Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, Norway's largest independent comprehensive university college, invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in Communication and Leadership, focusing on leadership, voice, and communication in equestrian sport. The position is based at the School of Communication, Leadership and Marketing, which is renowned for its practice-oriented programs and active research groups. The PhD project, titled "Speaking for the Horse: Participant Voice and Equestrian Wellbeing (EQUIP)," is funded by the Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research and involves collaboration with the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The research will explore the relationship between voice behavior, organizational processes, and equine welfare in Scandinavian equestrian sports from 2026 to 2029. The goal is to generate new knowledge on fostering a culture of openness in equestrian sports to improve animal welfare and examine the sport’s social license to operate. The successful candidate will design an independent project related to how leaders in Scandinavian equestrian sports address issues of animal welfare, stakeholder communication, democratic governance, and ethical leadership responsibility. Applicants should have a professional interest in organizational development, leadership practice, communication skills, and sport management. The PhD candidate will conduct original research, engage in critical literature review and synthesis, develop theoretical frameworks, collect and analyze data, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present at academic conferences. The candidate will also contribute to the Workplace, Inclusion and Diversity (WID) research group. The position offers a high salary (NOK 550,800 per year), equipment, NOK 50,000 per year for conference travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, and strong labor laws including paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days. Eligibility requires a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant social scientific discipline (leadership/management, communication, organization theory) with a grade B or better, a master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS, and a relevant 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree. Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Personal qualities such as curiosity, motivation for independent interdisciplinary research, communication and cooperation skills, and systematic work habits are valued. All educational credentials will be verified, and background checks are conducted. Applicants must submit a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts (in Scandinavian or English), CV, at least two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, written in English) outlining their intended PhD research. Admission to the PhD programme is required within three months of the start date. The earliest start date is 01.09.2026, and the application deadline is 02.03.2026. Only applications received through the university's application portal will be considered. For more information, visit Kristiania University of Applied Sciences and PhD in Communication and Leadership . Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, especially women and persons with minority backgrounds. The school is located in Oslo, offering numerous amenities and urban experiences. For further details, contact Professors Nigel Halpern ([email protected]) and Hans Erik Næss ([email protected]).

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences in Oslo, Norway, invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in Communication and Leadership, focusing on the future of work with insights from remote, hybrid, and nonstandard work arrangements. The position is hosted by the School of Communication, Leadership and Marketing, which is renowned for its practice-oriented programs and active research groups. The successful candidate will join a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing knowledge in communication, leadership, and organisational effectiveness. The PhD project aims to investigate the multilevel antecedents and mechanisms linking leadership and communication to organisational outcomes in the evolving landscape of work. Key research themes include the challenges and opportunities presented by automation, artificial intelligence, flexible work models, and the expansion of platform-based and gig employment. The project will employ a multilevel methodological design, capturing factors at cultural, societal, organisational, team, and individual levels. Outcomes of interest include social belonging, organisational identification, inclusion, loyalty, engagement, job insecurity, isolation, workplace loneliness, and alienation. As a PhD candidate, you will design and conduct original research, engage in critical literature review and synthesis, develop theoretical frameworks, and collect and analyse data using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. You will apply multilevel statistical programs such as SPSS, R, Mplus, and HLM, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present at academic conferences. Collaborative research activities within the Positive Organisational Behaviour and Wellbeing at Work (POWELL) group and the Department of Leadership and Organisation are integral to the role. Eligibility requirements include a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant subject area with a grade B or better on both the thesis and overall degree, and a thesis of at least 30 ECTS. A relevant 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree is also required. Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate curiosity, motivation for independent interdisciplinary research, strong communication and cooperation skills, and the ability to work independently and systematically. Personal suitability is highly valued. Funding and benefits comprise a competitive annual salary of NOK 550,800, NOK 50,000 per year for travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, high-end equipment, and strong labour laws including paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days. Application process: Submit your application via the official portal, including a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts (in Scandinavian or English), CV, at least two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, max. 2,000 words, in English). Admission to the PhD programme is required within three months of the start date. The application deadline is 2 March 2026. Only applications received through the portal will be considered. For further details, see the regulations for research fellowships and visit the university’s website. Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, with a particular welcome to women and persons with minority backgrounds. The working location is Oslo, offering access to urban amenities and recreational spaces. For questions about the PhD project, contact Associate Professor Mehmet Cetin ( [email protected] ), and for programme queries, contact Professor Nigel Halpern ( [email protected] ). For more information, visit Kristiania University of Applied Sciences and the PhD in Communication and Leadership programme page.

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences invites applications for a fully funded PhD Fellowship in Communication and Leadership, focusing on lobbying and health policy in cancer and pharmaceuticals. The position is based at the School of Health Sciences in Oslo, Norway, and is part of a vibrant academic environment with a strong commitment to applied, problem-driven research and societal impact. The successful candidate will join a team of researchers dedicated to advancing knowledge in communication, leadership, and health policy. The PhD project will investigate how advocacy organisations and pharmaceutical industry actors use communication and lobbying to influence cancer policymaking in Norway, the USA, and Japan. The research will explore leadership roles in agenda-setting, coalition-building, and strategic advocacy, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of how health policy decisions are shaped across different political systems. The project employs a comparative, mixed-methods approach, including document analysis, stakeholder interviews, and surveys, to examine differences in political systems, regulatory processes, and communication practices. Key challenges include accessing lobbying documentation, navigating political sensitivities, and ensuring cross-country comparability. The candidate will map lobbying and communication strategies, analyse leadership roles and ethical practices, compare lobbying influences across health systems, and assess stakeholder perceptions of legitimacy, trust, and transparency. Dissemination of findings in high-impact journals and presentations at leading conferences is expected. Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant subject area with a grade B or better on both the thesis and overall degree, and the thesis must be at least 30 ECTS. A relevant 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree is also required. Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong motivation for independent, interdisciplinary research, excellent communication and cooperation skills, and the ability to work systematically and independently. Admission to the PhD programme is required for appointment. Funding and Benefits: The fellowship is fully funded, offering a competitive annual salary of NOK 550,800, NOK 50,000 per year for travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, and equipment such as a high-end laptop and mobile phone. Employees benefit from strong Norwegian labour laws, including fully paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days. Application Process: Applications must be submitted via the official application portal and include a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts, CV, at least two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, in English). Admission to the PhD programme is required within three months of the start date. The application deadline is 2 March 2026. Only applications received through the portal will be considered. For further information about the project, contact Professor Adnan Kisa ([email protected]). For questions about the PhD programme, contact Professor Nigel Halpern ([email protected]). For more details about Kristiania University of Applied Sciences and the PhD programme, visit www.kristiania.no and PhD in Communication and Leadership . Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, especially women and persons with minority backgrounds. The working location is Oslo, offering access to urban amenities and recreational spaces.

PhD Fellowship in Communication and Leadership: Communicating Environmental Futures in the Age of AI Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, Norway’s largest independent comprehensive university college, invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in Communication and Leadership. The position is based at the School of Arts, Design and Media in Oslo, a vibrant hub for creative and art-related disciplines, and is part of the MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity, a national research centre funded by the Research Council of Norway (2025–2030). The successful candidate will join a cross-disciplinary team exploring how artificial intelligence and artistic communication can inform and transform the ways environmental futures are imagined, mediated, and acted upon. The project will investigate the role of creative and technological systems—such as generative media, algorithmic storytelling, and data-driven visualisation—in shaping collective understanding, institutional responsibility, and leadership in the context of ecological change. Key research questions include how AI-based systems can foster transparent, participatory, and emotionally resonant forms of environmental communication, while addressing ethical and epistemic concerns such as trust, inclusion, and respect for human and non-human agency. The PhD candidate will have opportunities to: Analyse the influence of AI-based systems on environmental communication, perception, and public trust Design or assess creative and organisational approaches to AI-supported environmental storytelling Develop frameworks for responsible, inclusive, and transparent communication in AI-mediated contexts Reflect on the ethical and societal implications of automated media in shaping collective ecological imagination Disseminate findings through interdisciplinary conferences and journals, collaborating with research and communication partners The MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity brings together over 200 faculty members from higher education institutions across Norway, collaborating with public and private partners to explore AI’s impact on creative processes and its ethical, cultural, legal, and societal implications. The appointed candidate is expected to participate in MishMash’s work packages and activities, and to collaborate across the network. Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant subject area with a grade B or better, and a relevant 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree. Required skills include strong analytical and conceptual abilities related to communication, leadership, and AI in cultural or societal contexts; familiarity with digital or AI-based tools in communication, design, or media production; and demonstrated competence in creative, artistic, or communicative practice. Proficiency in English and motivation for interdisciplinary collaboration are essential. Admission to the PhD programme is required for appointment. Funding and Benefits: The fellowship is fully funded, offering a competitive salary (NOK 550,800 per year), NOK 50,000 per year for travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, equipment, and strong labour protections including paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days. Application Process: Applications must be submitted via the Kristiania University of Applied Sciences application portal. Required documents include a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts, CV, at least two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, max. 2,000 words). The application deadline is 2 February 2026. For further information, contact Professor Synne Tollerud Bull ([email protected]) or Professor Nigel Halpern ([email protected]). Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, with a special welcome to women and persons with minority backgrounds. The working location is Oslo, offering access to numerous amenities and a dynamic urban environment.

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, Norway’s largest independent comprehensive university college, invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in Communication and Leadership, focusing on Visual Communication in Times of Crisis. The position is based at the School of Arts, Design and Media in Oslo, a vibrant academic environment with over 1,700 students and 130 full-time academic staff, offering a unique blend of creative, artistic, and technological disciplines. The university is committed to applied, problem-driven research that contributes to social and economic development in close cooperation with society and industry. The PhD project should explore the role of visual communication during crises—how emergencies and dramatic events are experienced and communicated visually across diverse media. In today’s fragmented and rapidly evolving media landscape, visual information and misinformation play a critical role in shaping public perception and managing crises. Governments, organizations, and businesses use visual communication to manage reputations, contain or prevent crises, while protest leaders leverage visuals to influence public opinion. The project aims to bridge gaps between crisis communication, design studies, and visual culture studies, and welcomes proposals that address any aspect of visual communication in crisis contexts, including the leadership of design processes or the use of visual communication in leadership roles. Candidates may draw on theories from crisis communication, leadership, visual culture, design studies, and related fields, and are free to choose their own angle, crisis type, and context. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant subject area with a grade B or better on both the thesis and overall degree, and the thesis must be at least 30 ECTS. A relevant 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree is also required. Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. The university seeks candidates with curiosity, motivation for independent interdisciplinary research, strong communication and cooperation skills, and a goal-oriented mindset. Admission to the PhD programme is required within three months of the start date. The fellowship offers a highly competitive salary (NOK 550,800 per year), NOK 50,000 per year for travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, and equipment such as a high-end laptop and mobile phone. Employees benefit from strong labor protections, including fully paid parental and sick leave, and 25 paid vacation days. The PhD period is three years, with the earliest start date on 1 September 2026. The university encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, especially women and persons with minority backgrounds. To apply, submit your application via the Kristiania University of Applied Sciences portal, including a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts (in Scandinavian or English), CV, at least two references, your master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, max. 2,000 words, in English). Only applications received through the portal will be considered. For further information, contact Professor Nigel Halpern ([email protected]) or Associate Professor Trond Klevgaard ([email protected]). Application deadline: 2 February 2026.

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, Norway's largest independent comprehensive university college, is offering a fully funded PhD fellowship in Communication and Leadership, focusing on lobbying and health policy in cancer and pharmaceuticals. The position is based at the School of Health Sciences in Oslo, which provides research-based education across health sciences, psychology, pedagogy, and law. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of researchers dedicated to advancing research and pedagogy in communication and leadership. This PhD project investigates how cancer societies and pharmaceutical companies use communication and lobbying to shape health policy in Norway, the USA, and Japan. The research will analyze leadership roles in agenda-setting, coalition-building, and strategic advocacy, aiming to deepen understanding of health policy decision-making. Employing a comparative, mixed-methods approach—including document analysis, stakeholder interviews, and surveys—the project will explore differences in political systems, regulatory processes, and communication practices. Key challenges include accessing lobbying documentation, navigating political sensitivities, and ensuring cross-country comparability. The PhD candidate will map lobbying and communication strategies, analyze leadership and ethical practices in cancer policy advocacy, compare lobbying influences across health systems, and assess stakeholder perceptions of legitimacy, trust, and transparency. Results will be disseminated in high-impact journals and presented at leading conferences in communication, leadership, and health policy. Applicants must have a master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant field with a grade B or better, a master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS, and a relevant bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS). Proficiency in written and spoken English is required. Candidates should demonstrate curiosity, motivation for independent interdisciplinary research, strong communication and cooperation skills, and a goal-oriented approach. Admission to the PhD programme is mandatory for appointment. The fellowship offers a competitive salary (NOK 550,800 per year), NOK 50,000 annually for travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, equipment, and strong labour protections including paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days. The position is for three years, with the earliest start date of 01.09.2026. Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, especially women and persons with minority backgrounds. To apply, submit your application via the university’s portal, including a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts, CV, at least two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, max. 2,000 words, in English). Only applications received through the portal will be considered. For further details, see the regulations for research fellowships and visit the university’s website. For questions about the project, contact Professor Adnan Kisa ([email protected]); for programme queries, contact Professor Nigel Halpern ([email protected]).