ESCP: Building Capacity for Research and Academic Leadership

The Early Career Scholars Program is a 3-year research capacity building program funded by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation of New York, which compliments and/or deepens the training that is offered within departments at doctoral and post-doctoral levels in the College by building vibrant research teams working on topical themes in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences such as decolonization, globalization, intersectionality and democratization on the continent. The expected outcome from this intervention was the creation of a critical mass of a mentored new generation of researchers with international research partnerships and networks. It is also expected that this cohort will create a vibrant community of scholars at Makerere University in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The medium and long-term goal of the program was to strengthen capacity at CHUSS for scholars to acquire skills for developing innovative projects of their own choice, increase innovative thinking, nurture emerging leaders and create an intellectual community of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences scholars engaged in cutting edge research and scholarship. The program supports 15 Early Career Scholars to spend 2-4 months at a specialized residence either to conceptualize and review literature related to their studies, participate in specialized research training or write/reflect on their work. The scholars are also supported to publish their work in 2 special issues of Mawazo (the Journal for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences in the region). The program also supports local workshops /symposiums and attendance of international conferences as a way of building a community of engaged scholars in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. All the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure that the process of award was equitable, inclusive and transparent, and largely guided by the quality and merit of applicant.