PhD in Digital Media: Ethics, HCI, and Sociotechnical Research at Georgia Tech Georgia Institute of Technology in United States

The Georgia Institute of Technology is seeking new PhD students for its Digital Media program, with a focus on research areas at the intersection of technology, ethics, and society. The program, supervised by Assistant Professor Richmond Wong, is particularly interested in applicants who wish to explore topics such as the work required by practitioners to address social values and ethics in technology design, technology non-use and refusal, cultural imaginaries of urban transit, and the histories of tech workers.

Research in the Creating Ethics Infrastructures Lab investigates how computing technologies can promote social values like privacy, fairness, dignity, and security. The lab's projects are interdisciplinary, drawing from design, science and technology studies (STS), critically oriented human-computer interaction (HCI), and other social sciences and humanities. Current research areas include: (1) studying the work required to address ethical issues within organizational contexts, (2) creating alternate ethics infrastructures and governance mechanisms, and (3) examining technology non-use and alternative use practices. The lab employs interpretivist qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, ethnographic observation, and discourse analysis, as well as qualitative design-based research approaches.

Applicants should have experience or interest in critically-oriented HCI research, STS, or related disciplines, and must be committed to qualitative research methods and a collaborative, supportive research environment. A strong emphasis is placed on human-based thinking, reading, and writing, with limited to no use of generative AI tools. The program values interdisciplinary perspectives and encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with foundational readings in infrastructure studies, interpretive research, speculative design, and values in computing.

The application deadline for the Digital Media PhD program is December 8, 2025. Prospective students are encouraged to review the program and lab websites for more information about research areas, expectations, and the application process. While funding details are not specified in the announcement, applicants should consult the program website or contact the supervisor for information about financial support, stipends, or tuition coverage.

For more information, visit the Digital Media program admissions page and the Creating Ethics Infrastructures Lab guide. Interested candidates should prepare their application materials and submit them by the deadline. This opportunity is ideal for students passionate about the ethical, social, and cultural dimensions of technology and digital media.