The UNU-WIDER PhD Internship Programme gives registered doctoral students an opportunity to utilize the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their PhD dissertation or thesis research, and to work with UNU-WIDER researchers in areas of mutual interest. PhD interns typically spend 3 consecutive months at UNU-WIDER and return to their home institution afterwards. They prepare one or more research papers and present a seminar on their research findings. PhD interns may also have the opportunity to publish their research in UNU-WIDER’s working paper series. Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme and have shown ability to conduct research on developing economies. Candidates working in other social sciences may apply but should keep in mind that UNU-WIDER is an economics-focused institute. Candidates should be fluent in oral and written English and possess good quantitative and/or qualitative analytical skills. Preference is given to applicants who are living or working in developing countries and who are at later stages of the PhD. For further information see the website.
Jobs and Announcements
This congress is taking place at a time of unprecedented challenges in population nutrition. Global and national food systems are increasingly concentrated and globalised, with small scale food production being rapidly marginalised in countries where such activity previously predominated. In many countries people are mobilising to defend their rights and taking action to recover and preserve indigenous and environmentally sustainable food systems. Several African countries are experiencing a ‘nutrition transition’ but are not yet as advanced along this trajectory as is South Africa, your host country. Together with ‘Big Food’ – large corporations in the food system – South African food companies (manufacturers and retailers) are expanding into Sub-Saharan Africa, influencing many countries’ food environments and nutritional indicators. Hence, South Africa’s experience and policies can inform improved understanding and policy making on the continent and can also provide a platform for all concerned with the impact of the food system on the health of humanity and our planet. The holding of the WPHNA Congress in South Africa has the potential to inform key policy makers and researchers and significantly shape the food and nutrition policy landscape in South Africa, Africa and beyond.
TRUST Equitable Research Partnerships invites the submission of case studies identifying the risks of exporting non-ethical research practices to low and middle income countries. The TRUST project addresses the risks of ethics dumping - that is the export of research practices that would be considered unethical in Europe - for both public and privately funded research. With the globalisation of research activities, there is an increasing risk of research involving sensitive ethical issues being conducted by European organisations outside the European Union, without proper compliance structures and follow-up. To contribute to the research, TRUST are launching this bottom-up call. Five full case studies will be funded from successful applicants to this competition. These cases must refer to research undertaken in low or middle income countries by researchers, sponsors or funders from high income countries; in any field of research (e.g. life sciences, social sciences, agriculture, environment, animals, security, etc.). The deadline for submission of abstracts is March 2nd, 2016 with full submission of selected proposals on May 2nd 2016. The five winners will each receive €2,000. The competition is part of the TRUST project, co-funded by the European Commission under grant number 664771.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines is calling for contributions by interested stakeholders that address the misalignment between the rights of inventors, international human rights law, trade rules and public health where it impedes the innovation of and access to health technologies. In particular the High-Level Panel will consider contributions that promote research, development, innovation and increase access to medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and related health technologies to improve the health and wellbeing of all, as envisaged by Sustainable Development Goal 3, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development more broadly. Submitted contributions should be evidence-informed and include references to the principles, literature and models upon which the contribution is based. The contributions should reflect, align and demonstrate how it will support the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular, Sustainable Development Goal 3, that aims to improve the health and wellbeing for all, and where applicable, indicate the political, financial or other requirements to the implement of the proposed ideas.
The Symposium invites abstracts for individual presentations, linked to the following sub-themes: Enhancing health system resilience: absorbing shocks and sustaining gains in every setting; Equity, rights, gender and ethics: maintaining responsiveness through values-based health systems; Engaging power and politics in promoting health and public value; Implementing improvement and innovation in health services and systems; New partnerships and collaborations for health system research and development; Future reciprocal learning and evaluation approaches for health system development. Abstracts in a given sub-theme may address any of the Symposium’s traditional ‘field-building dimensions’: Cutting-edge research, Innovative research approaches and measures, Novel strategies for developing capacity, Learning communities and knowledge translation, Innovative practice in health systems development. See website for details.
The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites applications from African scholars to fill the vacant position of Senior Programme Officer (Research) in its pan-African Secretariat located in Dakar, Senegal. This position is categorised as belonging to the senior staff of the Council and as such is filled on the basis of an international announcement. The successful candidate will work as a senior member of the Secretariat under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary of the Council. Candidates wishing to apply for the position are requested to note the following: The Senior Programme Officer (Research) has as his/her primary responsibility the management of the Council’s Research Programme including overseeing National, Multinational and Trans-National Working Groups, Comparative Research Networks, as well as thematic and issue-specific research programmes, special initiatives and projects. In this connection, the Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for managing all aspects of the portfolio of programmes entrusted to him/her, and overseeing the work of Programme Officers managing programme clusters within the Research Programme, each of which may include several of the following programmes: the Gender Programme, the Academic Freedom Programme, the African Humanities Programme, the Governance Programme, the Health, Politics and Society Programme, the Programme on Children and Youth, the Higher Education Leadership Programme, the Environmental Governance Programme, the Economic Policies Programme, the Lusophone Initiative, and the South-South Tri-continental Collaborative Programme. The Research Programme also organises major conferences tied to the Council’s programmes and strategy. In addition to his/her specific responsibilities, the successful candidate will be called upon to perform the following functions: initiate, develop and, where appropriate, manage new projects and programmes; lend support for the realisation of the other scientific activities of the Council; organise academic and policy meetings; promote contacts with researchers, professional associations and regional organisations; prepare research and funding proposals on themes connected to his/her areas of expertise as may be requested by the Executive Secretary; and where appropriate, liaise with funding organisations under the direction of the Executive Secretary.See website for application details.
As part of efforts to increase capacity to conduct research on GBV/VAWG in the continent, the African Population and Health Research Center, in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, International Rescue Committee and the Department for International Development has announced a call for applications to support 3 doctoral students interested in working in and contributing to this field of research. The expectation is that the fellows will contribute to the field through their doctoral research and, in future, will work in this field, applying their knowledge and expertise. The award of these fellowships is contingent on funding availability. See website for details.
Health Systems Trust is hosting a conference from 4-6 May 2016 at the Birchwood Conference centre, Gauteng South Africa. Under the banner of Health for all through strengthened health systems: sharing, supporting, synergising, the event is designed to advance the global public health agenda in improving health outcomes. The three-day conference will convene approximately 300 healthcare workers from the public and private sectors as well as policy- and decision-makers, civil society groupings and academics. The conference will provide an opportunity to discuss challenges faced and solutions adopted at various levels in the health system. See website for details.
Gathering 250+ senior representatives and advisors from regional governments, UN agencies, international and regional NGOs, CBOs, investors and donors, research institutes and the private sector, this summit looks at how technological innovations and best practice can improve aid delivery and development strategy in East Africa. The summit demonstrates best practice approaches, current initiatives and latest innovations, offering trans-disciplinary discussions with participants from all relevant stakeholder groups. The agenda has been developed in consultation with UN organisations. The specific objectives of this summit are: to showcase expertise, approaches and innovations by different global stakeholders, to discuss best practice, guidelines and policy that support technological innovations and to provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange and networking amongst public, private and civil society stakeholders.
The abstract reviewers are looking forward to receiving outlines for oral and poster presentations demonstrating innovations and good practice in Primary Health Care projects and programmes. Knowledge sharing and skills transfer are an important component of the Conference. To this end, the organisers also invite abstract submissions for the pre-conference workshops which should include interactive participation and offer practical outcomes to the delegates. Through the media of storytelling, drama, film, music or art, the organisers aim to create a platform for thought-provoking discussions through a non-conventional Conference experience. The organisers would like to hear from all those who work in and around South Africa’s health system, especially: district- and facility-based healthcare workers and community members of facility governance structures; development partners; universities; district, provincial and municipal structures; the National Department of Health; AIDS councils; private health sector; non-governmental and community-based organisations; health communicators; film producers; and artists.