PhD position Youth Inclusion in Decision-Making for Climate-Responsive Cities
Apply nowPhD position Youth Inclusion in Decision-Making for Climate-Responsive Cities
This PhD project investigates how Generative AI can be ethically and effectively integrated into participatory urban design processes with an intersectional approach towards the youth. The project introduces and empirically develops an innovative approach termed “Vibe-Designing,” a co-design methodology in which AI tools function as mediators that support interactive, visually rich dialogue between young marginalized participants, planners, and policymakers.
PhD position Youth Inclusion in Decision-Making for Climate-Responsive Cities
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What are you going to do?
Your work will culminate in a PhD thesis comprising four first-authored journal articles meeting international publication standards, integrated with an introduction and discussion/conclusion chapter.
You will:
- Conduct a systematic literature review on AI in participatory planning and design
- Carry out qualitative and ethnographic fieldwork within urban planning and public participation settings
- Engage with policymakers, practitioners, AI developers, and community stakeholders
- Analyze cultural, institutional, and ethical dimensions of AI-mediated participation
- Design and facilitate co-design workshops where youth engage directly with GenAI tools
- Disseminate findings through academic publications, conference presentations, and policy-oriented outputs
- Be expected to contribute to teaching for about 15% of your time.
The project adopts a multi-method approach including interviews, participant observation, focus groups, and visual-based methods.
The participation of youth and marginalized groups in urban decision-making remains limited, despite growing recognition of its importance for inclusive and climate-responsive cities. At the same time, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly entering urban planning and design practices, offering new possibilities for visualisation, co-creation, and interactive engagement. Yet the cultural, professional, and institutional implications of using GenAI in participatory design with young people from vulnerable communities remain underexplored.
The research will examine:
- How GenAI reshapes participatory practices and power relations in urban planning and design
- How cultural, institutional, and governance contexts influence the adoption of AI-mediated co-design
- How youth perceive, use, and critically engage with AI tools in shaping climate-responsive urban futures
The project combines theoretical inquiry with empirical fieldwork and practice-based experimentation.
Who are you?
We are looking for a highly motivated and intellectually curious candidate with:
- A Research Master’s or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in urban planning, urban design, human geography, urban studies, anthropology, science and technology studies, or a related field
- Demonstrated proficiency in qualitative research methodology/methods (e.g., ethnography, interviews, focus groups, visual-based methods)
- Demonstrated intrinsic motivation for the research topic
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal communication skills and cultural sensitivity
- Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
Experience or affinity with one or more of the following is considered an advantage:
- Participatory or co-design processes involving youth and/or other underrepresented groups
- Digital tools, visual methods, or other ICT-mediated public engagement formats
- Critical AI Ethics or Technology & Society debates
Programming or advanced technical AI development skills are not required, but openness to working with Generative AI tools in a research context is essential.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- The full-time appointment is temporary for a period of four years, under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
The Faculty of Spatial Sciences (FRW) is an interdisciplinary faculty that makes a significant impact on societal issues such as climate, broad prosperity, population decline, healthy ageing, and sustainable energy. With approximately 100 staff and over 100 PhD students, we engage daily in up-to-date and relevant teaching and research in the fields of planning, demography, and geography. Through our research programme TRACE (Transformations, Communities, and Environments), we are committed to internationally oriented, interdisciplinary research. With two Bachelor’s and seven Master’s programmes, the Faculty offers broad educational opportunities to about 1,100 students from around the world. The Faculty of Spatial Sciences plays a crucial role in understanding and shaping the living environment of the future. We work for and with society. Our motto is: we are making places better together. If you would like to learn more, visit rug.nl/frw.
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Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
- A motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
- A Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- A written sample (e.g., Master’s thesis chapter or published paper)
- Contact details of two academic referees, included in the CV
Do you have any questions or need more information?
-
Questions about the content of the job?
Özlemnur Ataol
Assistant Professor
o.ataol@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Özlemnur Ataol
Assistant Professor
o.ataol@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Onze selectieprocedure volgt de richtlijnen van de NVP Sollicitatiecode
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