British Institute East Africa (BIEA) Graduate Attachment Scheme 2020/2021 for African Graduate Researchers (Fully funded to Nairobi)

Applications are now open for the British Institute East Africa (BIEA) Graduate Attachment Scheme for African Graduate Researchers 2020/2021 (Fully funded to Nairobi)

BIEA graduate attachments offer recent graduates, with an interest in further studies in Africa, the opportunity to gain practical experience of research. The June 2020 to May 2021 BIEA graduate attachment scheme will take up to nine successful applicants.  Graduate attachés will be involved in three types of work while at the BIEA:

  • Attachés will develop specific research interests in the region, gain practical experience of conducting fieldwork, meet a variety of active researchers, and take part in a number of innovative historical, archaeological and anthropological projects throughout eastern Africa;
  • Assisting with the administration of the BIEA including website, library, reading groups focused on key texts in African studies, workshops and seminars; and,
  • Doing their own research usually leading into developing a plan for a Masters or PhD. Their attachment involves the presentation of a paper in the BIEA Completion Seminar Series upon some aspect of the research they have carried out during their time at BIEA.

Graduate attachés will be given a total allowance of £1600.00 for the three months of the attachment to pay for accommodation, food, daily transport in Nairobi and medicine. The attachés will have to provide receipts for their expenses amounting to their total allowance (small food purchases can be written down weekly in a receipt book/ledger). The total costs for transport to and from Nairobi at beginning and end of an attaché’s stay will be paid separately on a needs basis. Graduate attachés will not be obliged to use the offered BIEA accommodation, but will be given preferential access to the dorm rooms, should they wish to use the BIEA guest house. The BIEA has free weekly Swahili lessons, at beginner, intermediate and advanced level that graduate attachés can join.

The timing of researcher projects often change due to budgets and administration so cannot be guaranteed but below is a list of researchers who have plans for the next year. Potential graduate attachés should also explore the BIEA Annual Review to find out about other possible projects that are on-going. Graduate attachés are eligible to apply for more funds from the BIEA for field research.

Graduate attachments are three months long. There may be opportunities to extend your stay but accommodation, food, visa and transport changes will be at the attaché’s own expense. You will need a strong academic record, some experience of studying/researching Africa, and a clear interest in developing your own research. You should also be able to show significant initiative and that you are equally adept at working and living alone or as part of a large team. You should be ready to offer enthusiastic assistance for various field projects and subsequent data analysis. Graduate attachés can arrive between 1 July 2020 and 1 January 2021. The scheme for this year will finish on 31 March 2021. Please specify the three-month time period(s) that you are available for this scheme in your application.

Deadline for applications 25th February 2020

To Apply.  Applicants should send a  CV and Cover Letter  to  [email protected]  explaining how participation in the scheme will assist the development of your career. You will need to arrange for two academic references to be sent directly to BIEA.

Projects

  1. Marakwet Project

The ‘UCL Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) Marakwet Project’ run Dr. Matthew Davies and Professor Henrietta Moore will require several attachees as in previous years. The Project is ongoing with a number of fieldwork dates across the year. For more information see the following links (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/african-studies/people/dr-matthew-davies);  (http://www.igp.ucl.ac.uk/people/institute-director)  (http://www.igp.ucl.ac.uk/research/projects/marakwet-research-station).

  • Wells Project

The ‘Indigenous wells as biocultural heritage: community archaeology for sustainable development in pastoralist communities of Kenya and Ethiopia’ is an archaeological project funded by the British Academy and run by Dr Freda Nkirote and Prof Paul lane

  • Marine Cultural Heritage Project

Palm, Sand and Fish: Traditional Technologies of the Daughters of the Azanian Coast of East Africa, funded by “Rising from the Depth” A network that is funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council, (AHRC). Project run by  Dr. Freda Nkrote and Dr Matt Davies , British Institute in Eastern Africa

  • Ishiara Archaeological Research

Investigations into Bantu Migrations giving it a higher resolution through Excavations of Iron Age sites around Mbeere area of Mt. Kenya region. Project Run by Dr Freda Nkirote.

For more Information : Visit the website for British Institute East Africa (BIEA) Graduate Attachment Scheme 2020/20201