PhD Scholarship on Militarisation 2019 in Uganda at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship at the Department of Political Science, UCPH. The PhD project is an integral part the of the research project “Militarisation, sustainable growth and peace in Uganda” funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and administered by Danida Fellowship Centre. The project is a collaboration between CRIC, Centre for Resolution of International Conflicts, at the University of Copenhagen, and HURIPEC, The Human Rights and Peace Center, at Makerere University. The successful applicant will thus join a vibrant international research environment and enroll at the Faculty of Social Sciences under Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences. Employment is expected to begin on 1 September 2019. 

 

Deadline for applications: 1 June 2019.   

 

Project description  

The rationale behind this project is to explore the current trend of militarisation in Uganda with a threefold aim: First, to better understand the militarisation phenomenon in Uganda and to analyse its scope and consequences; second, to contribute to theoretical conceptualisations of militarisation; third, to increase the dialogue and awareness among private and public partners in Uganda about how democratic accountability, protection of rights and state-building can be strengthened in an era of militarisation. Although military control over resources and implementation can in some contexts be a step towards achieving development, it may also undermine a country’s economic performance and could lead to increased instability. This project seeks to examine the nature and extent of militarisation in Uganda in key sectors and institutions and how this process impacts central development agendas, possibilities for oversight, institutional capacities and independence, the country’s political and ethnic dynamics, and the role and agency of civil society. These assessments will include gender sensitive perspectives across different components to examine avenues for the involvement of women in democratic accountability. Ultimately, the analysis of these societal effects will enable the assessment of the viability in the case of Uganda of the strategy of militarisation for accelerated growth in various areas. In terms of long-term objectives, the project aims to contribute to enhancing knowledge and understanding and to better enable both Ugandan actors and international partners to contribute to the overarching Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 16 on peace, justice, inclusive growth and strong institutions.   

 

The applicant is to independently design and propose a project for the PhD dissertation. Within the larger framework of the general project, the PhD dissertation is expected to address the relationship between militarisation at the regional and domestic levels and/or the Ugandan military, its identity and practices. This description indicates the fields in which to study, not the exact research question(s) to be answered, which the applicant should justify in the project description. While enrolled at UCPH, the PHD student will likely spend one year in Uganda focused on field research and hosted by HURIPEC. The 5 page research proposal should include key questions, theoretical framework, methodology and how your planned thesis will add to already existing research. The research proposal should also comprise a preliminary bibliography and a preliminary study plan. The applicant is expected to partake in the joint development of the research project and of the centre, CRIC. 

 

We are seeking a motivated and creative PhD student who displays enthusiasm and good interpersonal and communication skills. Candidates with documented knowledge on East Africa and fieldwork experience are preferred. Familiarity with military institutions is an advantage. Experiences from outside the academic world will count in the evaluation process.  

 

Principal supervisor is likely to be Professor Ole Wæver, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen; ow@ifs.ku.dk  

 

Shortly, a second PhD position will be announced, where the student will be enrolled at Makerere University, with an interleaved stay in Copenhagen.  

 

The Human Rights and Peace Center, HURIPEC, a semi-autonomous department under the School of Law was set up by Makerere University in 1993, as the first human rights center of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The centre pursues a vision of contributing to the establishment of an educated, activist, academic society with a high awareness of human rights in Uganda and other countries. It has consistantly engaged in events geared at promoting the understanding and respect for human rights, democratic governance and sustainable peace in the East Africa subregion specifica1lly and Africa generally through teaching, research and outreach. 

 

Centre for Resolution of International Conflicts, CRIC, is an interdisciplinary research centre aiming to strengthen the prevention and resolution of violent conflicts through developing analytical tools and practical techniques in collaboration with practitioners. It was originally funded for four years by the then “Danish Council for Strategic Research” and later by the Carlsberg Foundation. 

The PhD programme at UCPH provides PhD students with strong research training which opens up a window of opportunity to a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The programme includes the drafting of a PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, teaching, and other forms of knowledge dissemination. The PhD programme can be undertaken as a three year full-time study within the framework of the 5+3 study programme, or as a four year full-time study programme within the framework of the 4+4 study programme. 

 

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.