PhD Studentship: Making Aid Work for Displaced Women: Integrating Islamic Philanthropy and The International Humanitarian System to Improve Outcomes for Women

The University of Birmingham invites applicants for a PhD studentship attached to the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project “Making Aid Work for Displaced Women: Integrating Islamic Philanthropy and the International Humanitarian System to Improve Outcomes for Women.” This interdisciplinary initiative aims to explore how Islamic philanthropy can be leveraged to improve humanitarian work.

Studentship Details:

• Duration: The studentship lasts up to 3.5 years and will be conducted in collaboration with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – IFRC and ICRC, focusing on humanitarian policy and practice in displacement situations.
• Supervision: A doctoral researcher will benefit from the guidance of an inter-disciplinary team of supervisors and advisors from the University of Birmingham, including from our Edgbaston and Dubai campus, and advice from IFRC and ICRC focal points.
• Training and Development: The PhD student will have access to an exciting training program designed to support their research and ample professional development opportunities, including training available for UoB-based ESRC PhD researchers:
  • In-depth methodological and theoretical training relevant to the project.
  • Understanding a range of social science methods to inform research design and engagement.
  • Skills essential for postgraduate study and future careers, such as project management, ethics, and impact assessment.

Team: The doctoral researcher will join the ‘Making Aid Work for Displaced Women’ team and will have access to experts across the University of Birmingham and partner institutions.

The application process involves two steps:

1) Apply for a PhD at the University of Birmingham via the International Development Department webpage (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/subjects/politics-development-and-international-relations-courses/international-development#:~:text=You%20can%20apply%20directly%20through,staff%20research%20interests%20before%20applying). Within the application, submit a research proposal related to the initiative “Making Aid Work for Displaced Women: Integrating Islamic Philanthropy and the International Humanitarian System to Improve Outcomes for Women” (more information about the project here).

We welcome interdisciplinary proposals that bridge areas such as gender studies, forced migration, humanitarianism, religious studies, international relations, foreign and aid policies and more. You may draw on a range of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, history, political science, international studies, international development, religion and philosophy, social policy, business and psychology. A specific focus on various humanitarian actors, including the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC and ICRC), is welcome as well.

2) Submit the project application form at https://forms.office.com/e/pRJMEHN9NA. You will need to complete step 1 before undertaking step 2 (an application number from the IDD PhD registration is required in the scholarship form).

Potential candidates are encouraged to contact their prospective supervisor (Dr Sandra Pertek, s.m.pertek.1@bham.ac.uk) with questions about the project and your PhD proposal ideas.

For project and research information, please contact Dr Sandra Pertek, s.m.pertek.1@bham.ac.uk.

Funding 

The studentship includes a stipend at the UKRI rate (for 2024/25, this is £19,237, paid in monthly instalments) along with tuition fees at Home student rates. It also includes dedicated project funds for PhD fieldwork and for attending some academic conferences.

We invite applications from individuals who have obtained or are expected to obtain at least a 2.1 degree classification from a UK university (or equivalent for non-UK institutions) in a related field. We encourage diverse applicants. This opportunity is only open to applicants eligible for Home fee rates.

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