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Saylac – Raadraaca dhismeyaasha taariikhiga ah iyo xidhiidhadii dhaqan-bulsheed ee Gacanka Cadmeed
Closing date for applications: Thursday 5 January, 1pm
Shortlisting of candidates: w/c 9 January, dates for interview tbc
Start: January 2023, starting date tbc
End: May 2023, closing date tbc (plus a possible extension period for finalisation of deliverables, to be negotiated with DPU and RCF, further details below)
Financial support: to be agreed with DPU and RCF (please see below ‘Contractual details’ section, we welcome enquiries on this aspect)
Eligibility: open to all interested candidates
The DPU summerLab was born out of the MSc Building & Urban Design in Development (BUDD) course in 2009 and expanded in 2010 into a wider DPU initiative. It is intended to provoke, stimulate, and reconsider the role of designers and researchers in promoting spatial justice in cities’ contested spaces. In this special 2022 series, we are reviewing and expanding our format, offering the opportunity to a series of researchers to work in a specific locality, with the support of a local partner – in this case in Zeila, Somaliland, in collaboration with the Redsea Cultural Foundation (RCF).
RCF is an organisation aiming to promote reading and creative writing in Somali-speaking society with a particular focus on youth. The RCF established in 2014 the Hargeysa Cultural Centre (HCC) in Somaliland, that is well recognised worldwide for its yearly art and culture celebration through the Hargeysa International Book Fair. The centre is also engaged in all socially significant activities including knowledge production and dissemination. It provides trainings, engages in research and also works in collaboration with regional and global institutions for equal opportunity and collaborative global citizenry.
- Main purpose of the role and responsibilities
The Research Fellow will be working in Somaliland from January 2023 to May 2023 (starting and closing date tbc, in agreement with DPU and RCF). The Fellow will be based alternately in Hargeysa and Zeila. Continuous work in Zeila is expected for two periods (exact dates tbc) of about 4 weeks each. A possible extension period for the finalisation of deliverables can be negotiated with DPU and RCF: during such extension period, the Fellow will have the possibility to work remotely from any location.
The Research Fellow will be working under the supervision of DPU and RCF staff, that will happen through face-to-face or remote interaction.
Main responsibilities of the Research Fellow will be:
- To map out physical artefacts on site that the s/he, in agreement with the supervisors, will deem to be of relevance for the socio-cultural and spatial trajectory of development of Zeila;
- To research traditional constructive techniques as emerging from the analysis of the above-mentioned artefacts;
- To document attempts – if any, and whether formal or informal – at the conservation of the above artefacts;
- To document oral histories (e.g. traditional songs, testimonies) that s/he in agreement with the supervisors, will deem to be of relevance for the socio-cultural trajectory of development of Zeila;
- To conduct archival research to corroborate and enrich the information gathered from primary sources;
- To conduct archival research to situate the above investigation within the wider context of the Gulf of Aden, questioning the historical role of Zeila in such context.The above activities will be supervised by senior staff at RCF and further supervised (in situ and then remotely) by DPU staff.
Additionally:
- please notice that, prior to the above Zeila-based and Hargeysa-based activities, the Research Fellow will be required to attend a one-day mandatory research workshop at the DPU (dates tbc). In the event the Research Fellow is not currently based in London, the workshop can be attended online from a remote location;
- please notice that, should the project’s deliverables not be completed by the agreed closing date in May 2023, the Research Fellow will be required to negotiate an extension with RCF and DPU, and to comply with the agreed deadline.
- Person specification
Criteria (qualifications, experience and knowledge)
Essential or Desirable
Assessment method (Application / Interview)
Fluency in (spoken and written) Somali
E
A and I
Fluency in (spoken and written) English
E
A and I
Understanding of the current development challenges of Somaliland, the Horn of Africa, gulf of Aden
E
A and I
Experience in the production of maps, and in the collection of data through mapping
E
A and I
Experience in the collection of data through ethnographic research methods
E
A and I
Knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) databases
D
A and I
Knowledge of construction materials and technologies, and of conservation techniques
D
A and I
Understanding of the current debate on tangible and intangible forms of heritage
E
A and I
Previous experience working in research projects and within wider research teams
D
A and I
Self-motivation and proven experience of working under own initiative
E
A and I
- Contractual details
DPU will support the selected Research Fellow covering:
a. Travel costs to Zeila;
b. A living allowance to cover accommodation, meals, and transportation to and from work station;
c. Visa as and if applicable;
d. Medical insurance (and covid tests, as and if applicable by the date of departure). Please notice that showing proof of payment of the insurance is a pre-condition for being granted the award.Please notice that the Research Fellow will be required to return a part or the entirety of the overall financial support in case of early interruption of the fellowship or if failing to finalise the agreed deliverables.
To apply
Please send a statement of purpose and a CV by 1pm on Thursday 5 January, to dpusummerLab@ucl.ac.uk. Shortlisted candidates will be notified in the w/c 9 January – a specific time and date for interview will be communicated once candidates are notified.
For clarification and further information, please contact Dr Giorgio Talocci (DPU summerLab programme coordinator) at giorgio.talocci.11@ucl.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.