The public debate on if and how violent computer games are harmful to children is a recurrent one. The stances of gamers, the game industry, scientists and game regulators are divergent. All are knowledgeable about the potential harm of violent games. But how do they come to know? How are different ways of knowing what media harm is formed in everyday practice? How are different ways of knowing media harm intertwined? The aim of the project “Knowing Media Harm: Production and Circulation” is to describe and characterise how media harm is known in different areas of German society. Its points of departure are practice theoretical approaches to knowledge production (e.g. Latour, Knorr), the circulation of knowledge (e.g.Hacking) and ethnomethodological methods (e.g. Garfinkle, Lynch, Suchman). How, when and where knowledge is produced within and across four areas of society: science, children’s media practices, game regulation and game industry will be investigated. Through empirical research the project aims to contribute to a better understanding of the circulation of knowledge in complex societies.
Research in the areas of ‘science’ and ‘game regulation’ has already begun (2010). We now look for a Ph.D. candidate who will do research in the area of either ‘children’s media practices’ or ‘game industry’. The research unfolds in an interdisciplinary context of close empirical and theoretical collaboration and regular exchange.
Qualifications
An M.A. in social sciences, cultural psychology, science and technology studies, media studies, anthropology or related disciplines is required. Experience and interest in qualitative methods, preferably ethnography, is necessary. Applicants must be good writers and possess empirical as well as theoretical curiosity. She or he must have the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Candidates are invited to send an application for a three year stipend to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please include a CV, a short research proposal, a text (e.g.publication or thesis) and the complete contact information of two references. Deadline: 01. May 2011.
For further information:
1. on the research project: http://www.rub.de/mrg/knowledge/units/psychology, or via email to Estrid Sørensen
2. on the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Film): http://tv.rub.de/archivseiten/archiv_001.htm,
3. on life in Bochum: http://www.bochum.de/
Research in the areas of ‘science’ and ‘game regulation’ has already begun (2010). We now look for a Ph.D. candidate who will do research in the area of either ‘children’s media practices’ or ‘game industry’. The research unfolds in an interdisciplinary context of close empirical and theoretical collaboration and regular exchange.
Qualifications
An M.A. in social sciences, cultural psychology, science and technology studies, media studies, anthropology or related disciplines is required. Experience and interest in qualitative methods, preferably ethnography, is necessary. Applicants must be good writers and possess empirical as well as theoretical curiosity. She or he must have the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Candidates are invited to send an application for a three year stipend to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please include a CV, a short research proposal, a text (e.g.publication or thesis) and the complete contact information of two references. Deadline: 01. May 2011.
For further information:
1. on the research project: http://www.rub.de/mrg/knowledge/units/psychology, or via email to Estrid Sørensen
2. on the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Film): http://tv.rub.de/archivseiten/archiv_001.htm,
3. on life in Bochum: http://www.bochum.de/
