Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice

What does the rise of artificial intelligence mean for social justice? Far more than a technological shift, AI is reshaping political, economic, cultural, and social life. As AI increasingly mediates access to rights, resources, and recognition, it risks deepening inequalities across race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and citizenship. At the same time, AI is transforming how power operates, raising novel questions about governance, accountability, transparency, and democracy itself. The School of Geography at the University of Leeds welcomes prospective PhD students interested in critically examining how AI is reshaping inequalities, governance, and the possibilities for social justice.

<p>Artificial intelligence is transforming the ways governments make decisions about welfare, security, humanitarianism, migration, and everyday life. The significance of AI derives not only from its technical capacities to automate, predict, and generate, but also from its political, economic, cultural, and social effects, shaping how justice, fairness, and human rights are defined, distributed, and contested. As AI increasingly mediates access to housing, employment, healthcare, and legal status, it also reproduces—and in some cases intensifies—social inequalities along lines of race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and citizenship. The growing integration of AI into governance practices, decision-making, and resource allocation raises urgent questions about accountability, transparency, and democratic participation. In response to these transformations, there is a continued need for critical inquiry into what AI means for society. </p> <p>The School of Geography at the University of Leeds invites applications for a <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography-research-degrees">PhD research degree</a> under the supervision of Dr Matthew Abbey, Lecturer in Critical Human Geography (<a href="mailto:m.w.abbey@leeds.ac.uk">m.w.abbey@leeds.ac.uk</a>) and another member of staff. You will become a valued member of the <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography-research-social-justice-cities-citizenship">Social Justice, Cities, Citizenship</a> research cluster. </p> <p>The successful candidate will pursue a highly original research project that examines the relationship between AI and social justice, broadly defined, while paying specific attention to spatial dimensions of power. This may involve analysing how governments adopt AI in decision-making processes, studying the harmful effects of AI being used to govern specific populations, or exploring how different groups resist or contest the harms caused by AI. It might also involve focusing on particular case studies such as policing, borders, or counterterrorism, or even specific technologies like facial recognition technology. Candidates may take any theoretical or empirical approach, adopting or combining methodologies such as fieldwork, case studies, desk research, discourse analysis, or policy analysis. Candidates will be encouraged to develop their own proposal based on any of the above ideas or an idea of their own choosing related to AI and social justice. There are no geographic limitations.</p> <p>While based in the School of Geography, applicants do not necessarily need a background in geography, although this would be an advantage. Students from adjacent fields such as sociology, politics, and cultural studies, or those who have an interest in the spatial dimensions of power, are encouraged to apply. Students with knowledge of anti/de-colonial studies, Black studies, critical race theory, disability studies, gender studies, neurodiversity studies, queer theory, and other critical approaches to power, knowledge, and space are especially encouraged to apply.</p> <p>Applicants are invited to contact <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography/staff/21564/matthew-abbey">Dr Matthew Abbey</a> with a research proposal on the above. Tips on writing a research proposal can be found <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography-research-degrees/doc/writing-research-proposal">here</a>. </p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{79f6656e-e1a3-4ed7-8100-05e34a1b2680}{193}" paraid="1717955186">For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </li> <li paraeid="{79f6656e-e1a3-4ed7-8100-05e34a1b2680}{208}" paraid="1941411394">The admission year for this project is 2026/27 Academic Year.   </li> <li paraeid="{79f6656e-e1a3-4ed7-8100-05e34a1b2680}{215}" paraid="1823221166">You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘PhD Geography Full-time’.   </li> <li paraeid="{79f6656e-e1a3-4ed7-8100-05e34a1b2680}{222}" paraid="754352421">The project start date for this project is October 2026, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. </li> <li paraeid="{79f6656e-e1a3-4ed7-8100-05e34a1b2680}{229}" paraid="202248598">Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice</strong> as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography/staff/21564/matthew-abbey">Dr Matthew Abbey</a> as your proposed supervisor.</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). </p> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>. You will need to provide copies of the following documents: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{79f6656e-e1a3-4ed7-8100-05e34a1b2680}{247}" paraid="1858125611">a research proposal </li> <li paraeid="{b7691fe9-ea3b-4404-b259-1b4dcd8acc81}{7}" paraid="877561217">your CV </li> <li paraeid="{b7691fe9-ea3b-4404-b259-1b4dcd8acc81}{14}" paraid="1448270499">certificates and transcripts of all academic qualifications </li> <li paraeid="{b7691fe9-ea3b-4404-b259-1b4dcd8acc81}{21}" paraid="932080590">English language qualification certificates </li> <li paraeid="{b7691fe9-ea3b-4404-b259-1b4dcd8acc81}{28}" paraid="1315959137">visa and immigration documents, if applicable </li> <li paraeid="{b7691fe9-ea3b-4404-b259-1b4dcd8acc81}{35}" paraid="226045984">funding information – sources of funding that you are applying for (e.g. government scholarship), or if you are able to pay your own fees and maintenance  </li> </ul> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the PGR Admissions team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p paraeid="{686f9f78-fc9e-41d5-9e2a-90c785646aa8}{183}" paraid="557166827"><strong>This is not a funded project, but you can apply for funding separately. Self-funding students are also welcome to apply. </strong></p> <p paraeid="{686f9f78-fc9e-41d5-9e2a-90c785646aa8}{187}" paraid="1936376053">Funding opportunities for Home students – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> are available to UK applicants.  <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p> <p paraeid="{686f9f78-fc9e-41d5-9e2a-90c785646aa8}{196}" paraid="629442306">Funding opportunities for International students –The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> is available to nationals of China. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p>

<p>For further information on the project, please contact Dr Matthew Abbey: <a href="mailto:M.W.Abbey@leeds.ac.uk">M.W.Abbey@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>