From Gaza to Belfast: Digital Visual Storytelling

Summary

This research project investigates how digital visual narratives of the Palestinian conflict travel through mainstream and social media, with a specific focus on Northern Ireland.

In Northern Ireland, symbolic alignments are highly visible: Palestinian flags frequently fly in Catholic-Nationalist-Republican communities, while Israeli flags appear in Protestant-Unionist-Loyalist areas. Following the events of October 7th 2023, with outbreak of violence that escalated rapidly, the phrase “watching a genocide in real time” emerged as a powerful framing of global digital culture.

In Northern Ireland, where collective memory and historical trauma demand immense care, the profound responsibility of shaping public understanding and inter-community relations rests not only with media outlets, organisations and creators, but with the specific content being shared, and circulated across local networks.

To address these challenges, applicants for this project may ask the following questions:

• How do digital visual narratives of the Palestinian conflict travel to Northern Ireland?
• Which specific stories are circulated by local society?
• How do local political and cultural factions in Northern Ireland recontextualise Palestinian visual imagery to reinforce their own narratives?
• What visual tropes, formats, and platforms define Palestinian "digital resistance" and alternative storytelling?
• In what ways do these alternative digital narratives challenge or disrupt dominant mainstream media frameworks?
• How can alternative visual storytelling frameworks be deployed to foster peace across both contexts?

Applicants should possess a robust academic background that includes Media and/or Conflict Studies, paired with grounding in digital visual culture, social media activism, and/or visual methodologies.

We welcome applicants who are familiar with methodologies for analysing media of various forms and those that may have experience of community engagement and/or practical experience in photography, documentary filmmaking and video-editing. Given the nature of the research area, spoken and/or written Arabic language skills are very welcome, though not essential.

Please note that the 'short sample of academic written work' required  to apply for this project can include a visual  element (such as a photograph, illustration or cartoon) alongside the written piece and adopt a more creative format, like a photo essay.

Postgraduate Research Applications & AI

The information provided, during the application process, should be complete and accurate, and should not contain false or misleading information.

If information is copied from elsewhere or someone else has written the application, this could be considered fraud. This includes the use of GenAI tools such as ChatGPT.

Applications may be rejected if there is a belief that information is false or misleading, including being generated by AI tools. Therefore, the use of GenAI in any part of the application process is strongly discouraged. If it has been used, it should be clearly acknowledged, including details of how it was used.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience or knowledge of research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications
• Relevant professional qualification

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD Scholarships are available for this project and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme i.e. September 2027.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.