Deadline: September 7, 2023
Applications are open for the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice VIP Lab Fellowship 2023. The Violence, Inequality and Power Lab (VIP Lab) is a space for cutting-edge research and idea generation on how to shift the power inequalities that reinforce cycles of violence. Inequality is correlated with nearly all forms of violence, yet there remains a dearth of focused analysis or reflection on the ways in which unequal power relationships shape responses to violence.
In 2023, they launched the VIP Lab Fellows Program with funding from the U.S. Department of Education with the goal of helping fill this analytic and conversational void. The goal of the fellowship is to support rigorous research and advance thought leadership on how power inequalities impact violence, both in driving violence dynamics and influencing responses to it. The cohort will be made up of eight fellows with two residential to be based in San Diego, CA, and six non-residential to be based anywhere in the world.
Fellowship Objectives
- Complete a research product (formats could include journal article, a policy brief, think piece, white paper, literature review);
- Contribute to a final report to be drafted by the VIP Lab;
- Expand and reinforce their existing network;
- Learn from one another through monthly Zoom meetings as well as two in-person convenings in San Diego;
- Have opportunities to share their research with a wider audience of practitioners, policy makers and academics;
- Receive intellectual feedback through thought partnership from VIP Lab and Kroc IPJ;
- Agree to have their research shared publicly through a variety of means (written, in person, video, etc) and to engage in dialogue with counterparts on their work;
- Engage with Kroc School students and faculty as feasible through guest lecturing classes, individual meetings and other gatherings while on campus.
- Contribute to expanding the field of study and practice of inequality and violence.
Fellowship Details
Non-residential Fellows
- Six fellows will be selected.
- Can be based anywhere in the world.
- Must be willing and able to travel to San Diego in May and October 2024 for midpoint and final gatherings.
- Fellows will receive a stipend of USD $15,000, which will cover their time spent in the fellowship as well as any costs for conducting fellowship-related research.
- The Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice will cover all travel-related costs for two trips to the University of San Diego.
Residential Fellows
- Two fellows will be selected.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
- Must live in San Diego for the duration of the fellowship.
- Expected to dedicate up to 37.5 hours a week to their work.
- Expected to engage with the Kroc School, such as guest speaking in graduate school classes.
- Residential Fellows will be hired as temporary staff. As taxable employees, residential fellows will receive all typical USD benefits.
- Applicants with a past criminal conviction (violent felony or otherwise) will be reviewed on an individual basis prior to a final decision.
- Compensation package between USD $70,000 – $90,000.
Eligibility
- Individuals who have proven research experience either independently or as a team, include both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Applicants must have a proven track record of strong communication, whether through public speaking, written material, video or otherwise.
- Must be fluent in both written and spoken English.
- No minimum degree requirement but demonstrated educational or professional attainment is required to make clear that the candidate will be able to undertake research independently and with quality.
Application
Although the VIP Lab is interested in exploring a range of different forms of inequality and violence, this first cohort of Fellows will be asked to narrow their purview of focus to one or multiple of the following types of violence:
- Violence Against Women
- Community Violence
- Political Violence
In their applications, candidates should specify which type of violence will be the focus of their research. Note, it is entirely acceptable to focus on two types of violence. For example, how Violence Against Women in the home may reinforce cycles of trauma that play out as community violence. Please be sure to clarify this in your proposal.
For more information, visit VIP Lab.
