The role of online/social media platforms in climate change information sharing and adaptation policy in Small Island States

There is growing attention on how the public is being informed about environmental challenges and climate change. This global concern contributes to and is reflected in local, national and international plans and policies, while all affected communities seek to be informed via reliable and consistent news and information.

This PhD project intends to investigate the role of social media and online news platforms in disseminating news and facts about the impacts of climate change in Small Island States (SISs). It will explore contemporary and historical trends of such platforms in these countries and eventually aims to enhance our knowledge and offer potential avenues for improvement.

A diverse range of approaches and techniques are used for assessing such studies, and the study will choose the most suitable ones. It can also be led to an innovative methodology for broader application.

An enthusiastic applicant is sought for this exciting project to study these and other possible aspects of online/social media representation and sharing patterns. The applicant is normally expected to possess an Honours or Masters' degree in relevant disciplines. Previous experience in media analysis using computational techniques and coding is highly desirable. Applicants originally from those SISs countries who are familiar with the context and politics of media and online news-sharing platforms are desirable.