What do you think of when you hear the word decolonisation?
From campaigns to remove statues and calls to diversify universities to the independence movements of the 60s and 70s, the term continues to spark urgent debate across academia, politics and public life.
An ongoing series of lectures from the Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF) explores some of the most urgent questions, tracing the legacies of empire, which are still felt today.
You can now read our write-up of the first lecture, which examined the relationship between decolonisation and globalisation – and the role of US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs in this.
A second lecture looked at the colonisation of Newfoundland. We’ll be writing something about that soon, as well as pulling together a longer article when the lecture series ends.
The third and final lecture is by Professor Adam Hanieh, who will speak about Oil, Decolonisation and the Future of the Climate Emergency on 15 May. You can currently register to attend the event at Gresham College in London.
Now, onto this week’s latest opportunities from across the world of research, communications and policymaking:
A new enquiry has been launched to try and find a technological solution to mobile phone theft. This one-off parliamentary session will look at whether changes can be made to help reduce the incentives around theft and resale. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is calling for evidence from researchers, industry experts and the public with submissions welcome from anyone with insights into existing or potential solutions – and the barriers to their adoption. Deadline: 15 May.
Applications are currently open for a year-long fellowship with Refugees International. The independent humanitarian organisation wants to support “the existing advocacy efforts of forcibly displaced leaders around the world”. Fellows will collaborate with staff on reports, op-eds, events and direct policy engagement. The scheme comes with a $15,000 grant. The fellowship is open to applicants from all countries, with priority given to “forcibly displaced individuals working in regions, countries, and on themes that align with Refugees International’s current advocacy priorities”. Deadline: 15 May.
There’s still time to apply for an opportunity to attend an academic forum in Dubai – with flights and accommodation covered. Prototypes for Humanity aims to address some of the world’s most pressing global social and environmental challenges. Applications are currently open for the newly established Professors’ Programme. Selected academics will be invited to the event at Jumeirah Emirates Towers from November 17 to 20. If you’re interested, simply submit a brief abstract for an academic paper addressing one of a number of timely key themes. Deadline: 16 May.
The AmplifyChange fund aims to support grassroots sexual and reproductive health organisations. It’s currently offering funding of up to £75,000 to support organisations in this area working across Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. These opportunity grants are intended to foster innovative ideas and support advocacy. Projects can last 18 months or two years. Applicants are encouraged to “be realistic and apply for the amount that is best for your organisation and project”. Applications open on 19 May.
Here’s a good opportunity for researchers to help shape the future of public engagement. The Royal Society is carrying out work to build on previous investigations into this subject over the past 20 years. As part of this, a survey has been launched for UK-based researchers. It’s open to academics from any discipline. The idea is to gather evidence of the development of the UK public engagement landscape over time in order to support policymaking. The survey should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Deadline: 1 June.
The UK government is moving ahead with plans for a deposit return scheme to tackle single-use drinks container waste. As part of this, a new Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) will be created to lead the system, overseeing everything from logistics to fraud prevention and regulatory compliance. A recruitment drive is now underway to build a leadership team. Job adverts have gone up for a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, independent chair, and two independent non-executive directors. Deadline: 4 June.
There are currently two permanent lecturer positions in international relations being advertised at the University of St Andrews. The university’s school of international relations is looking for two full-time academics, one specialising in the Middle East and the other specialising in Africa. You should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline and be able to demonstrate excellence in research, teaching and knowledge exchange. These positions are equivalent to assistant professor and come with staff benefits, including relocation support and hybrid working. Deadline: 6 June.
And applications will soon open for a £15 million funding pot aimed at tackling one of the world’s most urgent health challenges. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will fund projects of up to £3 million as part of a flagship programme fighting antimicrobial resistance. UKRI is looking to support ambitious transdisciplinary research which improves the prediction and prevention of infectious diseases affecting people, animals, plants and the environment for a period of up to five years. Researchers should be employed by an organisation eligible for UKRI funding. In order to make a full application, you must register your intent at this stage. Deadline: 18 June.
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All the best,
Adam at Universal Impact
