Fully Funded PhD Positions in Climate Justice, Art Activism, and Digital Media at University of Twente University of Twente in Netherlands

The University of Twente is offering two fully funded PhD positions within the Knowledge, Transformation, and Society (KiTeS) section, focusing on climate justice through artistic research. These positions are part of the NWA-ORC (Dutch Research Council) project "JUST ART: Creating Common Grounds for Climate Justice Through Artistic Research," a six-year initiative spanning the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The project brings together academics, artists, and societal organizations to address climate justice using collaborative, artistic, and creative methods.

The first PhD project, "Just futures: restor(y)ing (un)just land-water relations through art activism," explores the temporal and intergenerational dimensions of climate justice by examining land-water relationships through art activism. The research will engage with environmental art-activism, develop situated narratives, and collaborate with artists and local stakeholders in regions such as Twente and Aruba. The second PhD project, "Just futures: restor(y)ing multispecies futures through digital media," addresses biodiversity justice by employing digital media and speculative/immersive futures. This project involves artistic experimentation with environmental data and aims to create participatory installations in collaboration with cultural organizations.

Both positions are embedded in an interdisciplinary team, including supervisors Prof. Esther Turnhout, Dr. Corelia Baibarac Duignan, and Dr. Steven McGreevy, and offer opportunities for collaboration with a wide network of academic and societal partners. The research environment is vibrant and supportive, with excellent facilities and a strong focus on personal and professional development.

Applicants should have or be about to complete a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Science and Technology Studies, Sustainability Transitions, Political Ecology, Anthropology, Design, Futures Studies, Media Studies). Strong research skills, experience with participatory or art-based methods, and proficiency in English are required. Dutch language skills are desirable but not mandatory. Regular presence at the University of Twente and willingness to conduct fieldwork in the Netherlands and Aruba are expected.

The positions are fully funded for four years, with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including holiday and end-of-year bonuses, pension scheme, and family-friendly policies. The application deadline is 27 March 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Twente careers portal or the JUST ART project website.