Next Generation Social Sciences

Program Model

The Next Generation Social Sciences model supports the intellectual development of early career faculty members who have yet to complete their PhD and invests in activities that will provide them with enhanced research capabilities, greater credentials, and an international network of researchers.

The model employs a two-pronged approach to build individual capabilities and institutional capacity:

Fellowships

Three distinct competitive fellowship opportunities are offered. These fellowships provide financial support at three different crucial but precarious stages during the doctoral dissertation process: proposal development, dissertation research, and the completion of the dissertation. These are presented as a sequence, allowing fellows who have successfully completed one stage to apply for the next.

Workshops

Skill-building workshops held at a local partner university twice each year are tailored to the specific needs of fellows according to their respective stages of study. These workshops strengthen research capabilities, help researchers develop publications, and allow fellows to engage in an international research community. Distinguished senior researchers from the region serve as workshop leaders and mentor fellows over the course of the year.

Supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York, currently the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Program supports faculty from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. In these countries, the program fosters research specifically engaging peace, security, and development issues from new and diverse perspectives.

My fellowship made it possible for me to concentrate on reading materials instead of spending time to make sufficient money to get those materials (which could take six months or more to save).”

– Proposal Development Fellow

As a junior lecturer with a heavy workload, I found it impossible to devote sufficient time to reading and research. For over a year I did not make significant progress on my dissertation largely due to constraints of time and inadequate funds. The notification of my award came as good news at a time when I was desperately in need of a break to focus on research.”

– Research Fellow

This fellowship has been extremely important in my progress completing my doctoral dissertation. Without it, it is extremely likely that completing my dissertation may have taken another year at the very least. The primary way in which the fellowship has aided me is allowing me to hire replacements to relieve my teaching responsibilities at my department. This has meant nine months without teaching.”

– Completion Fellow

The workshop was eye opening. Mentorship has been lacking for me.”

– Completion Fellow