Postgraduate research opportunities Information & self-care

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Key facts

  • Opens: Monday 19 October 2026
  • Number of places: 1
  • Duration: 3 years

Overview

Information is usually seen as a good thing. However, we may wish to avoid, reject, or refuse to interact with information to protect our sense of wellbeing. This PhD topic will explore information avoidance as a means of self-care.
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Eligibility

An upper second-class UK Honours degree or overseas equivalent in information science, or relevant social science is required.

If English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of at least 6.5 with no component below 5.5.

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner
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Project Details

This PhD topic will explore information avoidance as a means of self-care. Many studies have explored information seeking and information use to improve the human condition; information avoidance as a way of improving our lives has been less studied. We may avoid information because it is harmful, because we have too much information, or information threatens our sense of control over our lives. Seen as a matter of self-care, this project will explore information avoidance as a positive information practice.

Please look at this article for background information: Information avoidance: A critical conceptual review.

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Funding details

We are committed to supporting applicants in their search for funding and can provide assistance with identifying and applying for external funding opportunities. Applicants are also encouraged to discuss their funding plans with their prospective supervisor to explore potential avenues for support.

 

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.

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Supervisors

Professor Ian Ruthven

Computer and Information Sciences

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Number of places: 1

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Computer and Information Sciences

Programme: Computer and Information Sciences

PhD
full-time
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027