PhD in Understanding Health Hacks: Participatory Research on Social Media Health Advice
Explore how young adults engage with and interpret misleading health advice on social media through participatory research.
Best for:Best for researchers with a strong background in participatory methods, qualitative research, and interdisciplinary social sciences, particularly those passionate about health communication and digital media.
Overview
This PhD position focuses on investigating why health-related 'hacks' shared on social media can be so persuasive, even when misleading or harmful. As part of the 'Hooked by the Health Hack' project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the research examines the interplay between individual traits, online context, and cognitive processes that influence the acceptance of these health claims. The project targets young adults aged 18–25, a critical demographic shaping health beliefs and behaviors. Using participatory methods, the PhD candidate will collaborate with social media users and content creators to analyze daily media practices, develop user-centered interventions, and integrate findings with quantitative research streams. The goal is to empower young adults to critically evaluate online health information while preserving their autonomy in decision-making.
What you'll do
- Conduct a multimodal content analysis of harmful online health 'hacks',
- Design and facilitate participatory workshops with young social media users and content creators,
- Apply participatory mapping techniques to map daily media practices and feedback processes influencing susceptibility to health hacks,
- Collaborate on developing and iteratively evaluating user-centered intervention strategies,
- Integrate findings from participatory research with quantitative research streams from Traject B,
- Publish research results, present at conferences, and contribute to knowledge exchange with industry partners
Requirements
Degree required: Master of Research or Master in Communication Science, Media Psychology, Sociology, Health Sciences, or a related discipline within social sciences or humanities
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; Dutch proficiency (C1 level) for communication within the Dutch academic environment
Instruction: English
- Proven experience or affinity with participatory and qualitative research methods (e.g., participatory research, focus groups, concept mapping, co-creation, co-design)
- Strong interest in health communication, media literacy, disinformation, and psychological mechanisms of persuasion
- Excellent organizational and facilitation skills for designing and leading participatory workshops with young social media users
- Advanced academic writing and communication skills in both English and Dutch (C1 level)
- Collaborative mindset and willingness to work closely with industry partners and another PhD trajectory with a different methodological focus
- No specific nationality restrictions
- Open to applicants from any country
- No age restrictions mentioned
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-26
Applicants should submit their application through the Erasmus University Rotterdam’s online application portal. The application should include a detailed CV, a motivation letter, a research proposal, and copies of academic transcripts. Three reference letters should also be provided.
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Research proposal
- BSc and MSc transcripts
- Three reference letters
Contact
Not specified· HR or PhD coordinator
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