Writing and Researching on the Global South: Shared Experiences and Reflections in social science/humanities

The School of Global Studies in partnership with YSI proposes a two-day workshop that seeks to provide a platform through which post-graduate students (Ph.D. and Postdoctoral researchers) in the social science/humanities working on the global south can be empowered as they navigate their academic terrain. The workshop will allow students to interact over a range of research-related challenges faced by young scholars in the global south. Interaction will be facilitated amongst themselves as well as with more experienced and accomplished scholars. Experts will be invited to share their knowledge on a broad range of issues, ranging from navigating research in the global south, navigating the politics that comes with access to information and resources, publications, and grant application skills.  Questions of access, knowledge creation, power dynamics, and citational praxis will also be explored.

It is envisaged that the students will also be given an opportunity to work with senior academics in a mentor/mentee arrangement regarding their work (from dissertation writing to the identification of research topics to writing up and presenting actual research findings) depending on the student’s level of progress. Discussions around publishing and access to publishers will also be made. It is the intention that the mentorship arrangements set up during the workshop will continue after the event and generate longer-term support networks for the young scholars involved. Through these interactions, future academic collaborations and an expanded network among scholars in the Global North could be established. The target for this workshop will be 15-25 young scholars, 15 of whom will be fully funded by YSI. Participants will be selected from eligible applicants who would have responded to the workshop call. In order to avoid stretching the budget, only applicants currently within Europe will be considered. In addition, the workshop will involve doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from the Global South who are based at the School of Global Studies.  This will facilitate exchange and support building among young scholars at Sussex and others from across Europe.The objectives of this workshop neatly dovetail with the vision and mission of the Young Scholars Initiative in networking for the purpose of answering social and economic questions and inculcating skills in young scholars. YSI seeks to create a vibrant platform that encourages mentorship and networking. This workshop will thus increase the visibility of the YSI at the University of Sussex.

Participants are expected to among other things:

• Gain the necessary skills to conduct research in the global south.

• Acquainted with publishing skills required to publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
• Gain skills in applying for scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
• To get mentorship regarding post-studies life, including the art of negotiating the after-life of graduation.
• To network, and exchange knowledge about the research process.
• To be integrated into the broader network of the Young Scholars Initiative.

Applicants should send their abstracts and motivation for attending by 15 July 2024. Successful applicants will be notified by 10 August 2024. Applicants should use this link to apply