Characterising Cognitive Biases Elicited by Disinformation Using Reinforcement Learning

• Supervisors: Dr Rani Moran
• Studentship Funding:
• Name: SBBS Studentship
• Funder: School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences (SBBS) at QMUL
• Application Deadline: 23:59pm on 7th October 2024
• Expected Start Date: Jan 2025

Download this document for further details, eligibility criteria and how to apply. [PDF 100KB]

Project Overview

Applications are open for a 3-year funded PhD Studentship in the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences (SBBS) at Queen Mary University of London.

Disinformation is a major threat to society, leading to issues like public health risks, political extremism, violence, and the spread of conspiracy theories (e.g., [1-5]). To address these dangers, we need to understand why disinformation is so appealing and find ways to reduce its harmful effects. However, we still lack a deep understanding of how disinformation affects individual learning processes.

This project aims to explore how disinformation influences learning, focusing on which aspects align with rational principles and which are distorted by cognitive biases [6]. We believe that disinformation spreads by exploiting these biases.

As a PhD candidate, you will primarily use behavioural studies (especially online data collection) and computational modelling to investigate these questions. This project will deepen our understanding of how disinformation affects cognitive processes and explore potential interventions to counteract these effects.

This is a unique opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary research on a critical social issue. You will develop varied skills for example: research design, computational modelling, sophisticated statistical analysis, academic writing, teamwork, programming, and data collection.

Research Environment

Dr Moran’s lab studies the cognitive mechanisms supporting decision-making, memory and learning with a focus on how these flexibly adapt to varying tasks demands. Research in the lab uses computational modelling of cognitive processes (particularly reinforcement-learning) and online and lab-based behavioural studies to understand how our learning and decisions are affected by disinformation, how we balance exploration and exploitation and how we use sophisticated mental models to improve our choices.

Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website. 

Entry Requirements & Criteria

We are looking for outstanding candidates to have or expecting to receive a first class honours degree in an area relevant to the project such as in an area relevant to the project such as Psychology, Cognitive Sciences and Neuroscience, Biology, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Sciences or Engineering. 

A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential. Candidates must also have some experience conducting research. 

Knowledge and prior experience with computer coding, computational modelling, statistical testing and academic writing are essential.

Knowledge and prior experience with behavioural (particularly online) data collection would be highly advantageous but are not required. 

Find out more about our entry requirements here.

Funding

The studentship is funded by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). It will cover home tuition fees, and provide an annual tax-free maintenance allowance for 3 years at the UKRI rate (£21,237 in 2024/25). 

Please find out more about funding and eligibility via: Moran_QMUL Studentship Details [PDF 100KB] 

Any further queries can be sent to [email protected] 

How to Apply 

Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by the stated deadline for consideration. 

Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.

Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Rani Moran at [email protected]

Admissions-related queries can be sent to [email protected].

Further details can be downloaded here: Moran_QMUL Studentship Details [PDF 100KB]

Apply Online