Supervision

I supervise Master’s and PhD theses in digital media, political behaviour, and computational social science. I work best with students who are intellectually curious, methodologically ambitious, and motivated to build research projects that combine strong theory with transparent empirical analysis.

I particularly welcome students interested in the transformation of political communication, digital democracy, and the use of computational and experimental methods in political research.

Topics of Interest

I am especially open to supervising projects on:

  • Designing and testing media literacy interventions to reduce misinformation vulnerability
  • The mechanisms and effects of political microtargeting on social media
  • Using Generative AI and Large Language Models as experimental treatments
  • The restructuring of political conflict and ideological alignment in digital environments
  • Latent variable modeling and measurement strategies to reduce bias

Interdisciplinary projects that combine political science with data science, psychology, or communication studies are particularly encouraged.

How to Apply

Application Process

To apply for supervision, please send the following materials to
andrea.deangelis@unimi.it:

  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Short paragraph (≈150 words) describing your experience with statistics
    (prior attendance of “Multivariate Analysis” is strongly recommended)
  3. Career plan (≈250–300 words) outlining your goals and intrinsic motivation
  4. Research plan (one page) including:
    • Research question and core argument
    • 3–5 key scientific references
    • Data source and sketch of the empirical strategy

What to Expect

My goal is to help you become an independent and critical researcher. I am supportive and available, but also demanding. I will push you to sharpen your theory, strengthen your design, and aim for a level of quality that matches your full potential.

I provide detailed feedback on substance, logic, and empirical analysis. I am not an English-language editor: I will correct language on a sample, but you are expected to apply the same standards to the full manuscript.

Expect to write at least two full drafts:

  1. First draft – written to think: explores ideas, identifies weaknesses, builds structure.
  2. Second draft – written to communicate: structured, precise, audience-oriented.

Policy on Generative AI

Warning

Large Language Models (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) can be useful tools for brainstorming, refining arguments, and improving clarity. However, they must support—not replace—your own analytical thinking.

Important: Generating substantial parts of a thesis without critical engagement constitutes academic misconduct. I actively use LLMs in my own research and can recognize their unreflective output.

Writing & Research Resources

Some resources I regularly recommend to students: