna seeks to appoint a

Tenure-Track Professor in the field of Media Literacy

The position

The focus of the tenure track professorship is on media literacy. Applicants should be internationally established and cover the dimensions, antecedents, processes and/or consequences of media literacy. The position is open for excellent candidates of various specializations informed by and/or focused on communication science and open to all epistemological and methodological approaches within the area of media literacy research.

Your academic profile:

• Doctoral degree/PhD
  
• Two years of international research experience during or after doctoral studies
  
• Outstanding research achievements, excellent publication and funding record, international reputation
  
• Experience in designing of and participating in research projects, ability to lead research groups and acquire third-party funding
  
• Enthusiasm for excellent teaching and supervision at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level

We expect the successful candidate to acquire, within three years, proficiency in German sufficient for teaching in bachelor’s programmes and for participation in university committees.

We offer:

• the opportunity to obtain a permanent position and eventual promotion to full professor; the initial contract as Assistant Professor is limited to six years, after positive evaluation of a qualification agreement the contract becomes permanent as Associate Professor; Associate Professors can be promoted to Full Professor through an internal competitive procedure.
  
• a dynamic research environment
  
• a wide range of research and teaching support services
  
• attractive working conditions in a city with a high quality of life
  
• an attractive salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff (level A2) and an organisational retirement plan
  

Application documents (in English):

Letter of motivation
Academic curriculum vitae

• education and training (PhD Certificate, PDF)
  
• positions held to date
  
• parental, family or other care leaves as applicable
  
• awards and honors
  
• commissions of trust
  
• previous and current cooperation partners
  
• complete list of acquired third-party funding and, if applicable, of inventions/patents
  
• list of most important scientific talks (max. 10)
  
• teaching and mentoring
  
• supervision experience (Master and PhD), if applicable

List of publications

• link to your own publicly accessible ORCID record, with a complete and current publication list
  
• three key publications as electronic full text version (PDF, max 30 MB)
  

Research statement

• most important research achievements (max. 2 pages) and planned future research activities (max. 4 pages)
  
• synopsis of three key publications with relevance to the position advertised
  
• publication strategy
  

Teaching and supervision statement

• teaching and supervision concept, including a description of the previous and planned priorities in academic teaching and supervision (max. 2 pages)
  
• teaching evaluations (if available, PDF)

If you have any questions, please contact:

tenuretrack.personal@univie.ac.at

Only applications submitted through the link below will be considered.

We look forward to new personalities in our team! 

The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

Data protection

​Application deadline: 01/15/2024

Reference no.: 1652

Popular Culture Studies Journal

Deadline: February 28, 2024

The Popular Culture Studies Journal is seeking authors to review works on any aspect of American or international popular culture. Specifically, we are interested in reviews of recent (i.e., published within the last two years) scholarly monographs or anthologies and general interest books examining all areas of popular culture from a variety of perspectives. We will also consider older seminal pieces that deserve a second look. For a list of books to review, please visit Booklist for Reviews.

In addition, we are soliciting reviews of films, videos, websites, games (both digital and analog), theater, or any other popular works that have been published, released, performed or posted in the last two years. Once again, we will also consider older seminal works that deserve a second look. We only ask that reviews of popular media texts highlight how such works might be used in pedagogical or scholarly situations. If you wish to review a popular media text, you must submit a brief rationale for the relevance of the review. A short paragraph outlining why you think the text is worthy of review in the journal will suffice.

Reviews should adhere to the ethos of the Popular Culture Studies Journal, meaning they should be largely positive with any criticism of the work being constructive in nature. For more information about this journal, please visit the Popular Culture Studies Journal website. 

Written reviews should be roughly 800-1,000 words and should be typed, double-spaced with 12-point Times New Roman font.  Research and documentation must adhere to The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers and The MLA Style Manual, 8th edition, which requires a Works Cited list with parenthetical author/page references in the text. Punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, and other matters of style must also follow The MLA Handbook and The MLA Style Manual. Additional information can be found at the Purdue Online Writing Lab website. If you are interested in submitting any alternative form of review, please contact reviews editor Christopher J. Olson directly with your proposed format. Guidelines will be determined depending on the proposed format.

Reviews should be sent electronically to Christopher J. Olson at olson429@uwm.edu with "PCSJ Review" and the author’s last name in the subject line. Reviews should include both the review and the reviewer’s complete contact information (name, university affiliation, address and email).  Reviews should be sent as Microsoft Word attachments in .doc or .docx format, unless an alternative format has been approved by the editor.

To be considered for the April issue, reviews must be submitted by February 28th. 

To be considered for the October issue, reviews must be submitted by August 31st.

If you are interested in reviewing for the Popular Culture Studies Journal or if you are an author or publisher with a work you would like to have reviewed, then please contact the reviews editor at the following address or email:

Christopher J. Olson, Reviews Editor

Email: olson429@uwm.edu

Alternate email: chrstphrolson@gmail.com 

May 23-24, 2024

University of Bologna (Italy)

Deadline: February 29, 2024

 15th Media Mutations Conference

Organized by Paola Brembilla and Marco Cucco (Università di Bologna), Christopher Meir (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

Confirmed Keynote Speaker:

Courtney Brannon Donoghue (University of North Texas)

In an age defined by digital transformation and the global circulation of cultural products, intellectual property has assumed a central role in shaping the landscape of media industries.  From film and television to music, literature, and beyond, the management and governance of intellectual property are pivotal to the production, distribution, and reception of creative content.

 

Intellectual property (as expressed and protected by copyrights, trademarks, patents, etc.) encompasses the intangible assets that form the foundation of creative and cultural expression in the media industries. IPs are the driving force behind the economic vitality of media sectors, influencing revenue streams, market dynamics, and business models. Politically, they are subject to complex legal frameworks, international agreements, and debates about access and regulation, making them a powerful instrument for shaping the global media landscape. Narratively, they are the building blocks of captivating stories, beloved characters, and transformative storytelling experiences. Culturally, they define the identity of societies, influence social norms, and play pivotal roles in fostering dialogue, reflecting diversity, and preserving heritage. 

The International Conference Media Mutations 15 – The Matter of Intellectual Property invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to explore and engage with the multifaceted dimensions of intellectual property and specific intellectual properties in media industries. This conference aims to foster a comprehensive dialogue that analyzes both the economic and legal aspects of the concept but that also delves into the political and cultural dimensions of intellectual property management.

In our pursuit of a deeper understanding of intellectual property management in media industries, we encourage collaboration across diverse academic disciplines. Intellectual property is a multifaceted field, and its management touches upon economics, law, political science, cultural studies, and more. We seek to bring together scholars and researchers from these various disciplines to evaluate how different research methods can be brought together to generate new insights, approaches and collaborations. Through this interdisciplinary exchange, we can address the complex challenges and opportunities that intellectual properties present in media and work collectively toward holistic solutions to the problems found in the media industries.

Acknowledging the global nature of media and cultural exchange, this conference also emphasizes the need to explore intellectual property management practices, policies, and challenges from diverse regions around the world, in order to shed light on the nuances and variations that exist in IP management on a global scale. For instance, we are interested in how global phenomena (such as that of the Korean Wave) exemplify how effective intellectual property management can lead to economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and a global presence for emerging economies. How does the strategic management of IPs contribute to the global recognition and commercial success of these emerging cultural forces?

Media Mutations 15 encourages submissions that use diverse approaches and methodologies, such as:

The Economy of Intellectual Properties:

·   IP management and business models.

·   Monetization strategies, royalties, and revenue distribution.

·   The role of intellectual property in investment and financing.

·   Corporate strategies and ownership.

·   Market trends, consumer behavior, and the economics of content creation.

The Politics of Intellectual Property:

·   Copyright law, trademark, and patent regulation in the media sector.

·   Policy-making, international agreements, and their implications.

·   Intellectual property enforcement.

·   Ethical considerations in IP governance.

·   The politics of open access, open source, and public domain.

The Cultural Aspects of Specific Intellectual Properties:

·  Cultural impact, diversity, and representation in IP management.

· Opportunities and problems of IPs in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

·  The relationship between IPs and creative freedom.

·  Fan cultures, remix culture, and participatory media in the digital age.

·  Franchise storytelling and IPs in the convergence era.

The official language of the conference is English. Abstracts (300-500 words for 20-minute talks) should be sent to submissions@mediamutations.org by February 29th, 2024. Please attach a short biography (maximum 150 words) and an optional selected bibliography (up to five titles) relevant to the conference theme. The conference will be in person, with no option for remote presentation. Notification of acceptance will be sent by March 18th, 2024. A registration fee will be requested after notification of paper acceptance (€80 for speakers and professional attendants).

This Conference is promoted by the Media Mutations Association and financially supported by DAMSLab, Dipartimento delle Arti, Università di Bologna, the Master in Management del Cinema e dell’Audiovisivo (Università di Bologna), and The Academy of Korean Studies, in collaboration with Centro Dipartimentale La Soffitta.

The Conference is sponsored by the Film Studies Section and the Television Studies Section of ECREA. 

Tuesday 21 November 2023 at 3.00pm to 4.00pm

Zoom (Registration Details below)

Event webpage: https://www.lse.ac.uk/digital-futures-for-children/launch-event

Hosted by 5Rights Foundation and the Department of Media and Communications at LSE

Abstract: Building on the groundbreaking work of the Digital Futures Commission, we are pleased to announce Digital Futures for Children (DFC) - a research collaboration between 5Rights Foundation and the London School of Economics and Political Science. Professor Sonia Livingstone, Director of Digital Futures for Children, will set out the centre’s ambition and Chair Baroness Kidron will discuss opportunities for advocacy for children's rights approaches to the digital world. There will also be an interactive panel discussion entitled: Realising children’s rights in the face of rapid technological innovation. It will include contributions from experts and the opportunity to ask questions, discuss the centre’s research plans, and learn how webinar participants can get involved. We will ask:

- What role do (and should) child rights play in redesigning and redeveloping the digital world?

- How can realising children’s rights in a digital world benefit their lived experiences?

How to register: You can register for the event here: https://lse.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=203ea1f1378695f5f4bd9c437&id=4ad4b286a6&e=f26c3988a9

About the speakers: Sonia Livingstone OBE is Professor of Social Psychology in the Department of Media and Communications at LSE and is Centre Director of Digital Futures for Children. Beeban Kidron OBE is a British filmmaker, Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, and an advocate for children’s rights in the digital world. She is the Founder and Chair of 5Rights Foundation.

About Digital Futures for Children: Digital Futures for Children (DFC) is a joint research centre between LSE and 5Rights Foundation which advances understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by digital technologies for children's rights and needs. Our goals are framed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General comment No. 25 on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment - the authoritative statement in international law of how the UNCRC should be implemented by states worldwide in relation to all things digital.

Deadline: December 15, 2023

We are pleased to announce a Call for Papers for Mediatization Studies, Vol. 7. The volume will be dedicated to: Field-specific mediatisation(s). We publish theoretical and empirical research concerning media studies. In particular, we are interested in papers that situate mediatisation in different social fields, in different national and cultural contexts, and in different time-space settings. 

The deadline for submission of full papers for Volume 7, 2024, "Mediatization Studies" is 15 December 2023.

"Mediatization Studies" is the first open access, free of charge, international journal devoted entirely to the theory and processes of mediatization. See previous volumes: https://journals.umcs.pl/ms/issue/archive

Registration and submission: https://journals.umcs.pl/ms/login; 

Author Guidelines: https://journals.umcs.pl/ms/about/submissions#authorGuidelines

December 1, 2023 

Goethe Institut, Prague, Czech Republic 

Prague Media Point 2023 Conference 

About: 

Prague Media Point fosters the work of media specialists for the public good. Aiming for interdisciplinarity, we gather scholars, journalists, media executives, and other experts to exchange experiences, establish new relationships, and debate the challenges facing both traditional and new media. These issues are presented in an international context, with a greater focus on CEE and Western Balkans, with both their specific and shared challenges, so that a trans-border dialogue continues. We seek to showcase examples of innovations, methods, and approaches that enable both private and public service media to fulfil their mission in the public space. 

In 2023, Prague Media Point focuses on investigative journalism, on cross-border and cross-sectoral collaborations between journalists and media, and on the wider frame of media regulations that are being developed in Europe. These three areas are vital for our general strive for a more resilient and sustainable media system, and in turn, democracy. 

Among the confirmed speakers are: 

• Anna Gielewska, Fundacja Reporterow, Deputy Director, Poland 
  
• Jovana Bojanovic, KRIK, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Serbia 
  
• Lela Vujanic, Sembra Media, Project Oasis Research Manager, Croatia 
  
• Peter Erdelyi, Center for Sustainable Media, Director, Hungary 
  
• Tomáš Kriššák, Gerulata Technologies, Senior Stratcom Consultant, Slovakia 
  
• Christian Christensen, University of Stockholm, Journalism Professor, Sweden 
  
• Danuta Bregula, MDIF, Expert-in-Residence, Poland 
  
• Lutfi Dervishi, Investigative Journalism Lab, Trainer, Albania 
  
• Jeremy Bransten, Regional Director for Eastern Europe, RFE/RL, Czechia 
  
• Patrick Leusch, Deutsche Welle, Head of European Affairs, Germany 
  
• Zlatina Siderova, European Journalism Centre, Programme Lead Grants, Netherlands 
• Tadeusz Kowalski, University of Warsaw, Associate Professor, Poland 

Join us in Prague on December 1, 2023, to get inspired by the work of your colleagues from different backgrounds and countries, to learn more about what's working elsewhere, to discuss how can we move forward and what it takes to make the media sphere more sustainable. 

For more information go to: www.praguemediapoint.com 

To register for the conference, please go to: https://bit.ly/3RXz4Av 

Contact: Marek Přeček, Project Coordinator, precek@keynote.cz 

LSE

LSE is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive university

Apply here: https://jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/2736/0/408611/15539/research-officer-in-digital-futures-for-children

Media and Communications

Research Officer in Digital Futures for Children

Salary from £40,229 to £48,456 pa inclusive with potential to progress to £52,095 pa inclusive of London allowance

This is a fixed term appointment for 3 years

Digital Futures for Children (DFC) is a joint research centre between LSE and 5Rights Foundation. Through critical and practical research, the DFC aims to generate insights and innovative solutions to ensure that the digital environment respects and promotes children's rights. It will provide an evidence base for advocacy, facilitate dialogue between academics and policymakers, amplify children's voices and foster collaboration among relevant experts and stakeholders.

Working under the direction and guidance of the DFC Director, the Research Officer will deliver the above-outlined research plan. Duties and responsibilities will include the following:

·       Analyse and research complex ideas, concepts, theories and findings relating to children’s rights in the digital environment.

·       Demonstrate expertise in designing, conducting and critiquing appropriate methodologies.

·       Review, synthesise and disseminate a wide range of relevant research from multiple disciplines.

·       Design and manage a process of peer review for assessing research commissions and reports.

·       Contribute to the formulation of peer reviewed research grant proposals.

·       Initiate, manage and sustain links with external bodies and research contacts to foster collaboration and dialogue.

·       Present research findings at academic and policy conferences and events.

Candidates will have a PhD and relevant research experience that demonstrates the capability to produce independent original research. Experience of writing up research for publication in a variety of modes including peer reviewed journals, expert reports and public-facing outlets and the ability to demonstrate expertise in designing, conducting and critiquing appropriate methodologies.

Please attach electronic copies of two publications, which can be working papers or academic papers or public-facing reports or blog posts, that are relevant to this post on the Supporting Documents section of the online application form. Applications without these additional documents will not be considered. 

We offer an occupational pension scheme, generous annual leave, hybrid working, and excellent training and development opportunities.

For further information about the post, please see the how to apply document, job description and the person specification.

To apply for this post, please go to www.jobs.lse.ac.uk. If you have any technical queries with applying on the online system, please use the “contact us” links at the bottom of the LSE Jobs page. Should you have any queries about the role, please email Media.Research@lse.ac.uk.  

The closing date for receipt of applications is 13 November 2023 (23.59 UK time). Regrettably, we are unable to accept any late applications.

May 21 – May 24, 2024

Stuttgart, Germany

 Deadline: February 26, 2024

One of the WebSci’24 events on the 21st of May 2024 will be the Interdisciplinary PhD Symposium, offering PhD students the opportunity to present and discuss their research plans and ongoing research for an interdisciplinary audience. We aim for a lively and engaged discussion, maximizing early-stage ideas exchange and interdisciplinary discussion on emerging or novel ideas/research.

To achieve this, we are seeking up to 5 pages (including references, appendices, etc.) single-blind submissions, and the student should be the single author. All papers should adopt the current ACM SIG Conference proceedings template (acmart.cls). Please submit papers as PDF files using the ACM template, either in Microsoft Word format (available at https://www.acm.org/publications/proceedings-template under “Word Authors”) or with the ACM LaTeX template on the Overleaf platform, which is available at https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/association-for-computing-machinery-acm-sig-proceedings-template/bmvfhcdnxfty. In particular; please ensure that you are using the two-column version of the appropriate template.

All contributions will be judged by the PhD Symposium Program Committee. Accepted submissions will be included in the WebSci’24 companion proceedings and allowed for oral presentation during the PhD Symposium on May 21. Further, a limited number of travel grants is foreseen (please follow the WebSci’24 dissemination channels for further details).

The Web Science conference welcomes participation from all disciplines including, but not limited to, arts, computer and information sciences, communications, economics, humanities, informatics, law, linguistics, philosophy, social and political sciences, psychology, and sociology, in pursuit of an understanding of the Web. This conference is unique in bringing these disciplines together in creative and critical dialogue. We particularly welcome contributions that seek to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Possible topics for submissions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Theoretical, methodological, and ethical approaches for web science
  
• Web practices – individual and/or collective and/or institutional
  
• Web science and AI
  
• The architecture and philosophy of the web
  
• Web science and the Internet of Things
  
• Web economics
  
• Web science and cybersecurity; personal data, trust, and privacy on the web
  
• Web governance, democracy, intellectual property, and the commons
  
• Web access, literacy, and development
  
• Temporal Web analytics
  
• Knowledge, education, and scholarship and the web
  
• Health and well-being online
  
• Humanities, arts, and culture on the web
  
• Data curation and stewardship in web science
  
• Web archiving
  
• Communities on the Web

Please upload your submissions via EasyChair by selecting the ACM-WebSci24 PhD Symposium track at: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=acmwebsci24

Important Dates (tentative):

Mon., February 26, 2024: Paper Submission Deadline

Mon., March 18, 2024: Notification

Mon., April 8, 2024: Camera-ready Versions due

Tues., May 21, 2024: PhD Symposium

Tentative PC (tentative)

• Nathalie Aussenac-Gilles, IRIT, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
  
• Gianluca Demartini, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  
• Stefan Dietze, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
  
• Shady Elbassuoni, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
  
• Georgiana Ifrim, University College Dublin, Ireland
  
• Adam Jatowt, University of Innsbruck, Austria
  
• Mouna Kacimi, University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy
  
• Ivana Marenzi, L3S Hannover, Germany
  
• Eirini Ntoutsi, University of the Bundeswehr, Munich, Germany
  
• Isabella Peters, Kiel University, Germany
  
• Markus Strohmaier, University of Mannheim, Germany
  
• Mark Weal, University of Southampton, UK
  
• Katrin Weller, Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Germany
  

KU Leuven

(ref. ZAP-2023-111)

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60258809?hl=en&lang=en

The fulltime professor position will be held within the Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, a research unit within the Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven (Belgium). KU Leuven represents a leading academic institution in Europe that is currently the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure. The university’s mission is to provide excellence in academic education and research and to offer a distinguished service to society. Owing to KU Leuven’s cutting-edge research, KU Leuven is a charter member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in Europe.  Within KU Leuven, the Leuven School of Mass Communication Research (SMCR) represents a pioneering institution for media effects research. The research focus of SMCR lies on the use of information- and entertainment media (including social media, ICT, television, games, mobile devices), and on how these uses may harm or enhance various components of individuals’ wellbeing and social cohesion. We have a strong expertise in explaining the processes through which various forms of media use affect physical, psychological and social wellbeing in the long run, and the conditions under which these processes occur. Therefore, a series of advanced methods are applied, including longitudinal survey studies, daily diary studies and content analysis. Issues studied in recent years include, for example, alcohol and drug use, (positive) sexuality and sexism, risk taking, depression, self-harm, (positive) body image, and mental and physical wellbeing.  The School adheres to the highest academic standards and strives towards publishing its research in top academic journals (e.g., Journal of Communication, Human Communication Research, New Media & Society, Media Psychology). SMCR staff is involved in various national and international multidisciplinary research projects, primarily of fundamental nature but also with societal relevance.

Website unit

Duties

• Research
  

You will be expected to develop an international research program, aim at excellent scientific output of international level, and support and promote the School for Mass Communication Research in national and international research collaborations. These research efforts should be situated in the broad field of digital media effects. Digital media technologies influence all spheres of society and social life. These digital media technologies and the related digitalization bring along an immense potential of growth in a multitude of spheres of human activity. At the same time, digital media and their effects have been criticized for having a questionable role in negative transformation processes of society and human relationships. The opportunities and threats that digital media generate in today’s society are expected to be central in the research of the applicant. More precisely, your research focuses on the development of innovative theory and advanced research techniques in this field. You have a strong background in predominantly quantitative research methods and have demonstrated research excellence in various ways (e.g., top ranked ISI publications, awards, societal impact etc.).

With this vacancy we aim to further strengthen the research and complement the expertise at SMCR. We are looking for a candidate with a strong experience in the understanding of the mechanisms that underlie changes in wellbeing or social cohesion brought along by digital media uses with the ultimate aim to use this knowledge to address the risks digitalization poses and empower young citizens living in a digitalized world.

Specifically, with this position we aim to further strengthen and expand the research at SMCR. Consequently, your research is expected to relate to the aforementioned lines of research of SMCR and to complement this research in one or more ways.

We welcome excellent scholars who complement SMCR research lines on digital media in terms of (1) themes (e.g., (but not limited to) media literacy, health communication, environmental communication, emotion & cognition, artificial intelligence, digital media affordances, influencers, …), and/or (2) quantitative methods (e.g., (but not limited to) the development and testing of mediated promotion and intervention campaigns, computational and digital social science methods, statistical modelling, data visualization, or psychophysiological research), and/or (3) audiences (e.g., (but not limited to) minorities, people with addictions). In close collaboration with SMCR staff, you contribute to the existing lines of research and set up your own program through the acquisition of research funding.

• Education
  

The Department of Communication Science, consisting of two research groups SMCR and IMS, organizes the Bachelor and Master of Communication Science, the (English) Master in Digital Media and Society, and is involved in the Master’s program of Business Communication and Journalism. Your teaching will contain several courses at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level and will include theoretical and methodological courses on communication science. You supervise students working on their master thesis and PhD students.

Your teaching is expected to meet the KU Leuven standards regarding academic program level and orientation and to be in keeping with the educational vision of KU Leuven. Commitment to the quality of education as a whole is naturally expected.

• Service
  

You provide scientific, societal and internal services. This is reflected, among other things, in a constructive contribution to education and research, as part of a team's collective projects (e.g. through participation in meetings, teacher days, information sessions, recruitment activities, exchange programs), and service to the academic community (e.g., service to academic associations such as ICA and journals (reviews)), education (e.g., participation in program committee meetings), and faculty (e.g., participation in faculty council etc.) You have an elaborate network of important stakeholders in the field, and have collaborated with these stakeholders to create societal impact and disseminate research.

Profile

Applicants hold a Ph.D. degree in communication sciences, social sciences, psychology, or an equivalent diploma. We seek a scholar with a broad theoretical- and interdisciplinary interest and a strong background in quantitative research methods, whose research both relates to and complements the current research lines at SMCR. The successful candidate has an excellent research record as evidenced by more than one dimension, e.g., the quality of their PhD research, high-level publications in the important journals of our field (i.e., ICA journals) and related fields, research impact (e.g., citations) and acquired research funding. We attach great importance to professional and value-driven behavior, an attitude of sharing, mentoring and inclusivity, and collegiality, and will encourage the candidate to collaborate with SMCR researchers as well as with interdisciplinary research groups and centers within KU Leuven. The candidate has a large international network and is eager to further develop this within the context of SMCR.

Applicants have demonstrated excellent teaching skills (including when teaching for large groups) and have a broad employability due to in-depth and detailed knowledge about the social sciences, media sociology and media psychology. In addition, the candidate has demonstrated excellent leadership skills (e.g., through the (current) supervision of PhD students), and is a strong team player.

The official administrative language used at KU Leuven is Dutch and there is a legal requirement to become proficient in Dutch up to a certain level. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in administrative meetings and over time to teach in Dutch. A thorough knowledge of English is required.

Offer

We offer a full-time employment in an intellectually challenging and international environment. You will work in Leuven, a historic and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam. 

You will be appointed as a tenure track professor for a period of 5 years, after which, in the event of a positive evaluation, you are permanently appointed as associate professor. Immediately upon starting you will be able to independently develop your own line of research, serve as a supervisor of dissertations, and raise your own research funding.

To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase a starting grant of 110.000 euro is offered to new professors without substantial other funding (e.g., ERC).

KU Leuven welcomes international scholars and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration and administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching,…

Interested?

For more information please contact:

Prof. Dr. Laura Vandenbosch (Research director School for Mass Communication Research), mail: Laura.Vandenbosch@kuleuven.be. 

Prof. Dr. Stef Aupers (Program director Communication Sciences), mail: Stef.Aupers@kuleuven.be 

Prof. Dr. Steven Eggermont (Dean Faculty of Social Sciences), mail: Steven.Eggermont@kuleuven.be 

For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than February 05, 2024 via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.