PhD Studentship in Taking Social-psychological Stereotyping Research Global: The pernicious consequences of stereotypes of Africa and Africans as poor and helpless.

Africa is often presented as poor, politically unstable, and helpless by the media and developmental aid organizations, presumably to encourage donation behaviour and sympathy. But what impact does portraying Africa as a helpless continent have on its development and prosperity? In collaboration with African NGOs and researchers from Germany, the United States, Africa, and Canada, this project seeks to research what stereotypes Africans and outsiders (e.g., Europeans and Americans) have of the African continent, and what consequences these images have for Africans themselves, for non-Africans to engage with Africa, as well as for Africa’s development as a continent. As such, this research aims to not only understand these stereotypes but also to inform strategies for positive change in perceptions and policies regarding Africa.

The PhD Project:

In the first, currently ongoing, part of this project, we were able to show that UK and US citizens primarily view Africa as a continent of beautiful nature and animals (rather than people), and its societies as low in development and poor. In the next phase of this project, which has the opportunity to be shaped significantly by the PhD applicant, we want to investigate several directions, such as (1) What stereotypes do Africans hold about their own continent, and what are the consequences of being stereotyped as poor and helpless by others? (2) Can remnants of colonialist views of Africa as a continent of nature and animals rather than people explain prejudice against Black people in other parts of the world today? As well as (3) How can stereotypes of Africa be changed most successfully?

Applicants will be asked to develop their own proposal along these lines in collaboration with the supervisor (Adam Hahn), which will then be submitted as an application to the ESRC South-West Doctoral Training Partnership. If successful, the applicant will join a team of international researchers with their own developed questions on stereotypes of Africa and their consequences. The successful applicant will be part of Adam Hahn’s lab at the University of Bath, which is specialized in the social-cognitive underpinnings of stereotyping and prejudice, as well as attitudes more generally. The position will be part of a vibrant group of social psychologists at the University of Bath, including Greg Maio, Lukas Wolf, Mitch Callan and many others, along with many PhD students and postdocs.

Applicant Qualifications:

We seek individuals who are passionate about advancing their expertise in social psychology related to this proposal. You may apply with either an excellent undergraduate degree (first or upper second-class degree if from a UK institution) or a master’s degree in psychology or similar. Additional expected qualifications include excellent quantitative training, as well as demonstrated interest in research on stereotyping and prejudice, attitudes, and quantitative methodology. Applicants with African backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

The ultimate success of the application will be determined by the ESRC South-West Doctoral Training Partnership and will depend on the quality of the project the applicant develops. For informal inquiries please contact Dr. Adam Hahn ah2763@bath.ac.uk).

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