Fully Funded PhD Opportunity: Responsible AI for Safer Online Spaces for Women

Fully Funded PhD Opportunity: Responsible AI for Safer Online Spaces for Women

The Centre for Protecting Women Online is now accepting applications for a fully funded PhD programme set to begin in October 2025. This programme focuses on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and online safety for women, particularly around responsible innovation and the ethical development of AI technologies.

Programme Overview

AI has a powerful influence on online environments, yet its use often raises ethical concerns, especially in relation to gendered risks and safety. This PhD programme will explore the design, implementation, and consequences of AI technologies, with a particular focus on how they impact women’s online experiences. The research will cover topics such as:

Investigating AI systems like content moderation algorithms and recommendation engines.
Assessing the ways in which these technologies might perpetuate gender biases or overlook gender-based online harms.
Advocating for the development of responsible, inclusive AI technologies to improve women's safety in digital spaces.

Key Research Areas

The programme invites research proposals that address a range of critical themes, including (but not limited to):

AI’s Gendered Impact: Investigating how AI technologies can either worsen or reduce online harassment and violence.
AI and Gender-Based Violence: Evaluating AI’s role in detecting and addressing harmful behaviours online.
AI in Violence Prevention: Examining how AI can be used to prevent the creation and spread of harmful content.
Intersectional Analysis: Looking into the unique risks faced by women and girls from diverse backgrounds.
Co-Creation Methodologies: Collaborating with key stakeholders to design safer AI solutions.
Responsible AI Design: Developing explainable AI systems that can detect online harm effectively.
Guidelines for Ethical AI: Formulating policy recommendations for the responsible deployment of AI in online safety.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

A Master’s degree in AI, data science, human-computer interaction (HCI), software engineering, or related fields.
A strong interest in gender studies and ethical AI development.
Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods is preferred.
Familiarity with feminist or intersectional research methods is an asset.

Funding and Support

This PhD opportunity offers a full-time, fully funded studentship, which includes:

Tuition fees coverage and a stipend of approximately £19,237 per year for 36 months.
Research training support grants for fieldwork, conferences, and other research-related expenses.
Access to a dynamic and supportive research community at The Open University and the Centre for Protecting Women Online.

About the Centre for Protecting Women Online

Funded by £7.7 million from Research England, the Centre is committed to:

Reducing online harms that affect women and girls.
Shaping law, policy, and technology to promote digital safety.
Advocating for justice and accountability in online spaces.
Bridging interdisciplinary research across AI, law, and social sciences.

PhD candidates will be based at The Open University within the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), under the Human Behaviour Stream of the Centre.

Application Process

Application Deadline: Friday, 28 March 2025, 09:00 (GMT)
Required Documents:
- A Research Proposal (1,000–2,000 words) outlining your research approach, methodology, and subject knowledge.
- A Covering Letter explaining your suitability for the project.
- Completed Application Form.
- Degree Certificates and Transcripts.
- IELTS Certificate (if applicable), with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no component lower than 6.0.
Submission: Email all required documents to protecting-women-online@open.ac.uk by the deadline.

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which will include a 10-minute presentation of their proposal, followed by a 45-minute Q&A session. Interviews will take place either in person or via videoconference.

This is a remarkable opportunity to engage in ground-breaking research that aims to make the digital world safer for women by focusing on the responsible use of AI. If you’re passionate about both AI and gender equity, this could be the perfect chance to shape the future of online spaces.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply