PhD Scholarship in the Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation
Islamic Religiosity and the Challenge of Political Engagement and National Belonging in Multicultural Western Cities
Closing date: 31 May 2013
Deakin University’s strategic research Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation (CCG) is looking for an outstanding scholar for a full-time PhD scholarship to work on a project funded by an Australian Research Council grant investigating the role of Islamic religious beliefs, values, rituals and faith-based community participation in shaping political engagement and belonging in three multicultural cities (see Project Summary below). The applicant will be a full team member of a large multi-disciplinary team. The successful applicant will work with Professor Fethi Mansouri, Dr Michele Lobo and Professor Bryan Turner. Applicants with disciplinary backgrounds in humanities or the social sciences, in particular geography, cultural studies and sociology are encouraged to apply. The award is to commence in 2013.
Benefits and conditions
- Living allowance (scholarship) of $28,728 per annum.
- Paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.
- Research funding for publishing of up to $1,000 per annum.
- Faculty of Arts and Education funding of up to $1,000 per year assistance to present at a conference and $3,000 once in candidacy to present at an international conference.
- ARC Discovery funding of transcription and local fieldwork costs.
Eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements and hold an Honours (First Class) degree, research Masters degree or equivalent.
- The scholarship is only open to Australian or New Zealand citizens, or Australian permanent residents.
- Applicants must have prior research experience in urban geographies of difference, sociology of religion, Muslim diaspora, multiculturalism, racism, or cultural diversity.
- Applicants must have familiarity with contemporary social theories of difference.
- Strong skills and experience in qualitative research methods and/or in-depth interviewing are required.
- Applicants must have experience working with migrants and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD). Arabic or Dari language skills will be an added advantage.
- Applicants must have familiarity with methods of qualitative data analysis, such as coding or discourse analysis. The use of visual methodologies will be an added advantage.
- Familiarity with ENDNOTE and NVIVO would be an advantage.
- Applicants must be highly motivated, and be able to work in a multidisciplinary team.
To apply:
Submit the following information by email to Ms Cayla Edwards by 5pm Friday 31 May 2013 (Email: cayla.edwards@deakin.edu.au)
1. A one page expression of interest outlining the disciplinary, theoretical, methodological and practical expertise and experience you will bring to the research project.
2. A CV containing the following information:
- Personal details (name, address, email and phone contact)
- Citizenship
- Your tertiary (university) qualifications.
- Evidence of current studies (if applicable)
- Evidence of your research ability and qualifications to undertake a PhD, including where applicable:
- Original research, such as a thesis, dissertation or research project (not coursework essays or assignments).
- Research methods subjects/units completed.
- Any research experience you may have had in your employment. You should outline what actual research you have done and what new knowledge was produced.
- Your research publications, such as in refereed journals, conferences papers, books with original research, research reports in industry.
- Scholarships or awards received, including where and when you received the award
- Names, position and telephone contacts for two referees who can comment on your research ability. If your application is successful, referees will be asked submit a written reference that is returned directly to the university.
3. A scanned copy of the following documents:
- Proof of citizenship: For Australian or New Zealand citizens, a birth certificate, relevant pages of passport, or citizenship certificate. For Australian permanent residents, relevant pages of passport showing visa or letter from the Department of Immigration.
- Academic record: Transcripts of all of your tertiary education studies. These should indicate the name of the qualification, the institution of enrolment, the years of study, the subjects/units undertaken, the grades achieved and explanatory notes concerning the grades.
NOTE: If you have previously been enrolled in a higher degree by research at another institution or are applying to transfer your research degree from another institution, you also need to provide proof of your commencement date and evidence of any intermissions or changes of candidature (eg. from full-time to part-time)
Please read the scholarship terms and conditions (131 KB) of award.
ARC Discovery Project summary
This project will examine the role of Islamic religious beliefs, values, rituals and faith-based community participation in shaping political engagement and belonging in three multicultural cities - Melbourne, Paris and Detroit. It will contribute to political debates and improved policy outcomes on the accommodation of ethno-religious diversity, national identity, global security and cultural integration.
- The project’s focus on religiosity from a performative perspective, rather than the more conventional normative approach, will therefore make a significant contribution to studies of religious minorities in western multicultural cities. Within this framework, the key aims of this project will be to:
- Identify, describe and analyse forms of participation in Islamic rituals and faith-based cultural activities among Muslims in selected Western cities.
- Investigate the extent to which Islamic beliefs, values, and faith-based participation contribute to local and national belonging.
- Analyse how spiritual and cultural religiosity among practising Muslims impedes or provides possibilities for political engagement.
Contact details for the project:
Professor Fethi Mansouri: fethi.mansouri@deakin.edu.au or ph: 03 92443914
Dr Michele Lobo: michele.lobo@deakin.edu.au or ph: 03 924 43872
