Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2021.
Applications are invited for a full-time 3-year PhD studentship within the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST), based in the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. The studentship will be supervised by Professor Lorraine Hope (Portsmouth), Dr Feni Kontogianni (Winchester) and Professor Stacey Conchie (Lancaster).
The successful applicant will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£15,609 for 2021/22). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables.
Research conducted for this PhD may:
- Investigate what factors contribute to the successful elicitation of sensitive information in online contexts
- Explore the differential effects of trust and rapport in the elicitation of sensitive information in online contexts
- Assess what interviewer strategies promote trust and rapport in online elicitation contexts
Project description
This PhD will primarily focus on the roles of trust and rapport in the effectiveness of online elicitation techniques, and how these relationships are influenced by factors such as metacognition, context and culture. Using innovative methodologies across a number of experimental (and where possible, field) studies, the PhD will answer questions such as:
- What factors contribute to the successful elicitation of sensitive information in online contexts?
- What are the differential effects of trust and rapport in the elicitation of sensitive information in online contexts?
- What interviewer strategies promote trust and rapport in online elicitation contexts?
You will join a wider group of academic, postdoc and PhDs engaged in projects examining social and cognitive psychology aspects of information gathering and security threats. As part of this group, you will be expected to contribute to meetings, present findings at academic conferences, and publish findings in academic journals. You will also be a member of the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST) and be encouraged to engage with relevant stakeholders in the security and intelligence agencies, helping them understand the research and its relevance to their practice and policy.
Entry Requirements
You should have a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Holding or expecting to gain a Masters qualification and/or having other research experience will be an advantage. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
Specific candidate requirements
You should be motivated, ambitious, and able to demonstrate an interest in the advertised PhD area.
How to Apply
If you wish to discuss the studentship informally or if you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Lorraine Hope ([Email Address Removed]) quoting the project code.
To apply, please submit a completed online application form together with a personal statement, current CV, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees and proof of your English language proficiency. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code PSYC6251021 when applying.
Deadline for applications: 4 May 2021 (12pm GMT)
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