Background
Misinformation and fake news have had a substantial negative impact on the management and control of the current pandemic of COVID-19 and our own research has demonstrated how misinformation can a disease outbreak worse. The Norwich School of Medicine is seeking a PhD student to work with Professor Hunter and his team to better understand the causes, and/or prevention of misinformation around COVID during the past two years.
Methodology
Depending on their experience and interests the student will be able to choose the focus of their research and the methods they bring to answering their chosen research question. Research methods could include qualitative research with people exposed to such fake news, mathematical modelling, epidemiological studies and surveys or analysis of social media or more traditional media. The student may choose to focus on a single issue such as spread of information about ivermectin (recommended by health authorities in some countries in spite of no high-quality evidence to suggest any benefit) or more general issues such as the impact of fake news on people’s wellbeing.
Training
A wide range of training opportunities will be available within UEA and the student will be encouraged to take part in activities organised by the HPRU. Working with UKHSA provides access to infectious disease experts and public health practitioners.
Person Specification
We are looking for someone with either a background in Epidemiology and Public Health or the Humanities such as communication studies or social psychology.
The successful candidate will be part of the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response led by King’s College London and in partnership with University of East Anglia and the UK Health Security Agency.
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