The Wits History Workshop invites applications for 2 MA fellowships to study institutional transformation in urban mobility governance on the African continent.
The project explores changes in urban mobility governance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Kampala, Uganda. In both cities, steps have been taken to support the mobility practices of walking and cycling. This is a novel development which goes against the general tide in patterns of urban mobility policies. This raises interesting questions on the dynamics of change. Assuming a long term perspective in inquiry, the aim of the project is to understand:
i) why and how the formal rules, norms, expectations and beliefs (institutions) about urban mobility guiding the activities of state and non-state actors have changed;
ii) the distribution of these institutions among urban mobility actors in Addis Ababa and Kampala;
ii) how the contexts themselves account for changes.
This project is made possible by a research grant awarded by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) at the end of 2020. The project team includes colleagues at the Wits History Workshop, Jimma University, Ethiopia and other associates. The principal investigator, Dr Njogu Morgan, is based at the Wits History Workshop.
Student involvement
The project is interdisciplinary and welcomes applications from students with distinguished academic records in the fields of History, Geography, Urban Planning, Organisational and Institutional Studies, Political Studies, Sociology, Social Anthropology and relevant adjacent subjects.
Students will undertake their Masters research in this project under the supervision of the principal investigator. It is expected that some of the research will involve fieldwork in the study sites. Students will undertake the fieldwork together with members of project team for the purposes of mentorship and assistance in negotiating the study sites.
Value of the fellowship and eligibility
ï‚· The value of the fellowship is R100 000 plus a separate research allowance
ï‚· Students must be registered at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Application and deadline
For any inquiries write to njogu.morgan@wits.ac.za.
To apply please submit the following to antonette.gouws@wits.ac.za by Friday 12 March 2021:
ï‚· A detailed and up-to-date CV showing your degrees and course components.
ï‚· A one-page concept paper why the candidate is interested in the project and sketching out some
ideas on how the candidate might undertake the project.
ï‚· Two academic letters of reference.
ï‚· Certified copies of degrees
ï‚· An academic transcript
ï‚· An example of any recent written or published work such as an honors research report
Application Deadline:Friday 12 March 2021
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