Examining ‘Dark Political Communication’

Overview

Students will be directly affiliated with the Australian Research Council Discovery Project “Understanding and Combatting ‘Dark Political Communication’” (DP240103362). The project, led by QUT researchers, and including a team based at Deakin University in Melbourne, aims to better understand the rapidly-evolving, and increasingly sophisticated, tactics deployed by political actors to manipulate public attention and opinion.

For this project, students will focus on coding and analysing data from industry interviews, and using that data to generate case studies for a forthcoming symposium and, later,  industry report. Students will be credited in any publications arising from this work.

Research engagement

Data analysis and coding, forensic media research

Research activities

Students will primarily work with project lead A/Prof. Stephen Harrington, in conjunction/collaboration with other members of the DP team.

Research skills

Students will get an applied understanding of media research, with an applied industry outcome/relevance.

Outcomes

We expect the coded data to be used in forthcoming journal/book publications, and the case studies to be used for discussion at an industry symposium (to be held ~April 2027), and in an industry report emerging from that event.

Skills and experience

Students should have a general degree of familiarity with the media system (e.g. key outlets, platforms), and with the global political landscape.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

Kelvin Grove campus (students may opt to do much of their work remotely)

Additional information

Students will be required to  attend regular meetings with the project supervisors

Keywords

• Media
• Journalism
• Politics
• Qualitative research

Contact

A/Prof. Stephen Harrington

07 3138 8177

s.harrington@qut.edu.au