28 February 2014

APPLICATIONS: Joint PhD studentships in African Studies, University of Edinburgh | Aarhus University

Applications are invited for a four-year PhD studentship leading to the award of a joint PhD degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and Aarhus University,Denmark.
Background
The University of Edinburgh and Aarhus University have embarked on the collaborative project ExEDE (Excellence in European Doctoral Training).  As part of the project, the two universities invite applications to a total of 6 joint PhD scholarships in the fields of African Studies, Neuroscience and Arctic Studies where the two universities have mutual strengths and can offer excellent research environments. The doctoral candidates are required to spend at least a year at each university, have a supervisor at each institution and will receive a single joint degree signed by both universities. Furthermore, the candidate will take part in ExEDE through e.g. developing new standards for doctoral training and conference participation.
Within this programme, applications are now invited for 2 African Studies related PhD studentships, one to be hosted by the University of Edinburgh and the other hosted by Aarhus University.
Project hosted by the Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh (for the Aarhus-hosted project consult the website of Aarhus University)

New beginnings, land rights and justice in sub-Sahara Africa
The project will be supervised by Gerhard Anders (University of Edinburgh) and Lotte Meinert (Aarhus University). The student will be based at the University of Edinburgh but spend significant time (at least one year) at Aarhus University.
A crucial aspect of new beginnings in regions affected by armed conflict and crimes against humanity is the return to normal life which revolves in many parts of Africa to a considerable degree around subsistence farming. The issue of return to and access to land is intimately connected with wider debates about political authority, rights, social order and participation in local and national politics. These debates about justice and how to come to terms with the violent past are also addressed by courts and other transitional justice mechanisms as well as humanitarian and developmental organisations.
The project will investigate these debates about justice and new beginnings after violence in the context of humanitarian and developmental interventions in regions affected by violence and displacement.
Candidate Qualities and offered scholarship Successful candidates will have a Master’s degree in social-cultural anthropology, political science, human security, development studies or law with knowledge of qualitative methods. The successful candidate is expected to conduct empirical fieldwork in one or several African countries. Case studies could be conducted, for instance, in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda and Mozambique.
The scholarship is planned for maximal 4 years (1 year master by research + 3 years PhD) with an annual sum of GBP 20’000 p.a. (total of GBP 80’000) covering registration fee (GBP 3’900 p.a.) and living expenses, start in September 2014. The first year will allow the candidate to take specialized courses in methodology, for instance. Due to the nature of the funding, applicants should be citizens of an EU/EFTA country.
How to Apply
Applicants have to submit cover letter and CV together with a research proposal of max. 5 pages including bibliographic references and specifying the country or countries where they plan to conduct research.
Application materials should be sent to seona.macintosh@ed.ac.uk Advice on the application procedure may be obtained by emailing Seona Macintosh, seona.macintosh@ed.ac.uk Specific advice on the research project may be obtained by emailing Dr. Gerhard Anders, gerhard.anders@ed.ac.uk
Deadline
28 March, 5 pm. GMT

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