‘Vulnerabilities’ and ‘Capabilities’ within the Context of Protracted Displacement Crises (Project ID SAS0209)

Whilst the ‘vulnerabilities’ of refugees and internally displaced persons have been often highlighted and documented over several decades, less is known about the ‘capabilities’ of displaced people themselves to respond to contexts of exile/displacement. This project will seek to address this gap by focusing on both ‘vulnerabilities’ and ‘capabilities’ (de Haas 2010) of displaced individuals and communities within the comparative context of conflict and climate-change related displacements.

By working closely with members of both displaced and ‘host’ communities, the project will consider micro-, meso- and macro-level narratives around ‘vulnerabilities’ and ‘capabilities’ within the context of forced displacement to generate and disseminate knowledge of how rhythms (Lefebvre 2013) and rituals of exile sustain displaced populations. It will also focus on how political and politicised labels of ‘illegality’, ‘smuggling’, ‘trafficking’, ‘refugees’, and other ‘convenient images’ (Zetter, 2007) and competing definitions relate to experiences and visibility of violence experienced by displaced individuals and communities on a ‘continuum of displacement, transition and resettlement’ (Catolico 2013).

This project will investigate, explore and engage critically with a proposed theoretical continuum running from extreme ‘vulnerability’ to ‘capability’ and empowerment in displacement. To do this, this project will encompass social science approaches to interviewing IDPs, refugees and key informants; social science evidence from databases held by the international and national organisations (including International Organization for Migration); and humanities-based approaches of collecting of video, visual and written documentation relating to rhythms and ritual practices during ‘liminal’ periods (Menjivar 2006) for displaced communities.

Please note that all applicants must identify a specific displacement context as part of their project proposal form. This context should be one with which they are most familiar and will serve as the main site for their empirical data collection.

 

Academic qualifications

A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in social sciences or humanities with a good fundamental knowledge of key issues surrounding migration, development and human rights.

 

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

 

Essential attributes:

·        Experience of fundamental social science research methods

·        Competent in a discipline related to the project, such as, but not limited to, human geography, sociology, migration studies, refugee studies, anthropology or socio-legal studies.

·        Knowledge of the discipline and of research methods and techniques to develop and complete an individual PhD-level research programme

·        Good written and oral communication skills

·        Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project

·        Good time management

Desirable attributes:

NA 

 

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK ON THE ‘INSTITUTION WEBSITE’ LINK ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE.

When applying, please quote the application reference SAS0209 on your form.

 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

·        Completed application form, including a project proposal form (you must contact Dr Kiril Sharapov (k.sharapov@napier.ac.uk) to request a project proposal form specific to this project)  

·        CV

·        2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (Found on the application process page)

·        A personal research statement (This should include (a) a brief description of your relevant experience and skills, (b) an indication of what you would uniquely bring to the project and (c) a statement of how this project fits with your future direction.)

·        Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)