The NWO project “Virtual Reality as Empathy Machine: Media, Migration and the Humanitarian Predicament” (2023 – 2028) makes an intervention into the field of VR for humanitarian communication by evaluating the potentialities and pitfalls of immersion and empathy through technological innovation.

This project critically investigates the role of VR for humanitarian appeals by asking how and to what extent humanitarian VR can function as an empathy machine, bridging the distance between viewers and mediated others. It researches the impact of VR for humanitarian appeals, in particular concerning issues around migration and refugees.

We will regularly update this website with upcoming events and our latest outputs. If you would like to know more about the project or get in touch with us, please reach out to us through out contact page.

Postdoc: VR and Immersive Technologies –
Postcolonial and Creative Approaches

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In this postdoctoral position, you are part of the NWO project “VR As Empathy Machine. Media, Migration and Humanitarian Predicament”. You focus on postcolonial, feminist, media theories, and design practices with a specific interest in the past and future of immersive technologies. In particular, you engage with the relation between viewers and mediated others through embodied technologies.

Your job

Virtual Reality (VR) is a booming industry and is considered to be a game changer. So far, it has mostly been used to give a sense of extraordinary experiences and seen as an ‘empathy machine’ to engage audiences emotionally. This project, “VR As Empathy Machine. Media, Migration and Humanitarian Predicament”, makes an innovative and urgent intervention into the field of VR for humanitarian communication by addressing the potentials and pitfalls of these implications. The project is led by Professor Sandra Ponzanesi, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

As a postdoc, you critically investigate the role of VR as an immersive technology and its relation to emotions and embodiment and knowledge production. You do so by researching the impact of VR for humanitarian appeals, in particular concerning issues around migration and refugees, conflict studies and other planetary crises. You also carry out fieldwork among VR makers, industry stakeholders and VR spaces (labs, festivals and tech events). The project draws from different disciplinary fields such as (digital) media studies, postcolonial theory, science and technology studies, psychology, gender studies, anthropology, development studies, conflict studies, game and film studies and humanitarian communication.

The position entails both independent and collaborative work. Your independent work takes place within the framework of the “VR as Empathy Machine” project and you will closely collaborate with both the PI and two PhD candidates and co-supervisor who are already working on this project. You will work on the following research objectives:

1. You develop a theoretical and critical analysis of humanitarian VR from a postcolonial perspective. 
2. You map the field and carry out fieldwork among VR makers, industry stakeholders and VR spaces (labs, festivals and tech events).
3. You will have space to develop your own critical approach while you will also benefit from a team in which we will collectively share common knowledge and practices and engage with the relevant issues and problems.

Your tasks and responsibilities include:

• taking a leading role in knowledge dissemination of the project, building a network of affiliates and experts;
• co-curating the website, with blogs and updates of relevant activities;
• publishing two articles in peer-reviewed journals, or chapters;
• co-editing one special journal issue in collaboration with the PI;
• co-editing a Handbook on Postcolonial VR;
• co-developing a VR prototype (project design and demo) as a VR testing ground for alternative collaborative models;
• co-organising masterclasses, expert meetings and public events, such as the project’s final conference;
• presenting your research outcomes at national and international workshops and conferences.

Your qualities

The project requires an understanding of patterns of migration and global social justice, and, among others, an understanding of the role of transnational organisations for humanitarian purposes. You are a dedicated interdisciplinary researcher and have a strong interest in immersive technologies and their societal impact. Your approach is informed by postcolonial/decolonial theories and debates and you are capable of thinking in an original and creative way about the potentials and pitfalls of VR for these contexts. You enjoy close collaboration with domain experts and societal stakeholders. You have a creative mind and look forward to working at the cutting edge of media, migration and technology. Finally, you are a team player and a pleasant colleague who enjoys being part of a team of interdisciplinary researchers and creative thinkers. Besides that, you have multiple of the following qualifications:

• You hold a PhD degree in a relevant field: i.e. (digital) media studies, postcolonial theory, science and technology studies, game studies, visual culture, cultural analysis, psychology, gender studies, anthropology, development studies, conflict studies, game and film studies or humanitarian communication.
• You are eager to develop your own take on immersive technologies in relation to migration, technology, humanitarian issues, and global justice.
• You have a proven track record of academic publications.
• You have excellent command of spoken and written English.
• You have a team spirit and experience working in an interdisciplinary, international setting.
• You are willing to travel abroad for research stays, conferences, and workshops.
• You have strong interpersonal, analytical, and organisational skills.
• You are willing to move to Utrecht or a nearby location in the Netherlands for the period of your employment.

Our offer

• A position for 24 months starting from September 2025; 
• a working week of 26-28 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,378 and €5,331 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.