PhD position Youth Inclusion in Decision-Making for Climate-Responsive Cities

This PhD project investigates how Generative AI can be ethically and effectively integrated into participatory urban design processes with an intersectional approach towards the youth. The project introduces and empirically develops an innovative approach termed “Vibe-Designing,” a co-design methodology in which AI tools function as mediators that support interactive, visually rich dialogue between young marginalized participants, planners, and policymakers.

What are you going to do?

Your work will culminate in a PhD thesis comprising four first-authored journal articles meeting international publication standards, integrated with an introduction and discussion/conclusion chapter.

You will:

• Conduct a systematic literature review on AI in participatory planning and design
• Carry out qualitative and ethnographic fieldwork within urban planning and public participation settings
• Engage with policymakers, practitioners, AI developers, and community stakeholders
• Analyze cultural, institutional, and ethical dimensions of AI-mediated participation
• Design and facilitate co-design workshops where youth engage directly with GenAI tools
• Disseminate findings through academic publications, conference presentations, and policy-oriented outputs
• Be expected to contribute to teaching for about 15% of your time.

The project adopts a multi-method approach including interviews, participant observation, focus groups, and visual-based methods.

The participation of youth and marginalized groups in urban decision-making remains limited, despite growing recognition of its importance for inclusive and climate-responsive cities. At the same time, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly entering urban planning and design practices, offering new possibilities for visualisation, co-creation, and interactive engagement. Yet the cultural, professional, and institutional implications of using GenAI in participatory design with young people from vulnerable communities remain underexplored.

The research will examine:

•  How GenAI reshapes participatory practices and power relations in urban planning and design
• How cultural, institutional, and governance contexts influence the adoption of AI-mediated co-design
• How youth perceive, use, and critically engage with AI tools in shaping climate-responsive urban futures

The project combines theoretical inquiry with empirical fieldwork and practice-based experimentation.

We are looking for a highly motivated and intellectually curious candidate with:

• A Research Master’s or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in urban planning, urban design, human geography, urban studies, anthropology, science and technology studies, or a related field
• Demonstrated proficiency in qualitative research methodology/methods (e.g., ethnography, interviews, focus groups, visual-based methods)
• Demonstrated intrinsic motivation for the research topic
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal communication skills and cultural sensitivity
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team

Experience or affinity with one or more of the following is considered an advantage:

• Participatory or co-design processes involving youth and/or other underrepresented groups
• Digital tools, visual methods, or other ICT-mediated public engagement formats
• Critical AI Ethics or Technology & Society debates

Programming or advanced technical AI development skills are not required, but openness to working with Generative AI tools in a research context is essential.

• 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.

The Faculty of Spatial Sciences (FRW) is an interdisciplinary faculty that makes a significant impact on societal issues such as climate, broad prosperity, population decline, healthy ageing, and sustainable energy. With approximately 100 staff and over 100 PhD students, we engage daily in up-to-date and relevant teaching and research in the fields of planning, demography, and geography. Through our research programme TRACE (Transformations, Communities, and Environments), we are committed to internationally oriented, interdisciplinary research. With two Bachelor's and seven Master's programmes, the Faculty offers broad educational opportunities to about 1,100 students from around the world. The Faculty of Spatial Sciences plays a crucial role in understanding and shaping the living environment of the future. We work for and with society. Our motto is: we are making places better together. If you would like to learn more, visit rug.nl/frw. 

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Özlemnur Ataol (Assistant Professor): o.ataol@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Özlemnur Ataol (Assistant Professor): o.ataol@rug.nl