Dear SCDTP Students, PGRs, and Supervisors,

As November unfolds, we’re pleased to bring you the latest edition of the SCDTP and Network Update. This week, we’ve gathered a mix of news and opportunities to keep you informed and engaged with what’s happening across the network. Explore each section using the links below, and we hope you enjoy this week’s update!

Dear Students,

We’re delighted to continue supporting community and wellbeing with our third meditation session of the academic year. Take a moment during the session tomorrow, Wednesday, from 1-2 pm, to relax and recharge. Whether you’re tuning in from your desk, or have room to sit, stand, or lie down, everyone is welcome. Join us for a calming pause in your day!

This session is virtual, and you can join via the Zoom link below:

• port-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/84126644540 
• ID: 84126644540

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Prof. Tamsin Bradley.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is excited to announce the latest call for applications to its Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) scheme. This opportunity is designed for those in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career, offering a chance to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, networks, and research and professional skills.

The PDF scheme is part of ESRC’s strategy to support early career researchers and is delivered through our national network of Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). Fellows must be aligned with an accredited DTP subject area and will benefit from a high-quality research and training environment.

We have yet to open the call for application on our website, below are the important dates for this year application:

• Application Open: 5 November 2025
• Application Deadline: 25 March 2025, 16:00 GMT
• Fellowship Start Date: 1 October 2025

For more details on how to apply and to access the latest forms and guidelines, please visit our website.

Join us for a special two day, three-part seminar series in Decoloniality Studies, part of the SCDTP’s visit to Mombasa, themed “What Does Decoloniality Mean in the Global South?”

This insightful program brings together experts to discuss decolonial approaches in social science research, with a focus on addressing inequalities and perspectives unique to the Global South.

First Day Theme: The History of Kenya and Mombasa

Date & Time: Monday, 11 November 2024, 12 pm to 2 pm GMT (3 pm to 5 pm Kenya time)
Location: Teams Link
Speaker: Dr. George Gona

About the Seminar:
Join Dr. George Gona, a Senior Lecturer in History and Archaeology at the University of Nairobi, for an illuminating seminar on the history of Kenya and Mombasa. Dr. Gona will provide insights into Kenya’s labor history, underground politics, and peace studies, bringing valuable context to our understanding of decoloniality in East Africa.

Second Day Theme: Applying a Decolonial Lens to Social Science Research 

Date & Time: Tuesday, 12 November 2024, 7:10 am to 8:30 am GMT (10:10 pm to 11:30 pm Kenya time)
Location: Teams Link

Speakers: Dr. Kathleen Anangwe & Dr. Katie Downie

About the Seminar:

Session 1 - Decoupling Inequalities of Place and Space and Mind for Sustainable Research

Time: 7:10am to 8:00 am GMT

Speaker: Dr. Kathleen Anangwe

Dr. Kathleen Ayako Anangwe is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies, and an adjunct at the Centre for Human Rights and Peace at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She is a Development Sociologist who analyzes the drivers and outcomes of social inequalities, especially those impacting women and vulnerable groups. Her research contextualizes African realities as contexts in which socially constructed systems and processes provide frameworks for human interaction and a Sociological imagination. Dr. Anangwe is published and consults for Faith-Based Organizations in informal settlements. She is a member of the International Sociological Association (ISA) and the Bioethics Society of Kenya. (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6124-2220)

Recommended Reading:

• Quality research in Africa matters more than ever – for the whole world (theconversation.com)
• Rethinking African Studies: Four Challenges and the Case for Comparative African Studies - Matthias Basedau, 2020 (sagepub.com)

Session 2: Reflections from the Field

Time: 8am to 8:30 am GMT

Speaker: Dr. Katie Downie

Dr. Katie Downie is an International Development Practitioner who lives and works in Kenya. She will share her reflections on the challenges facing communities, drawing on project examples and political economy analysis.

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of the SCDTP and Network Update. We hope the news and updates have been valuable and keep you connected to our vibrant community.

Your feedback is always welcome, and we encourage you to stay engaged with the opportunities ahead. If you have any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out at scdtp@soton.ac.uk.

Thank you for your continued engagement.

Best regards,

 The SCDTP Team.

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