Interdisciplinary PhD position Young Academy Groningen 2026: Putting the Gay in Gaming: How Queer Youth Navigate identity Devel

Project 2: Putting the Gay in Gaming: How Queer Youth Navigate Identity Development in Online Gaymer Communities

In developing an understanding of who they are, young people draw on cultural expectations and narratives for who they could (or should be) while engaging with others in their social environments. Increasingly, this process is taking place in online spaces – in which youth engage with (and create) digital content, interact, and play games. Especially for queer youth, whose gender and sexual identities often transgress the norms of their offline contexts, online gaming provides important safe spaces for finding an accepting community and exploring their identities; for example, by taking on different types of (gendered) characters and bodies. However, because gamer culture is itself often tied to heteronormative ideals of masculinity (i.e. the idea that games are ‘for’ straight men), queer players might experience friction and even harm, often leading to the formation of subcommunities of “gaymers,” (or LGBTQIA+ gamers) in which they feel more included and safe. Yet even within these communities, traditional cultural narratives about gender and sexuality may be inadvertently reproduced, excluding transgender and gender-fluid youth. The overarching aim of this project is to build on earlier work (e.g., Turkle, 1995; Shaw, 2012) through an interdisciplinary investigation of how young queer people make meaning of and negotiate identities and cultural expectations within the context of online gaming (through chatting, playing and watching). 

What are you going to do?

The PhD candidate involved in this project will engage in a multi-phase research process at the intersection of discursive developmental psychology and game studies, drawing on different qualitative research approaches: including analyses of interviews, micro-analysis of (online gaming) interactions, participant-observation and/or discourse analysis. The project is located both within the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Because the project brings together theories, perspectives and practices from discursive developmental psychology and media studies, we explicitly invite candidates who are open to the challenge of navigating different disciplines,and shaping their own project within this interdisciplinary context. As a team we value open and clear communication and prioritize well-being and support. 

The ideal candidate is expected to:

• Have a (Research) Master’s degree in the following (or related) fields: psychology, (critical) media studies, gender studies, sociology, anthropology, or socio-linguistics.
• Applications without a finished master’s degree must be accompanied by a strong letter of support from the supervisor stating that the thesis will be completed satisfactorily, and when.
• Have a good academic track record.
• Be enthusiastic about writing international publications and a dissertation.
• A demonstrably excellent written and spoken command of English; knowledge of Dutch is not required.
• Have experience with (or affinity for) qualitative research methods: particularly interviewing, thematic or narrative analysis, micro-analysis or conversation analysis, (critical) discourse analysis or ethnography.
• Have an interest in online gaming, LGBTQIA+ issues, digital media cultures, and youth development.
• Have demonstrable competences in conceptual capacity, presenting, planning and organizing and monitoring.
• Have good organizational skills and the motivation to organize and realize data collection.
• Be committed to working autonomously in an interdisciplinary team setting.

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

University Services (US) is an engaged organization with over 1,250 staff members. Every day, we dedicate ourselves to creating an inspiring and sustainable academic environment in which students and staff can grow, collaborate, and reach their full potential. We support teaching, research, and operations in a progressive and collaborative way. From property maintenance to supporting the Board of the University, we proudly fulfil an important role at the University of Groningen as a facilitating and advisory service. Our services are wide-ranging and reach across the entire University. We work closely with faculties and other service units to support them as effectively as possible. If you would like to learn more about University Services, visit our website. 

The prospective PhD candidate will be embedded in two faculties of the University of Groningen. The PhD student will be connected to the graduate school of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. This faculty excels in teaching and research in the fields of human behaviour, thinking, learning, and how people live together. We address societal issues and problems that people experience in daily life. The focus of our approach is on individual and societal resilience and how to improve this. Important topics are migration, the environment and climate, health, upbringing and education, the protection of vulnerable minorities, and sustainable partnerships. The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences employs over 650 staff members. For more information about the Faculty please check the link https://www.rug.nl/gmw/ . The PhD student will also be (informally) embedded in the University College Groningen. Founded in 2014 as a selective, independent Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty within the University of Groningen, University College Groningen offers a Liberal Arts and Sciences programme and a multidisciplinary working environment.

Supervisors:

Dr. Ole Gmelin, j.h.gmelin@rug.nl (YAG, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Assistant Professor in Theory and History of Psychology)

Dr. Lars de Wildt, lars.de.wildt@rug.nl (YAG, Faculty of Arts, Assistant Professor in Media, Cultural Industries & Society)

Prof. dr. Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff, a.lichtwarck-aschoff@rug.nl (Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Professor of Ortho, Gedrag, Opvoeding en Kinderrechten)

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Ole Gmelin (Assistant Professor): J.H.Gmelin@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Lars de Wildt (Assistant Professor): lars.de.wildt@rug.nl