PhD fellowship in propaganda and disinformation
The Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication (CSSC) is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship focused on propaganda, disinformation, and strategic communication in international affairs. The fellowship offers an opportunity to conduct historically informed research within CSSC and an international network of scholars. Applications open December 1, 2026.
CSSC, located at the Department of Marketing and Strategy at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), offers the fellowship in connection with the Ax Johnson Institute for Statecraft and Diplomacy (AJI). In addition to being part of SSE, the PhD fellow will join the international consortium as a predoctoral fellow.
The PhD student will work closely with CSSC's affiliates and have opportunities to participate in the Center's activities and the broader intellectual community of SSE. The successful candidate will also collaborate with faculty, affiliates, students, and fellows from the other institutes in the AJI consortium, forming part of a multi-institutional, multinational intellectual community that spans the Atlantic.
CSSC's research profile
CSSC's research profile combines history, statecraft, and strategic communication. Our concern with history means that we are interested in past events, but also that we seek to situate current events historically. We aim to apply historical lessons to contemporary phenomena and understand them as parts of long-term processes.
Our focus on statecraft means that we are interested in international affairs and how political leaders navigate the security challenges facing their countries. With strategic communication, we refer to the use of information or disinformation by states and other political actors to achieve strategic objectives.
Our research is firmly grounded in the classic humanities and the history of international affairs. We support writing in a plain style and seek to disseminate research findings to the general public.
PhD project
The PhD project has the title Propaganda and Disinformation.
Applications on topics such as propaganda, information warfare, disinformation, influence operations, and public diplomacy are welcome.
We are especially interested in research that seeks to understand information and communication in relation to national security and key foreign policy issues.
Also of interest are historically oriented projects, either historical case studies or studies that relate contemporary phenomena to long-term developments and historical precedents (applied history).
The ideal project is a historically oriented study of strategic communication about issues of key importance to national security.
We are looking for a candidate with an interest in international affairs and mass communication and a readiness to work with both quantitative and qualitative research methods. These can include experiments, surveys, interviews, content analysis, and archival research.
Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with a passion for knowledge and a strong commitment to pursuing doctoral studies. In addition to being qualified and motivated, candidates should be able to work independently and with others. Knowledge of Swedish is an advantage.
Applicants must have a university-level degree and one year of Master's-level studies or the equivalent, and meet the Stockholm School of Economics' requirements for doctoral students in Business Administration.
A general requirement is that applicants have 90 ECTS credits in business administration. Candidates with a similar academic record (such as a Master's degree in political science, history, sociology, economics, or media and communication studies) who can demonstrate the necessary ability to complete the program will be considered.
Terms
The fully funded doctoral position/scholarship cover four years (240 ECTS) and the work is mainly located at CSSC’s premises at Stockholm School of Economics.
The admitted PhD student receive a scholarship from CSSC, and is guaranteed funding throughout the PhD program, conditional upon satisfactory performance as determined by the supervisors. The current tax-exempt scholarship amount is SEK 26,000 per month. In addition, CSSC will provide a yearly insurance amounting to SEK 65,000 that shall cover potential sick- or parental leave.
Application
Applicants shall register through SSE’s web-based application system for PhD candidates in Business Administration. The application period is open from 1 December 2026 until 15 January 2027. Please mention CSSC in your statement of purpose. Suitable candidates will be interviewed during the spring. Questions can be directed to Center Director Rikard Westerberg (rikard.westerberg@hhs.se).
SSE is committed to a balanced gender distribution and values a variety of backgrounds and experiences among our employees. We, therefore, welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, age, or religion, or other beliefs.
