Ph.D. Scholarship Opportunity: "Land Acquisitions and Rising Land Inequality in Uganda"

Ph.D. Scholarship Opportunity: "Land Acquisitions and Rising Land Inequality in Uganda"

                                                          

The Department of Development Studies announces two Ph.D. scholarship opportunities for candidates interested in r the broader research project area of "Land Acquisitions and Rising Land Inequality in Rural East Africa." This project, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation in Germany, is a collaboration between Kenyatta University, Kenya, the Thunen Institute, Germany, and Makerere University, Uganda. The scholarship offers a full-time PhD study opportunity at Makerere University Department of Development Studies. The scholarship covers tuition, functional fees, and stipend. The PhD must be completed within three (3) years.

 

Preamble

The aim of the joint project "Land Acquisitions and Rising Land Inequality in Rural East Africa" is to study how the concentration of wealth through land acquisitions in Kenya and Uganda, led by both international and domestic investors, affect land inequality and if not adequately addressed perpetuates the cycle of gender inequality and violence. In countries where agriculture is an essential source of livelihood, land is the main productive asset and therefore crucial for rural populations. Land inequality has long been recognized as a threat to inclusive and sustainable development. However, the role of growing outside interest in land and resulting land inequality is not well understood, despite a growing body of research on large-scale land acquisitions.

Thereby the project seeks to answer the following research questions:

• How has land inequality evolved across Uganda and Kenya against the background of land acquisitions in the context of weak regulatory land governance?
• What are the perceptions of land inequality in investment regions?
• How do investors who acquire land (re)produce wealth and contribute to different forms of inequalities such as ethnic, social, economic gender-based?

 

Eligibility Criteria:

 

1. A Master's degree in  Development Studies, Economics, Demography, statistics, Land Studies,  or a related discipline.
2. Strong background or interest in land economics, rural and regional development studies, or related fields.
3. Proficiency in mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) techniques is desirable.
4. Demonstrated research aptitude and commitment to addressing issues of land inequality and sustainable development.
5. Ugandan citizenship and residency preferred.

 

Application Process:

Interested candidates should prepare a single PDF document containing the following:

 

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting academic and professional achievements.
2. Research proposal (not exceeding 2 pages) outlining the objectives, methodology, and significance of the proposed research.
3. Copies of Master's degree certificate and transcripts.
4. Candidate's journal publications. For those without publications, please attach one chapter from your MSC/MA thesis.

Applications should be sent to: resty.naiga@mak.ac.ug with the subject line "Ph.D. Scholarship Application - Land Acquisitions and Rising Land Inequality."

 

Deadline for application submission: 10^th July 2024.

 

Interviews:

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be conducted on 15^th July 2024.

 

Selection Process:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews to further discuss their research proposals. Final selection will be based on academic merit, research potential, and alignment with the project's objectives.