PhD Scholarship on Media, Empowerment and Democracy in Tanzania

*PhD Scholarship on Media, Empowerment and Democracy in Tanzania - media ethnographic perspectives*

The research project, "People Speaking Back? Media, Empowerment and Democracy in East Africa (MEDI/e/A)" offers a full-time PhD scholarship
(36 months) starting on June 1^st 2010. The PhD student will be registered at University of Dar es Salaam, Salaries follow national standards for PhD students in Tanzania.

* *

*About MEDIeA *

The overall objective of MEDI/e/A (See detailed description in the
MEDIeA project document at http://mediea. ruc.dk) is to explore the role
civil society driven media and communication technologies potentially
can have in enhancing participatory governance processes in East Africa, more specifically in Kenya and Tanzania. The
core inquiry of MEDI/e/A grows from a concern about how young people are
secured a role in both the local, national and regional development
processes they belong to and, ideally, should be centrally placed
within. The research project's analytical challenge is to understand the
ways and means in which youth as ordinary citizens engage with such
civil society driven media and communication platforms and what
socio-cultural and policy related outcomes this may have.

MEDIeA comprises of a team of four researchers in addition to the two
PhD students. In Kenya, the team consists of Associate Research
Professor Winnie Mitullah from University of Nairobi, PhD-student Grace
Gathiaga (started January 1^st ) and Associate Professor Norbert
Wildermuth from University of Roskilde. In Tanzania the team consists of
Dr. Datius Rweyemanu from Department. of Sociology and Anthropology,
University of Dar es Salaam and Professor Thomas Tufte, Principal
Investigator of MEDIeA, from Roskilde University, Denmark.

In addition to empirical research, the MEDIeA project comprises of
components of dissemination, capacity building and policy dialogue. The
MEDIeA research program is hosted by /ØRECOMM - Consortium for
Communication and Glocal Change /at Department of Communication,
Business and Information Technologies, Roskilde University, Denmark (for
further information see: http://mediea. ruc.dk ).

*Objectives of the PhD*

*It is the general objective of the announced PhD scholarship to
strengthen the overall research efforts of MEDI/e/A in Tanzania. The PhD
student is expected to provide *community based research which uncovers
the synergies and communication relations between everyday life, media
use, citizen engagement in social and political processes.

A key working hypothesis in this research proposal is that in the course
of the last many years' fight against HIV/AIDS, civil society
organisations have engaged and empowered local communities in ways
whereby processes empowerment and social change have been articulated.
It is MEDIeA's claim that this is a phenomenon seen across Africa, with
initiatives as the Straight Talk organisations in Uganda and Kenya, with
ADRA Malawi's communication initiatives, with N'weti in Mozambique, and
not least with the Soul City initiative in South Africa. FEMINA HIP is -
with 10 years of experience - one of these sustained initiatives which
have achieved societal impact, including at community level. It is the
aim of this Ph.D candidate to test this hypothesis. The question is what
exactly is going on at community level, and to which degree some of the
identified processes of empowerment and social change may have to do
with some of the FEMINA HIP initiated media and communication activities.

It is suggested that the study will primarily, but not exclusively,
explore the situation amongst young women. This is a priority given the
fact that young women constitute a particularly vulnerable population in
many African countries, including in Tanzania. Furthermore, women have
traditionally been close to invisible and non-participants in the
mediated public sphere and public debate on development issues.

In the process of seeking to identify processes of empowerment and
social change in the community and amongst young women in particular,
this study will necessarily include a grounded analysis of the strategic
communication approach employed by Femina at community level.
Deconstructing their communication strategy will be a fundamental
element of the study in order to establish possible synergies and links
- or the 'connectivity - between the Femina communication strategy and
community-based social change and governance processes. Both individual
and collective change processes should be assessed. It is further
suggested that the analysis will include issues such as identifying
forms of participation, notions of own role in local development,
connectivity to and opinions about local and other decision-makers.

*Methodology*

To explore the above hypothesis the methodology with be qualitative. The
study will inscribe itself into the tradition of media ethnographies,
where the relationship between mediated discourse and the social and
cultural practices of everyday life is explored. This will include
medium-term field studies in selected districts.

It is suggested to make use of research tools developed by international
organisations such as UNDP/OSG - the information and communication audit
tool - or possibly the methodologies developed by PANOS for similar
purposes. This should be further investigated.

Included in the PhD scholarship is 3 x three months study at Roskilde
University in Denmark, in 2010, 2011 and 2012. This is to have access to
literature review, working in an different academic environment and to
have access to the co-supervisor, Professor Thomas Tufte. On a daily
basis in Dar es Salaam, the supervisor will be Dr. Rweyemamu.

*Geographical focus areas*

Two-three districts will be selected to focus the in-depth study. The
selection will be based on a series of criteria, including: a) having
both rural and urban cases; b) long-term involvement by selected civil
society organization; c) areas where the selected organization has
strong collaboration with other NGOs and with CBOs, and d) areas where
the selected organization has collaboration with government authorities.

* *

*Who can apply?*

We invite applications from primarily Tanzanian citizens with an MA in
Social Sciences or Humanities and with experience in qualitative
empirical research, preferably in the field of qualitative reception
studies, media ethnography and/or participatory communication studies.
Applicants should be prepared to work extended periods in the rural
areas, in close and prolonged cooperation with the non-governmental and
community-based organisations selected as case studies by the MEDI/e/A
team of senior researchers. Applicants must be able to communicate in
Swahili, besides English, as well as demonstrate the necessary 'social'
abilities to do research based on a participant observation approach.
Finally, it would be beneficial if applicants also have experience with
survey-based, quantitative research designs

*Application procedure*

As the description for the Tanzania scholarship are already quite
elaborate, the applicants are expected to provide their own
theoretical- methodological reflection upon the initial outline as well
as suggesting and justifying a research design for the actual study.

The selection will be based on both the relevant experience of the
applicant and quality research proposal.

Successful candidates selected for interviews will be announced on 20^th
of March 2010. Interviews will be conducted on 24^th and 25^th of March
at University of Dar es Salaam. Final selection will be announced by
30^th of March.

* *

Please submit:

1. A research proposal of up to five pages. A proposal must have a link
with the two Tanzania projects as shown at http://mediea.ruc.dk

2. A curriculum vitae including list of publications, if any.

3. A writing sample/publication of 5-10.000 words

4. Certified copies of Official transcripts of undergraduate degree and
Master's degree

5. Two Reference letters

Please send your application including appendices in one single pdf file
to Dr. Datius Rweyemamu (datiusr@yahoo. com) at University of Dar es
Salaam, with copy to Thomas Tufte (ttufte@ruc.dk). Should you have
questions regarding the content of the proposal, please contact Dr.
Rweyemamu or Prof. Thomas Tufte (ttufte@ruc.dk).

Deadline for submission of applications: 14^th of March 2010.

--
Thomas Tufte, Professor
Bldg 42-3, Roskilde University, POB 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
Tel: (+45) 46743204 Fax: (+45) 46743075 Email: ttufte@ruc.dk
http://www.ruc.dk/komm/Ansatte/vip/ttufte/

Principal Investigator of MEDIeA 2009-2013 (Media Empowerment & Democracy in East Africa)
Further info at: Ørecomm, Consortium for Communication & Glocal Change http://orecomm. net

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