About The Position
This interdisciplinary PhD project between IT and the social sciences will explore the development of computational approaches for detecting and analysing misogynistic backlash ecosystems across social media and online platforms. The project will use natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), and network analysis to identify coordinated harassment, anti-gender equality mobilisation, extremist misogyny and violence-supportive discourse, and examine how these narratives emerge, spread, and intensify across digital environments. The successful applicant may examine such questions as: How can AI systems reliably identify implicit and evolving forms of misogynistic discourse beyond explicit hate speech? What computational measures can be developed to detect misogyny, benevolent sexism, violence-supportive attitudes and coordinated harassment at scale? How can benchmark datasets be constructed to support robust and explainable AI models for online safety research? How do misogynistic narratives and communities spread across platforms and respond to social and political events? The project is particularly suited to computational methodologies, including natural language processing, large language models, machine learning, network analysis, social media analytics, and large-scale analysis of online discourse and communities. This PhD scholarship will be based within the Faculties of Information Technology and Arts at Monash University, the largest university in Australia which regularly ranks in the top 50 universities worldwide, and housed within the Monash AI Institute (MAI) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW), the world’s first Centre to tackle the full range of forms of violence against women in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. The MAI is a premier hub for AI and data science research in the Asia-Pacific, focused on advancing AI for real-world impact. It brings together experts from computer science, engineering, data science and domain fields, such as healthcare, climate science and social systems to develop innovative AI methods and applications. The institute emphasises responsible, ethical and human-centred AI, while fostering close collaboration with industry, government and international partners. MAI supports cutting-edge research, postgraduate training and translation of AI technologies into practical solutions addressing complex global challenges. The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) focuses on the structural drivers that cause and compound violence against women, pioneering new, evidence-based approaches to inform trajectory-altering practice and policy. CEVAW's interdisciplinary research is data-driven, Indigenous and survivor centred and co-designed with partners. Headquartered at Monash University, CEVAW brings together world-leading experts across the legal, security, economic, health and political systems of Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, including 14 chief investigators at seven Australian institutions, 15 partner investigators worldwide, 33 partner organisations and over 100 HDR students and postdoctoral fellows. With almost $50M investment from the ARC and contributing organisations, CEVAW is poised to make a significant, global impact. This project will be supported by a multidisciplinary team, including Professor Reza Haffari, Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor Jacqui True, Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor Asher Flynn, Dr Trang Vu and Dr Katie Buchhorn.
Requirements
- Candidates with backgrounds in computer science, information technology, statistics, mathematics, computational linguistics, data science or related fields are encouraged to apply.
- A strong interest in interdisciplinary research and a commitment to addressing complex social harms and insecurity are essential.
- Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.
- Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in natural language processing, machine learning, large language models, network analysis, social network analysis, computational social science, social media analytics or large-scale text analysis will be considered favourably.
- Australian (or equivalent international) Honours or Master’s degree (both in a relevant field), with a significant research component and with first-class honours/H1 awarded.
Benefits
- Research Living Allowance, at current value of $37,145AUD per annum 2026 full-time rate (tax-free stipend, indexed)
- Additional CEVAW Top-up scholarship of $10,000AUD per annum (non-indexed)
- Allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
