The NWO's Open Competition SSH-XS grants of up to €50,000 are intended for curious and innovative research. A total of 81 applications were approved, including the proposed research by Michal Mochtak, researcher at the Department of Political Science at Nijmegen School of Management.
DIY Deepfakes: From Development to Experimentation in Political Science
Deepfake technology presents a promising yet underutilized tool for political science research. This project examines whether political scientists can generate and utilize high-quality deepfake videos for research purposes. By evaluating both technical feasibility and ethical considerations, the study assesses deepfakes' effectiveness in controlled experiments and their real-world impact through an online survey. If successful, this approach could democratize access to deepfake technology, making it more scalable for research. However, ethical concerns persist, necessitating responsible guidelines. This study aims to establish best practices for integrating deepfakes into political science while upholding methodological rigor and ethical integrity.
The department congratulates Michal on the grant award.