Dr. Maud Oostindie

Biography

Maud Oostindie is a PhD candidate in the Philosophy Department at Maastricht University, within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Her research project focuses on the empirical understanding of online communication and conflict, particularly examining cultural scripts involved in conflict escalation and de-escalation. Through digital ethnographic fieldwork, she analyzes how communities manage conflict and the strategies of de-escalation utilized by users, including non-human agents such as artificial intelligence. Maud's PhD research is part of an interdisciplinary project funded by the Volkswagen Stiftung, titled 'Deliberation Laboratory', which aims to develop an artificial intelligence virtual moderator that employs culturally and linguistically situated methods to enhance deliberative communication in online settings. She is supervised by Professor John Parkinson and Doctor Anna Harris, and is an active member of the Maastricht University STS research group MUSTS. Prior to starting her PhD, Maud worked for several years as a teacher in the Philosophy Department, contributing to various educational programs within her faculty. She holds a Master’s degree in Globalisation and Development Studies from Maastricht University and a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Utrecht University.

Research Interests

Experience