Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba
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Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba

Studentship opportunity

All Studentship Opportunities

Spatial Open-Source Intelligence (S-OSINT) in the Age of Misinformation and Disinformation: Developing a Best Practice Framework for Law and Engineering

This studentship is funded by the ESRC through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS)

Institution
University of Strathclyde
Pathway
Communication, AI and New Technologies
Studentship
Steers – Interdisciplinary
Mode of study

Full-time / Part-time

Application deadline
4pm, 14 April 2022
Applications are due 24 March 2026, 5 pm GMT and
References are due 26 March 2026, 5 pm GMT

Project details

Access to reliable and verifiable sources, which can document human rights abuses or violations of international humanitarian law, are crucial in legal contexts. Spatial open-source intelligence (S-OSINT), which is information gathered from publicly available data, such as remote sensing observations, geotagged IOT sensors or social network data, has become an increasingly significant resource in human rights and humanitarian lawyering, ranging from investigations and fact-finding missions through to courtroom evidence at trial.

This innovative, interdisciplinary project analyses the value of S-OSINT, specifically satellite remote sensing data, in legal contexts. The project has two aims: (1) it identifies, analyses and evaluates how practices of misinformation and disinformation pose legal and engineering challenges to the use of S-OSINT; (2) it develops a best-practice framework that promotes the development of reliable, verifiable and integrity-driven S-OSINT applications and their uses in legal contexts. To deliver on these aims, the project deploys an interdisciplinary methodology, which conjoins approaches from legal studies, qualitative interviews with S-OSINT users such as legal professionals and engineers, and satellite remote sensing methods. This approach is based on the premise that the research challenge, specifically the authentication of S-OSINT, its
use in human rights and humanitarian fact-finding missions, and its admissibility as legal evidence at trial, requires substantial interaction between lawyers and remote sensing engineers.

The project’s interdisciplinary research focus will be supported by cross-sectoral working via a placement in legal or engineering contexts. This placement will broaden the student’s employability skills, expand their professional networks, and advance the project’s KE and impact strategy via the production of policy briefs and best-practice guidelines for S-OSINT users. Further outputs will include the student’s PhD thesis, a co-authored journal article, and seminar and conference presentations.

Supervisory Team:

About the University

The project speaks directly to the University of Strathclyde’s strategic aims of World-Leading Research and Global Engagement, and it aligns closely with the University’s key themes of Global Challenges, Digital Technologies, and People, Place and Culture.

The project’s focus, approach and ambition offer an excellent fit with Strathclyde Law School’s research strategy, which seeks to foster academic excellence and contribute meaningfully to societal well-being. The student will be supported by the Law School Postgraduate Research Director and, through the enhanced review process which ensures progress monitoring at interim and annual reviews, with senior academics providing tailored advice. The PhD Colloquium and the Law School Research Seminar Series will provide the student with platforms to present and refine their research within a supportive academic community. The student will also avail of the School’s recognised expertise in law and technology by joining the Law & Technology research group, which offers peer support for the development of their research, and by engaging with the University-wide interdisciplinary Strathclyde Socially Progressive AI Forum. The project will connect strongly with the Law School’s concern for the legal dimensions of social justice, and for the role of law in an increasingly complex technological society. The plans for impact and knowledge exchange are also closely aligned with the Law School strategy and its goal to affect tangible change in society by informing jurisprudence and policymaking, shaping practice, and contributing to public discourse.

The student will also be affiliated with Strathclyde Aerospace Centre of Excellence (ACE) within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. A central research theme of ACE is space sustainability, conceptualised through the trilogy of sustainability in space, of space, and from space. This project aligns with the third dimension, leveraging space-based systems to observe and analyse sustainable processes on Earth and the research stream “EO for Social Justice” led by Dr Riccardi. The student will further benefit from integration within the AI4 Space Safety and Sustainability initiative currently being established at ACE. This platform serves as a strategic interface between academia and industry, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation across all facets of space sustainability. Through this environment, the student will gain valuable exposure to interdisciplinary research and active engagement with both scientific and commercial partners.

 

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Applicants must hold or be predicted a First or a good 2:1 undergraduate degree in the social sciences, or have relevant comparable experience.
  • Applicants can have a Masters degree, however this is not a requirement.
  • The applicant must also show demonstrable interest in the topic area under investigation.
  • Applicants can study part-time or full-time

Applicants can study part-time or full-time but remote (overseas) study (full-time or part-time) is not available.

Additional requirements:

  • Knowledge and understanding of public international law are welcome, although not a requirement.
  • Knowledge and understanding of geospatial data analysis are welcome, although not a requirement.

Funding

As per guidance published by UKRI in October 2020, a maximum of 30% of all studentships awarded can be made to international students, with the remaining 70% going to home students. 

Residential Criteria

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

For more on the UKRI eligibility guidance, click here

As per guidance published by UKRI in October 2020, a maximum of 30% of all studentships awarded can be made to international students, of which SGSSS has now awarded for the 2021/22 round of studentship awards. As such, this opportunity is only open to home students.

Residential Criteria

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If you do not meet the criteria above, you will be classed as an international student and will not be eligible to apply. To establish if you would be classed as a home student, please see pages 4 and 5 of the UKRI eligibility guidance here.

Award details

The scholarship is available as a +3.5 (3 year PhD and placement) or a 1+3.5 (Masters year, 3 year PhD, and a placement) studentship depending on prior research training. This will be assessed as part of the recruitment process, however you can access guidance here to help you decide on which to apply for. The programme will commence in October 2026. The full ESRC studentship package includes, as advised by ESRC:

  • An annual maintenance grant (stipend)
  • Fees at the standard institutional home rate
  • Students can also draw on a pooled Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

Other information

Please submit a short research proposal (no more than three A4 pages) with your application, which should include the following:

  • Research question
  • Literature review
  • Key issues
  • Methodology and methods
  • Ethical issues (where applicable)

Please also submit the following:

  • Indicative bibliography
  • 500-word personal statement outlining why you wish to undertake this studentship and what you will bring to the project

International applicants need to meet the University’s English language requirements which is IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall (no individual band less than 5.5) – taken within 2 years prior to start date.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview should prepare a presentation identifying their motivation for applying for this scholarship.

How to apply

  1. Applicants must register on SGSSS Apply, completing their Equal Opportunities data.
  2. Applicants must apply via SGSSS Apply, uploading the following documentation:

    • Application Questions (answered within SGSSS Apply, no upload needed)
    • Academic transcripts
    • Academic prizes
    • Referee information
    • CV
    • Other information (if required by the advert)
We strongly encourage applicants review the applicant guidance document for more on the process. 

Please Note:

  • This is not an application to the relevant University, this is an application for SGSSS (ESRC) funding.
  • Students do not need a Masters/PhD offer from the relevant University before they can apply for funding, i.e. this studentship.
  • If successful in obtaining the SGSSS (ESRC) studentship, students can only start the funded studentship once they have an unconditional Masters/PhD degree offer from the relevant University. It is your responsibility to find out the University’s application process, including when you need to secure your offer, as SGSSS plays no role in this process.

This studentship opportunity will open for applications on 9th June.

Apply now via SGSSS Apply

Selection process

Applications will be ranked by an internal institutional selection panel, and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted for interview on 7 April. Interviews will take place on 13 April.

This studentship award is subject to the successful candidate securing admission to a PhD programme within the University of Strathclyde. The successful candidate will be invited to apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme.

Contact details

Name
Team SGSSS
Email
SGSSS Team (for questions on the application portal, only), for any questions on the project, email the supervisory team (see details in abstract above)

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