A PhD candidate researching the consequences of mHealth on well-being

Over the past years, the use of everyday healthy lifestyle apps (e.g, Apple Health, Samsung Health, Health Connect, Garmin Connect) has increased dramatically. What are the consequences of algorithmic decision systems in these mHealth applications for their users? This project focuses on user perceptions of the (potential) impact of automated decision systems in their daily health app on public values (e.g., privacy, autonomy/self-governance, integrity, solidarity) and the effects on user well-being. There will be special attention for social equality and inclusion. The project will draw on a multimethod citizen science approach, including for example co-creation, panel survey, and mobile tracking.

This project is part of the Gravitation programme Public Values in the Algorithmic Society (algosoc ). The Gravitation program is an initiative by the Dutch government to support excellent research in the Netherlands. The funding is reserved for scientific consortia that have the potential to rank among the world's best in their field. algosoc is a response to the urgent need for an informed societal perspective on automated decision making. Funded by the ministry for Education, Culture and Science for a period for 10 years, research in the algosoc programme will be grounded in a deep understanding of the systemic changes that automated decision making entails for core public institutions, for society, and for how public values are realised. The research will focus on three sectors: justice, health, and media. The programme brings together researchers in law, communication science, computer science, philosophy, public governance, STS, economy, and social sciences from five Dutch universities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Tilburg, Delft and Rotterdam). Together, the algosoc community will develop solutions for the design of governance frameworks needed to complement technology-driven initiatives in the algorithmic society.

The current position is part of the algosoc health sector and is located in Rotterdam. As a PhD candidate, you will get the unique opportunity to help shape the research programme with your research plan. Closely collaborating with your fellow PhDs and mentored by top scholars from various disciplines, you are encouraged and supported to conduct your PhD project.

What you are going to do:

• Develop, conduct, and publish research on the effects of algorithmic decision making in mHealth;
• Contribute to the public debate and organise outreach activities of algosoc;
• Contribute to the overall programme in terms of community building, events, research meetings, and activities;
• Collaborate with other researchers within the algosoc consortium;
• Give guest-lectures in the area of your expertise at BA or MA level;
• Help co-supervising research projects of students working on related topics