Postgraduate research opportunities The Financial Judgement of AI: New Insights into Political Ideology and Role-Conditioned Bias
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Monday 16 March 2026
- Deadline: Thursday 30 April 2026
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 36 months
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend
Overview
This PhD project examines whether Large Language Models (LLMs) embed systematic political ideologies that influence the financial judgements they generate. It extends a novel auditing framework to measure ideological orientation through financially grounded analytical tasks, establishing baseline ideology scores for different LLMs.Eligibility
Applicants should possess a strong academic track record. Specifically, we welcome applicants who have obtained, or are expected to obtain, a postgraduate degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, or a closely related field. We also welcome applications from candidates with a postgraduate degree in Finance, Financial Technology (FinTech), Economics, or a related discipline, provided they can demonstrate strong quantitative and programming skills.
The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), generative AI, and modern machine learning techniques, alongside an interest in their application to financial decision-making and investment analysis. Experience working with natural language processing (NLP), model evaluation or auditing, and experimental design would be advantageous. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and/or R, and familiarity with relevant AI/ML libraries and Generative AI platforms, would be desirable.
Strathclyde Business School is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive postgraduate research population. We make decisions on entry by assessing the whole person and not relying solely on academic achievements. On that basis, please ensure that your application (via your CV and covering letter) can evidence your resourcefulness, commitment and resilience as demonstrated by broader professional and life experiences. This evidence should be centred on your ability to undertake and complete a PhD and contribute to a positive PhD community.
If English isn't your first language, you'll need an IELTS score of 6.5 (or an equivalent test) with no individual element below 5.5.
You must upload ONLY these documents to your application: #
- Covering letter
- An updated curriculum vitae / résumé
- Contact details of two academic referees, including email addresses
- Academic transcripts, which must be certified copies
- Evidence of English Language qualifications as required (if previously obtained)
Please also indicate the title of the scholarship you are applying for in the Field of Study section of your application.
Project Details
Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly used to support financial analysis and investment advice. These systems are often presented as neutral and objective. However, emerging research suggests that LLMs may embed hidden political ideologies that influence how they analyse information and make recommendations.
This project investigates whether LLMs exhibit systematic political ideologies (such as left-leaning or right-leaning preferences) and whether these orientations affect the financial judgements they provide. Because LLMs are typically designed to avoid revealing political views through direct questioning, the project extends an existing auditing framework to measure political ideology as revealed through financially grounded analytical tasks. A key innovation is the development of a new survey instrument designed to uncover political differences by examining how AI systems approach real-world financial decision problems. This approach establishes a benchmark measure of political ideology across different LLMs.
The project further explores how these ideological tendencies change when LLMs operate under professional personas commonly used in financial services. By prompting models to adopt the role of a financial analyst or financial advisor, the research examines whether persona-specific ideological orientations influence stock forecasts, investment recommendations, and ESG investment advice, including portfolio construction choices and their underlying justifications. This allows for systematic comparison between baseline ideological tendencies and those expressed within professional financial decision-making contexts.
Funding details
Fully-funded scholarship for 3 years covers all university tuition fees (at UK level) and an annual tax-free stipend. International students are also eligible to apply, but they will need to find other funding sources to cover the difference between the home and international tuition fees. Exceptional international candidates may be provided funding for this difference.
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Supervisors
- Primary Supervisor: Professor Mark Cummins
- Additional Supervisors: Dr. Yashar Moshfeghi; Dr. James Bowden
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Number of places: 1
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Accounting and Finance
Programme: Accounting and Finance
Contact us
If you have any queries regarding this application, or would like further information, please email Professor Mark Cummins: mark.cummins@strath.ac.uk