Deadline: November 13, 2020
Applications are invited for the Africa No Filter Research Fellowship Program 2020 for Emerging Scholars. The program is looking for scholars to explore African narratives across a range of storytelling mediums across Africa, with comparative studies looking at Africa in France, UK, China, India, and United Arab Emirates.
The ANF Emerging Scholars Fellowship program aims to address the shortage of research about Africa by African scholars by investigating and unpacking narratives about Africa. Narratives about Africa are characterized by persistently negative stories and stereotypes that focus more on challenges and less on progress. As a result, how Africans’ view themselves and how they are viewed by others is informed by stereotypical and outdated views.
There is a need to make narrative evidence-based and relevant to the African conversations around investment in Africa, youth unemployment, migration, development, and other big issues African countries are dealing with. Although some research has looked at African narratives in mainstream media in the UK and US, there is very little available from within the continent, and in other regions of the world.
Fellowship
- Each scholar will be awarded up to $7,000 to conduct their research.
Apart from the funds you will receive, they are offering the following mentorship programme:
- An initiation workshop, which will include comprehensive feedback from leading academics on your proposal, including advice on literature reviews and methodology.
- Guided monthly meetings with other Fellows to share and peer review your work with one of the Advisory Committee members.
- As applicable, shared resources for literature review.
- A writing workshop with leading academics
- Comprehensive feedback from leading academics on your draft report and on the preparation of a journal article following the publication of the report.
- Growing your academic and media profile, through various dissemination activities.
Eligibility
- Priority will be given to African scholars from African countries or from the diaspora who are currently undertaking a PhD or a Post-doc, or those who have been in junior academic posts for less than 3 years;
- Applicants should be based at a recognized academic institute;
- Preference will be given scholars who have experience in line with the research program and/or content analysis skills. Examples include scholars in media/ communication/ journalism studies, filmmaking, photography, literature, visual arts, music, and scholars of development communication.
Research Dessimination
Research Fellows will be required to disseminate in a number of ways, with the support of Africa No Filter, and will include:
- Research report, including an executive summary.
- Highlights version of the report for a compilation book on the subject.
- Submission of paper to academic journal/s (you will continue to notify Africa No Filter of the publication progress at each stage, even after the fellowship has ended, as publication may take 1-2 years).
- Articles, OpEds, blog posts and social media posts.
- Media interviews.
- Digital/in person events (e.g. webinars, conferences, seminars, roundtables) to target various stakeholder groups e.g. Academics, African Institutions, mainstream and alternative media, influencers and artists.
Application
Applicants must provide the following documents:
- The proposal.
- A cover letter outlining your interest in the project and highlighting your key strengths.
- A 2-3 page CV with two contactable academic references, outlining your academic qualifications and relevant research experience, as well as any applicable professional background.
- A list of publications and other outputs.
- Proof of registration/employment at a recognised academic institution.
- Proof of African nationality (e.g. certified copy of birth certificate/passport/identity document).
For more information, visit Africa No Filter.
