Three (3) PhD Positions on politics of disaster in cases where disaster happens in conflict situation, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands (2015-2016)

The Institute of Social Studies in The Hague (part of Erasmus University Rotterdam) invites applications for three fully funded PhD positions commencing in January 2016. The positions will be part of the research project entitled ‘When disasters meet conflict. Disaster response of humanitarian aid and local state and non-state institutions in different conflict scenarios’. This programme is funded by the Netherlands Research Council NWO under the VICI scheme, which was awarded to Professor Dorothea Hilhorst for a period of five years starting in October 2015.

Short description of the project

Every year, there are some 400 disasters triggered by natural hazards, mostly in developing countries. A large number of these strike in countries affected by conflict, and there is evidence that conflict aggravates disaster and that, vice versa, disaster may intensify conflict. The research addresses the question: ‘How do state and non-state actors and humanitarian agencies respond to disasters in different conflict-affected situations, and how does this affect the institutional power, legitimacy and relations of these actors?’

The research builds on the premise that the nexus of disaster and conflict and the responses of international and country-based actors largely depend on the type of conflict situation where the disaster occurs. The core of this research consists of an international survey and PhD studies in three types of political and institutional instability. The studies comprise a series of qualitative case studies using the analytical method of focused comparison.

The research has a high relevance for policy and practice. Disaster policies assume that governments lead in disaster response, and we know little of what happens when this is not the case. The research will generate insights to improve responses in cases where disaster meets conflict.

The PhD research

The three PhD researchers in this research project will each focus on one of the types of conflict scenarios distinguished in the proposal:
- High intensity conflict, such as the famine in Somalia in 2011. This PhD project will be done in collaboration with Globalisation Studies Groningen.
- Low intensity conflict, such as the earthquake in the disputed Khasmir region at the border of Pakistan and India in 2005
- Post-conflict, such as the earthquake in Haiti of 2010

The first year will be devoted to preparation of the detailed proposal and the selection of 3 case studies for the PhD. In the second and third year of the project, the candidate will spend three times 4 months of fieldwork in three selected case study countries.

The final years will be used for the completion of the dissertation that will be based on journal articles. Throughout the project, much attention will be given to research uptake and interaction with policy and practice of aid and governance in disaster/ conflict situations.

Requirements
Successful candidates have:
- An MSc or MA in a development-related field, preferably with a specialization in disasters and/ or conflicts.
- Proven affinity with qualitative research methodologies
- A pro-active personality and proven ability to adapt to challenging research conditions
- Experience in working for or with policy actors and practitioners
- Fluency in English and preferably command of the French language

Further details:
http://www.academictransfer.com