2018 Brookings Institution Echidna Global Scholar Programme

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As part of the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution, the Center for Universal Education develops and disseminates effective solutions for quality education and skills development.  It offers a forum for research, high-level dialogue, and public debate on a range of issues relevant to education, with a particular focus on the developing world.  CUE envisions a world where all children and youth have the skills they need to succeed in the 21^stcentury, and plays a critical role in influencing the development of policy related to global education and promotes actionable strategies for governments, civil society and private enterprise.

 

The center seeks to build the evidence base on girls’ education policies and programs in developing countries.  The Echidna Global Scholars Program is designed to offer guest scholars the opportunity to pursue their own independent research on global education issues with a specific focus on girls’ education.  Echidna Global Scholars will also be supported in developing or implementing a project in which findings from the research are piloted.   The Echidna Global Scholars Program fits within CUE’s broader efforts, which seeks to catalyze and sustain collaborative action to achieve quality education for all, and helps to build the leadership pipeline for girls’ education around the world.

Responsibilities

Once selected by CUE to participate in the program, Echidna Global Scholars will be expected to  dedicate time to collecting data for their research in their home country, in preparation for their period of residency at Brookings in Washington DC.  During their residency from early June 2019 to mid-October 2019 at the Brookings Institution, Echidna Global Scholars will work with the center staff on developing their specific research project and a strategy for policy impact.  They will also participate in professional development training and networking opportunities.  Echidna Global Scholars will draw on the resources of other Brookings’ scholars, as well as the extended public policy community in Washington, D.C. by participating in additional meetings and conferences, and networking with the broader development community.  The program expects the Echidna Global Scholars to have the ability to interact with other Brookings scholars and the wider policy community, to conduct professional, in-depth research, and deliver spoken presentations in English.  and work on an extensive, cutting-edge written research product during their residency, as well as a post-residency project proposal with the intent to implement their research in their home country upon completion of the program.

Qualifications

Education /Experience Requirements:

The program selects professionals with substantial experience in and ties to developing countries, a demonstrated intent to return to a developing country after completing the period of residency at Brookings, and a passion and demonstrated commitment to girls’ education. Applicants should have a background in education, development, economics, or a related area, with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in either research/academia; non-government and civil society; government; or business.  Master’s degree required; Ph.D. or research background strongly preferred.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Strong analytical and writing skills. Successful applicants will have an intimate understanding of education development issues and gender.

Additional Information:

Applicants who have not worked explicitly on girls’ education previously are welcome to apply, but should include an explanation of how this focus on girls’ education can be integrated successfully into their current and future work.

Echidna Global Scholars’ research topics must be focused on education priorities for girls, as they are relevant in their specific contexts. This can include “second generation” priorities, like: 1) ensuring that girls can attend and complete primary and secondary school; 2) making schools safer and more secure; 3) improving the quality of learning for girls; 4) supporting girls’ transition to higher education and employment; and 5) cultivating local country leaders to champion this work at the grassroots level. Topics on the intergenerational effects of girls’ education, innovations in early childhood that are relevant for girls’ education, girls’ education in conflict settings, or quality education for indigenous and/or minority girls. Echidna Global Scholars are also encouraged to include areas of research focused on girls’ skills development. Other girls’ education issues lacking evidence are also welcome.

Benefits: Please note that this position is a short-term full-time resident fellowship at Brookings (it is not an employee position). Applicants selected for the fellowship will receive a living stipend of USD $5,000 a month (subject to U.S. tax withholding and reporting), paid single-occupancy housing for the four-and-a-half-month term, and round-trip travel expenses, and a limited health insurance plan.

Program Requirements: Echidna Global Scholars must be available for a full-time, on-site affiliation with the Brookings Institution for the entire duration of the residency of the program as well as a pre-arrival data collection phase of research prior to their arrival.  Soon after selection, Echidna Global Scholars are required to conduct research on a topic approved by Christina Kwauk, Fellow and lead of the Girl’s Education team at CUE. Scholars will  present their research papers at a Brookings hosted day-long conference at the end of the residency.  Each Scholar is expected to be an active participant in Brookings and CUE activities, including, but not limited to, regularly-scheduled organizational staff meetings, informal discussions, seminars, presentations, and other CUE and Brookings events.  

Term of Program: The research project must take place during a 7-8-month timeline; data collection must be completed by the scholar at home prior to the start of the residency at Brookings. Analysis and writing must be completed during the residency. The residency will begin on or around June 3, 2019 and end on October 18, 2019. Scholars must also participate in the leadership development program throughout the program, including pre-residency components. Scholars may be invited to apply for seed funding to implement their research findings in a pilot program after the residency. Please note that the timeframe of this program will not be changed.

Interview Process: Interviews will include an initial phone screen, program and panel interviews via phone and/or Skype calls with CUE leadership.  For those chosen as finalists, there will be an on-site final interview with a CUE staff member in the finalists’ home countries, to determine potential impact of the finalists’ proposed research.

How to Apply: 

1. Submit a cover letter that explains your goals and intent for the program, along with your curriculum vitae or resume which will include a list of your publications, and fellowships, honors, awards, funded research, or  foundation support that you have received. Please attach curriculum vitae or resume and cover letter as one document when you apply, as instructed.


2. When prompted, attach answers to Questionnaire, in the Writing Sample section. Click  here to access document


3. When prompted, attach Research Project Proposal, in the Writing  Sample section. Click here  to access document

*Documents must be saved with a format of Last Name, First Name and document name (for example: Doe_Jane_CV).Note that letter of recommendations, writing samples and transcripts are NOT required. Please upload Questionnaire and Research Project Proposal in the Writing Sample section.

4. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates selected for interviews may be asked to submit additional materials. Incomplete applications, and any applications received after the deadline will not be considered. If you require visa sponsorship to participate in this fellowship program, your English proficiency will be verified via an objective assessment as required by the U.S. Department of State.

Timing and Application Deadlines:

• Application deadline: October 1, 2018


• Tentative Residency Term: June 3, 2019- October 18, 2019