The Department of Digital Design and Information Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in digital activism. The postdoc position is affiliated with the research project SHAPE – Shaping Digital Democracy funded by Aarhus University.
The postdoc position is a full-time and fixed-term position. The position begins on 1 September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position ends on 31 December 2023.
The School of Communication and Culture is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.
SHAPE
SHAPE – Shaping Digital Democracy is Aarhus University’s newly established centre, which aims to promote digitalisation that supports democracy and citizenship. Based on an interdisciplinary research agenda, SHAPE will provide knowledge that qualifies the public and political debate by informing decision-makers, legislators and other relevant actors, and will deliver concrete technologies, methods and guidelines that support digital citizenship. SHAPE builds on a strong Scandinavian tradition of research in democracy and information technology (IT) and combines critical perspectives on IT with action-oriented approaches based on citizen involvement in the development of IT. SHAPE investigates how the digital citizen is defined and managed partly in the welfare state and partly on the tech giants’ social media platforms. In addition, SHAPE’s purpose is to develop digital citizenship by focusing on activism and citizen-engaged IT development. Through interaction and cross-fertilisation between several sub-projects, SHAPE will provide a holistic understanding of the digital citizen and digital citizenship, which is highly needed in a Danish and international context.
Postdoc position
The position will be part of the work package: Digital Activism. Whether corporate or state-controlled, the digitisation of the citizen often gives rise to opposition, critique and search for alternatives beyond a focus on maximising profits or immediate convenience. Digital activism is here understood as software and network-related practices (including digital art) that address mass digitisation itself, including power asymmetries, societal issues and social injustices in a broad sense (rather than the use of digital media as a means for activism or participation in social movements). Examples include when citizens choose non-commercial Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS), encrypted search engines, or self-hosted servers and applications; when they develop new tools and services that draw attention to or circumvent mass digitisation; or simply when they choose to opt out. A distinctive feature of a sustainable democracy is its ability to accommodate such activism that questions the normalisation of digital technology and imagines better or more inclusive futures. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how digital activism understands and potentially contributes to the development of digital citizenship.
Against this background, we are looking for applicants to deliver individual postdoc projects under the auspices of the work package in digital activism, while contributing to SHAPE’s collective task of developing insights into digital citizenship. The proposed project should address research and practice in digital activism, and provide knowledge of one or more of the following areas:
- the formation of digital citizenship within diverse practices of digital activism
- DIY self-hosted servers, networks and applications as forms of activism
- digital activism in relation to platform culture
- digital activism in relation to experimental publishing and making publics
- the opportunities of digital activism to influence digitalisation in a democratic society
- the relation between digital activism and policy making or areas of governance
Applicants and projects that can combine theoretical insights with critical design practice, such as the development of specific software tools, workshops or exhibitions that promote digital activism and citizenship, are encouraged to apply, as are applicants whose projects bring a historical, software studies or interface critical angle to the project. Applicants should be able to build and sustain relevant networks with other researchers in SHAPE, including researchers in other departments and faculties as well as with a living culture of digital art and activism. Applicants must demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to engage productively both within the research team and with external organisations and institutions.
The successful applicant will be expected to conduct new original research in the areas defined above; publish in relevant journals, academic books and non-academic publications on digital art and activism; help coordinate the project activities, including possible guest seminars, researcher visits and public engagements; participate in project meetings and joint events; work collaboratively with the principal investigators (PI and co-PI) and other team members; actively develop the research area, including identifying and maintaining contact with academic and non-academic partners; and develop follow-up grant applications for the project.
The project PI, Associate Professor Christian Ulrik Andersen, and co-PI, Associate Professor Winnie Soon, will coordinate the research and mentor the research project in order to support the career development of the postdoc.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in a relevant field (e.g., aesthetics and digital culture, software studies, interface criticism, media studies, STS) related to issues of digital art and activism. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:
- an internationally oriented research profile within a relevant field as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications
- experience of the self-directed management of research projects.
Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants can document
- a track record of research publications of a high international standard, as commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career
- experience of participation in national and international research networks
- skills in working with research communication and public engagement.
Finally, please note:
- Applicants are asked to provide a proposal for research to be undertaken within the stated framework of the research project (max. 2 pages).
- Applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum five) will not be considered.
- Although the Aarhus University application system includes an option to upload letters of recommendation, do not include letters of recommendation or references with the application. Applicants who are invited to an interview may be asked to provide references
Work environment
Active participation in the daily life of the department is a high priority, and we emphasise the importance of good working relationships, both among colleagues and with our students. In order to maintain and develop the department’s excellent teaching and research environment, the successful applicant is expected to be present at the department on a daily basis.
We respect the balance between work and private life and strive to create a work environment in which that balance can be maintained. You can read more about family and work-life balance in Denmark.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.
International applicants
International applicants are encouraged to read about the attractive working conditions and other benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a wide variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and an AU Expat Partner Programme. You can also find information about the taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.
The department
The place of employment is the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
Prospective applicants are invited to view the department’s website.
School of Communication and Culture
The school is a part of the Faculty of Arts. You will find information about the school and its research programmes, departments and diverse activities on its website.
Contact
For further information about the position, please contact the principal investigator (PI), Associate Professor Christian Ulrik Andersen, cua@cc.au.dk.
If you need help uploading your application or have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR support by email: hsi@au.dk.
Qualification requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.
Formalities
Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities(the Appointment Order).
- Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
- Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in theMemorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.
- Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.
- The application must outline the applicant’s motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than five examples). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/
If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. Application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts:shortlisting
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.
The faculty contributes to Aarhus University’s research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 275 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.
The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.
The faculty’s academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction withsociety.
Read more at arts.au.dk/en
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/