Doctoral Researcher in Contemporary History: Moving Images and Rural Representations in Europe
Explore audiovisual representations of rural life in Europe from the 20th century to the present through a multidisciplinary, comparative approach.
Best for:Best for historians with expertise in contemporary history, audiovisual analysis, and a passion for interdisciplinary research on rurality and cultural representations.
Overview
This doctoral position at Université Lumière Lyon 2 focuses on the evolving cultural representations of rural spaces in Europe, examining how audiovisual media shape perceptions of rurality from the post-WWII era to today. Embedded within the Horizon Europe-funded Ruralitic project, the research will analyse how films, documentaries, and television programmes construct and disseminate narratives about rural life, contrasting long-standing stereotypes with contemporary shifts driven by tourism, globalisation, and socio-economic change. The successful candidate will conduct a diachronic and comparative study, leveraging archives, digital resources, and interdisciplinary methodologies to uncover the social and cultural dynamics behind these representations. The project is supervised by Edouard Lynch and Gilles Laferté, with affiliation to the Laboratoire d’Études Rurales and the doctoral school ED 483.
What you'll do
- Conduct a diachronic and comparative analysis of audiovisual representations of rural spaces in Europe from the 20th century to the present.
- Develop and curate a corpus of films, documentaries, and television programmes for historical and contemporary periods, leveraging archives and digital resources.
- Analyse the social and cultural construction of rurality through moving images, focusing on themes like tourism, agricultural decline, and globalisation.
- Collaborate with the Ruralitic project team, particularly Work Package 2, to integrate findings into broader multidisciplinary research.
- Present research findings at academic conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
- Participate in frequent national and international travel for research and collaboration.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree or equivalent in Contemporary History or a related field (e.g., Cultural Studies, Media Studies, Sociology).
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; excellent proficiency (written and spoken) required for research and communication.
Instruction: French and English
- Proven expertise in analysing audiovisual sources (films, documentaries, television programmes).
- Strong research skills in contemporary European history, with a focus on cultural and social transformations.
- Familiarity with interdisciplinary methodologies, including comparative and diachronic analysis.
- Proficiency in French and English (excellent command of English required for research and communication).
- Ability to work with digital archives and online resources.
- Must register for the first time in the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Not currently enrolled in a doctoral programme at any French or foreign higher education institution (excluding cotutelle agreements).
- Must meet the eligibility criteria set by the doctoral school ED 483 (e.g., academic background, research proposal alignment).
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-15 (Europe/Paris)
Applicants must submit a resume, a cover letter (max. 2 pages) explaining their background and proposed methodology, and their research proposal. Applications must be sent via email to Edouard.lynch@univ-lyon2.fr before midnight on 15 November 2026.
- CV
- Cover letter (max. 2 pages)
- Research proposal outlining background, analytical framework, and methodology
Contact
Edouard Lynch· Scientific Manager
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