DAAD-funded PhD research scholarship on: Oil dependency and bioeconomic transformation in Nigeria
The Right Livelihood College (RLC) at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany, offers a DAAD-funded PhD research scholarship on: Oil dependency and bioeconomic transformation in Nigeria.
Background
The Right Livelihood College (RLC) is a global transdisciplinary education and research initiative of universities and the “Alternative Nobel Prize”, the Right Livelihood Award (RLA). There are currently RLC Campuses at eight universities worldwide, among others at ZEF, University of Bonn, Germany, and at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. As part of this network, the RLC Campus Bonn and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), in cooperation with the “Alternative Nobel Prize” Laureate Nnimmo Bassey and the STRIVE1 project, offer a 3-year PhD scholarship for candidates from sub-Saharan Africa to carry out a PhD research project related to the potential role of the bioeconomy in reducing the Nigerian economy’s reliance on fossil fuel resources.
Research context
Nigeria’s economy is highly dependent on fossil fuel exports and thus exposed to a volatile global market environment. Bio-based economic transformation is often proposed as a promising strategy to reduce fossil resource dependency and achieve sustainable development goals. However, the nature and outcomes of potential bioeconomic transformation pathways will depend on a complex interplay of factors, such as prices for oil and other Nigerian export products including from agriculture, access to bio-based knowledge and technology, and economic as well as environmental policies. The PhD research project is expected to adopt a regional or macro-perspective to analyze the role of these factors and the economic mechanisms through which they affect sustainability outcomes of alternative development pathways for the Nigerian economy. The research will be based on field and secondary data collection in Nigeria. Applicants are requested to develop their own PhD research proposal to contextualize and concretize the envisaged research project.
The PhD scholarships
Qualified applicants should be citizens and residents of a sub-Saharan African state. They should hold an excellent master’s or equivalent degree in agricultural or natural resource economics, economics or related disciplines, and have experience in the use of computable general equilibrium models, partial equilibrium models, or inputoutput models. Experience in interdisciplinary and international research teams is an asset. Fluency in English is mandatory. The age limit is 32 years.
The scholarship is funded by the DAAD for 3 years starting from August 1, 2017. It covers a Junior Researcher position at ZEF and all respective costs for travel and research. In the first year, the candidate will participate in the international ZEF Doctoral Program in Bonn, followed by time for empirical field research in Nigeria.
Your application should consist of:
- Motivation letter (1 page)
- A CV in EUROPASS format – see template under: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae
- RLC application form – see template under: https://goo.gl/WrRdFH
- Two recommendation letters from professors and/or supervisors
- Certified academic degree documents (PDF)
- Short PhD research proposal narrowing the research scope with background, conceptual framework, research questions, and methodology (max. 5 pages) All documents are to be submitted in English.
Closing date for applications is March 31, 2017. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Please send your applications via e-mail to: stellmacher@rlc-bonn.de
Dr. Till Stellmacher Programme Coordinator, RLC Campus Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn.
Source: ZEF website: http://www.zef.de/1741.html
Call for Workshop Scholarships: “Sustainable agriculture and rural transformation: meeting farmers’ needs in socio-ecological systems” (10-15 June 2017)
PhD students from developing and transition countries who conduct empirical local level research related to sustainable agriculture and smallholder farming within social, economic and natural sciences are invited to apply for scholarships to attend the workshop on “Sustainable agriculture and rural transformation: meeting farmers’ needs in socio-ecological systems” to be held in Bonn between 10-15 June 2017 at Right Livelihood College (RLC).
Details
The RLC Campus at ZEF, University of Bonn, Germany, offers scholarships for PhD students from developing and transition countries to participate in the international workshop on “Sustainable agriculture and rural transfor-mation: meeting farmers’ needs in socio-ecological systems”, June 10-15, 2017, in Bonn.
Background
The Right Livelihood College (RLC) is a global education and research initiative of universities and the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize” (www.rightlivelihood.org). The RLC Campus Bonn is part of the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, and supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It provides transdisciplinary education and research in fields of environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation, and social justice in the Global South (www.rlc-bonn.de).
The Workshop
The workshop will take place from June 10-15, 2017, at ZEF in Bonn. Distinguished scientists, practitioners and PhD students from all over the world will be participating together with Laureates of the “Alternative Nobel Prize”. Workshop language will be English.
Sustainable agriculture has become an ubiquitous notion in development sciences and practice. Beyond aiming to contribute to the conservation of ecosystems, to changing food demands, and to long term economic rentabilities, sustainable agriculture has a high potential as an agent for rural transformation and pro-poor growth in the Global South. However, the prevalent paradigm of rural economic development, often coupled with agricultural industrialization, leads to massive repercussions on the sustainability of agricultural systems and on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Hence questions have to be addressed on the current and future role of sustainable agriculture in the context of rural transformation and its potential for pro-poor growth and the conservation of ecosystems in the Global South.
Upon this backdrop, the workshop will thematically focus on local level empirical research and practical development work in rural areas of developing and transition countries. The workshop inputs will be presented, discussed and analysed in a cohesive transdisciplinary way by building on each participants’ expertise and experience.
The workshop will target the following objectives:
- to strengthen knowledge and understanding of methodological approaches related to sustainable agriculture and rural transformation,
- to critically assess different pathways of sustainable agriculture and its actual and potential contributions with particular focus on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods and conservation of ecosystems in rural developing contexts,
- to showcase projects considered successful and to discuss empirical research findings,
- to promote transmission of expertise and experience as well as networking between “Alternative Nobel Prize” winners, scientists, practitioners, and PhD students working on sustainable agriculture and rural transformation from different aspects.
The workshop scholarships will cover all costs for international and national travel, hotel accommodation, catering, and working materials. The workshop will be embedded in a variety of social and cultural side-events.
Who can apply?
PhD students from developing and transition countries who conduct empirical local level research related to sustainable agriculture and smallholder farming within social, economic and natural sciences. Preferred are PhD students in the middle or end of their studies. Fluent English is mandatory. Applications from women are particularly welcome.
How to apply?
Your application should consist of:
- the filled-out application form. Download the form here: www.rlc-bonn.de
- a 300 word abstract (in English) of your PhD project
The deadline is April 15, 2017. You will be informed about the decision of the selection committee until April 25.
Please send your applications via e-mail to Dr. Till Stellmacher: stellmacher@rlc-bonn.de
Source: ZEF Website: http://www.zef.de/1741.html
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