Adaptation in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) PROJECT: Call for Applications-Student Researchers

Adaptation in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) PROJECT

CALL FOR STUDENT RESEARCHERS (MPhil and PhD)

ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/2017

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

The Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) project is examining the barriers and enablers to climate change adaptation in semi-arid Africa and Asia. ASSAR aims to promote climate adaptation policies and practices that are effective, widespread and sustainable and that support wellbeing of marginalized people. In West Africa, ASSAR focuses on the dry sub-humid band that extends from the Upper West Region of northern Ghana through to southern Mali, referred to as the Wa-Bobo-Sikasso transect. The project is now open to receiving the next cohort of graduate students (M.Phil. and Ph.D.) to build on the information gained so far and carry it forward.

Below are specific thematic questions that ASSAR is researching. It is anticipated that these questions could be studied alone, in combination with each other, or integrated into an existing research plan. Students would receive support for only research costs and would be expected to be actively involved with meeting ASSAR research goals as well as those of their respective academic departments. 

Students, especially qualified female applicants, who have the following, are encouraged to apply:

•          French language skills and interested in conducting field research in Mali
•          Working knowledge of any local languages spoken in the Upper West region of Ghana

        ASSAR Research Focus Areas

Governance

-What governance structures and processes focus on or relate to adaptation?

-How does adaptation governance interact across and within scales, sectors and groups?

-How can governance structures and processes be made more responsive to dynamic system change in semi-arid regions?

-How is decentralization enabling or hindering adaptation and why?

Social Differentiation (to be co-researched with Governance and Ecosystem Services)

-How are patterns in vulnerability and responses changing, why and what is the impact on wellbeing of different groups??

-How is migration playing a role in or influencing adaptation and which groups are involved and why?

Ecosystem Services (to be co-researched with Governance and Social Differentiation)

-What are the key ecosystem services, how are they distributed and who benefits from them?

-How is the use of ecosystem services governed, and what are the consequences for different social groups and the ecosystem services themselves?

-What changes in quantity, quality and distribution of ecosystem services have been seen in the last few decades and are expected in the medium-term and long-term, and what drives these changes at the study sites.

Knowledge Systems (cross cutting across the core research themes)

-What governance arrangements serve as barriers or enablers for the generation and transfer of knowledge relating to climate change and climate change adaptation in the study sites?

Gender(cross cutting across the core research themes)

-Do gendered patterns emerge across the social groups? What changes in these patterns can be observed or identified?

-What patterns of intersectional social difference (e.g. unmarried women, older men, young immigrant women) emerge as relevant for each question? How do these patterns relate to the overall patterns of vulnerability, adaptive capacity, and wellbeing?

Desired Qualifications:

·         Already enrolled in a relevant graduate program in the University of Ghana (e.g., Institute of Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), School of Agriculture, Department of Geography and Resource Development, Climate Change and Sustainable Development programmes)

·         Should have completed course requirements preceding field research (Course work for MPhil students, and Comprehensive Examinations and confirmation as a PhD candidate for PhD students)

·         Working knowledge of at least one of the languages spoken in the study areas.

·         Willingness to stay for an extended period in the study areas for research (up to three months).

·         Willingness to actively contribute to the ASSAR project research goals and maintain a relationship with the project as a reference after the completion of fieldwork. 

Applicants must submit:

·         A cover letter that explains  in detail the applicant’s qualifications, research area and how these  are aligned with the research questions put forth in this Call  

·         A CV (3 page max) emailed as part of the application and also submitted in hard copy.

·         Names and full contact addresses (including e-mail and telephone numbers) of 3 referees.

All applications must be submitted in hard copy and email form:

Hard Copies:

The Coordinator, ASSAR Project

Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS)

P. O. Box 209, Legon

College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana

Soft copies with the subject heading:  “ASSAR Research Funding” to: elaine_t@staff.ug.edu.gh  

For additional information visit: ASSAR Project, http://www.assaradapt.org/ or IESS website

Or contact the Coordinator, Dr. Elaine T. Lawson at:  elaine_t@staff.ug.edu.gh

Deadline for the Submission of Applications: Thursday June 30, 2016.