ACCESS-AUTHORITY NEXUS IN FARMER-HERDER CONFLICTS (AAN)      

Background and call for applications

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, Denmark (UCPH) hereby invite interested and qualified citizens of Ghana (holding MSc degree or equivalent in relevant disciplines) to submit applications for three funded PhD positions available within a Danida-funded project dubbed ‘Access-Authority Nexus in Farmer-Herder Conflicts (AAN)’.

The overall goal of AAN is to contribute to the building of well-functioning and legitimate institutions for peace, stability and wellbeing in Ghana. The project shall analyse the processes of frontier and territoriality in the formation and erosion of access and authority, and the livelihood consequences of farmer-herder conflicts in Ghana.  It shall be implemented at two research sites: Agogo (Asante Akyem North District) and Afram Plains (Kwahu Afram Plains North District). For further details of the AAN project, click this link: AAN Project description. 

Conditions for the scholarships

1. The scholarships are of four years duration: will commence on July 1, 2019 and end in 2023.
2. The PhD scholars will be supervised by a joint team of senior academics from KNUST, UDS, UENR and UCPH, and will be provided PhD level training in both Ghana and Denmark.
3. The PhD study enrolments shall be done at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (2 students) and the University for Development Studies (1 student).
4. The PhD studies include two study stays at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark: 1. In the first quarter of 2020 to finalize research proposals and 2. In the last quarter of 2022 to draft manuscripts.
5. The PhD studies and research will be closely integrated and coordinated with other activities in the AAN project.
6. Each PhD scholarship comes with monthly stipends (Ghana Cedi equivalent of DKK 5,500) and other study support (tuition fees, laptop computer, travel and living expenses for two study stays in Denmark and logistical support for data collection).
7. The PhD positions are full time for the entire four year period, and the PhD candidates cannot combine it with other work or work-related assignments.

Focus areas of PhD studies

The PhD studies shall fall within two focus areas:

1. How farmer-herder conflicts impact livelihoods, income and labour allocation. It shall involve: 1) Quantitative assessment of conflict-associated livelihood changes through a large-scale survey at the two project sites; 2) Qualitative assessment of livelihood changes through life-story interviews, key informant interviews, and participant observation.
2. How farmer-herder conflicts are reinterpreting access to land and other natural resources, and how such territorialisation influences the authority of various politico-legal institutions. It shall involve: 1) Investigation of access portfolios, mechanisms of access and related dynamics in space and time through access mapping with the use of semi-structured interviews, participant observation, life-story interviews, archive and document analysis; 2) Investigation of the dynamics and struggles over authority and legitimacy of politico-legal institutions through key informant interviews and document analysis.

Application procedure and deadline

Applications for the PhD positions must be done using the AAN PhD Application Form, downloadable from (Here!)   

The duly completed application form must be submitted through email to the address aanconflictproject@gmail.com. The application email should have two pdf-format attachments; (1) the completed and signed application form in PDF format and (2) all supporting documents (see ‘Part F’ of application form) compiled into one PDF file. If you wish to make enquiries on the application process, please do via the same email address.

How applications will be assessed

Firstly, the applications will be screened for eligibility. Make sure that your application is complete. Pay attention to the checklist in Part F of the application form.

Eligible applications will be evaluated by an Assessment Committee consisting of senior scholars from the collaborating institutions. The evaluation criteria are:

1. Academic achievements as evidenced by (i) an excellent second university degree; and (ii) documented research achievements, e.g. publications in peer-reviewed journals or other indicators of intellectual potential, e.g. relevant working experience in organizations with very competitive selection processes (55%).
2. Research synopsis that closely relates to one of the PhD study focus areas indicated in the call, and demonstrates insight and interest in the subject matter (35%).
3. Recommendations from two academic referees (10%).

Note

Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview session in Kumasi in May 2019.

The deadline for application is Thursday, 14^th May, 2019 at 17.00 GMT

Women are encouraged to apply.

Contact

Boateng Kyereh (PhD)

Associate Professor

Dean, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

Email: kyerehb@gmail.com