Call for Applications: International Writing Workshops (Funded by the British Academy)

Researching and Writing: The role of non-state actors in the global governance of the environment and socio-economic development

Call for Applications:

We are inviting applications from South African based early career researchers (ECRs), with a focus on African agency and the role of non-state actors in shaping global governance, to participate in a research and writing workshop series. The workshop series, which includes 2 in-person workshop at the University of Johannesburg and 2 on-line workshops, takes place over the course of two years (2025-2027). It offers ECRs a platform to develop their research, writing and networking skills through the preparation of a research paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The purpose of the workshops is to enhance African ECR’s career prospects, and further research output from Africa. The workshops will include presentations, group discussions, and interactive exercises. In addition to the workshops, one-to-one mentoring will be provided throughout the course of the two years to support skills development in writing, publication, understanding external research grant capture, and enhancing the visibility and impact of research.

The workshop series is undertaken by the partner institutions of Nottingham Trent University, UK (NTU) and the SARChI Chair: African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, University of Johannesburg (UJ), and funded by the British Academy. Participants will be guided in developing their own research project on the theme of African non-state actors and global governance, linked to the SDGs and considering the environment and socio-economic development.

The specific goals of the workshops are:

Support participants in developing and managing a research project for publication in international peer-review journals.
Equip participants with skills in undertaking their research project, including writing skills, understanding research methods, grant capture, and preparing for publication.
Provide one-to-one mentor sessions with experienced academic researchers in developing your research outputs.
Enhance opportunities for networking and collaboration with academics, peers, journal editors, and policy stakeholders over the course of two years.

Criteria for Applications:

Be within 4 years of achieving your PhD,
Be based in South Africa,
Have a demonstratable research focus on international relations with an interest in the role of environmental and socio-economic development non-state actors shaping global governance,
Show capacity to translate research into excellent research outputs,
Demonstrate an understanding of the link between your planned research and the SDGs,
Show commitment to a programme of work including workshops, producing a research paper for publication, and mentorship meetings.

How to apply

We invite Early Career Researchers, who have completed their PhD in the past 4 years, to apply for one of 20 places on this workshop series. Applications should be completed on the following form https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xcLLiu3Ix0KBabpDig2-L3b-KgMbeElGmGxtYupUvkNURTVYN1lLSjROUFlZNTRTT0tZUVk0RTlZRC4u

To apply you will need the following:

A short CV (maximum 3 pages) with a 1 page cover letter indicating your interest in participating in the workshop series
An abstract (500 words max) outlining your proposed research project linked to the workshop theme (African non-state actors and global governance). This should indicate a research question, theory and methodological approach.
A writing sample of previous work (essay, blog, book review) submitted as a Word or PDF document.

We encourage applications from underrepresented sectors, including women and those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Applicants must submit their application by Friday 22 August 2025 (by 17:00 CAT).

Bursary for successful applicants

Successful applicants will be offered a bursary to cover participation at the in-person workshops (if based outside of Gauteng). This includes travel and accommodation for the 3-day workshop in 2025 and the 1.5-day workshop in 2026.

Summary of the indicative programme of the workshop series

Workshop 1: 29-31 October (University of Johannesburg)

Workshop 1: 29-31 October (University of Johannesburg)

Themes covered:

Getting Started in Research
Developing Your research Practice
The role of the literature and theory in framing your research
Understanding and applying methodology
Research Principle, ethics and gender in research
Drafting grant applications
Research project management
Preparing for publication

Activities include:

Drafting a research proposal
Developing Gantt charts
Navigating ethics and gender policies

Mentor Meeting Point 1 – November 2025 (1 hour meeting online)

Mentor meeting point 2 – December 2025 (1 hour meeting online)

Meet the Team

Contact details

If you have any queries, please contact the workshop leads:

Dr Lesley Masters: lesley.masters@ntu.ac.uk

Dr Lisa Otto: lisao@uj.ac.za

Call for Applications: International Writing Workshops (Funded by the British Academy)