Are you an early career researcher interested in refugee education? Do you have ideas that could potentially change practice or policy in relation to refugee/migrant education in your context?

If so, read on to find out how to apply for a unique week-long residential opportunity in Tuscany this November, with all costs covered other than your travel to Florence.

This residential experience will provide a space for deep thought and reflection on your path in this field and offer tailored support, training and guidance for early career researchers who want to mobilise their academic research to effect change. The training team will consist of experts within European migration and education. We will help you design a project for delivery in your chosen locality, with training covering topics such as place-based work, policy advocacy and academic activism. During the week we will help you consider questions such as:

  • What partnerships should you pursue?
  • How do other advocates work on these issues?
  • How sustainable is working with local government right now?
  • Is the issue really urgent or relevant on a larger scale?
  • What’s better to change: policy or practice?
  • Do we want to scale or institutionalise?

After the residential, you will continue to meet with your fellow HERE academic activists in short webinars ever 6 weeks for the rest of the academic year to compare progress in project implementation.

The programme is organised by the Hub for Education of Refugees in Europe (HERE) with support from the SIRIUS Policy Network on Migrant Education. It is generously hosted by the Monasterino della Conoscenza. All accommodation and meals plus transfer to and from Florence airport will be provided free for this five-day programme.

Criteria

If you are interested, please check that you meet the following criteria and then submit an application:

  • Are you an early career researcher (currently studying for a doctorate/up to 6 years post successful award of a doctorate) in a related field?
  • Are you able to situate your proposed project within a specific location (city/town/village/community) in Europe?
  • Are you able to fund your travel to and from Florence airport/train station? (Transit to the location for the residential will be provided)
  • Are you able to attend the residential for the entire period from 20th-25th November 2023?
  • Are you able to carry out your planned project in your proposed location after the residential? (We are interested in place-based ideas where we think change can be effected for a community or location)
  • In return for our accommodation and board, are you willing to volunteer with the rest of the group for half a day during the residential as part of the Monasterino outreach activity?

How to apply

If the answer to all of the above is yes, then please submit a PDF or Word application covering the following (maximum 1,500 words) to Professor Joanna McIntyre (joanna.mcintyre@nottingham.ac.uk):

  • A brief description of previous work you have been involved with which showcases impact on a policy/practice/organisational goal to support children/young people
  • Your outline idea for a project you wish to conduct in your location which will illustrate your response to the challenge: ‘How to change practices and policies in refugee education for young people: a place-based approach’
  • Brief rationale for your project idea
  • Why your chosen location

Deadline for applications: 6th October 2023