PhD Fellowships in Statecraft and Strategic Communication Announced for 2026 Intake
24 november, 2025
CSSC and the Ax:son Johnson Institute for Statecraft and Diplomacy Open Applications for Two Fully Funded PhD Positions
The Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication (CSSC) at the Stockholm School of Economics, together with the Ax:son Johnson Institute for Statecraft and Diplomacy (AJI), is pleased to announce two fully funded PhD fellowships for students wishing to pursue historically informed research on strategic communication in statecraft. The fellowships are hosted at the Department for Marketing and Strategy and the House of Government and Public Policy.
These fellowships offer the opportunity to join a vibrant intellectual community spanning SSE’s Department for Marketing and Strategy, the House of Government and Public Policy, and the international AJI consortium.
At CSSC, our research sits at the intersection of:
History - focusing on long-term processes and historically situating contemporary events
Statecraft - examining international affairs, political leadership, and security challenges
Strategic Communication - including diplomacy, rhetoric, propaganda, disinformation, intelligence, and strategic narratives
Projects situated at the intersection of these areas are especially welcome, though proposals connected to one or two themes will also be considered. Proposals linking economic history to statecraft are likewise encouraged.
PhD Project Areas
Two positions are available:
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Propaganda and Disinformation
This project investigates international influence operations and their effects on society. It examines attempts by foreign states to shape public opinion and information environments, as well as how audiences, governments, and businesses respond. Candidates should have an interest in international affairs and mass communication and be prepared to work with both quantitative and qualitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, experiments, and content analysis. -
Open Topic within CSSC’s Research Themes
The second position is open to projects related to one or more of CSSC’s core research strands.
Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate strong motivation, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Candidates must meet the Stockholm School of Economics’ doctoral admission requirements, including:
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A university degree and at least one year of Master’s-level studies
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90 ECTS in business administration (or equivalent preparation through degrees in political science, history, sociology, economics, or related fields)
More details on eligibility can be found here:
Application Process
The application period runs from 1 December 2025 to 15 January 2026. Applicants must apply through SSE’s web-based system for PhD candidates in Business Administration and should mention CSSC in their statement of purpose.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews during the spring.
For inquiries, please contact: Rikard Westerberg, Center Director, rikard.westerberg@hhs.se
Commitment to Diversity
SSE is committed to promoting a balanced gender distribution and values diversity in backgrounds and experiences. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome, regardless of gender, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, or belief.