(Bursaries for M.Ed. Studies)

The Rhodes University Environmental SARChI Chair in Global Change and Social Learning Systems, based in the Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC)  is offering two Masters level bursaries for full-time studies in Environmental Education in 2019/20, in an ongoing research programme involving the researching of transformative social learning in contexts related to sustainability, food and water systems (with emphasis on the food-water-climate-land nexus) and/or citizen sciences (with emphasis on water quality and/or biodiversity).  Scholars interested in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (ICT technologies to mediate transformative learning) are also welcome to apply.

Background to the research: Environment and Sustainability concerns shaped by global changes are complex and often contested. People (children, adults, community members, university scholars, teachers etc.) engaging with these issues need to learn to deal with accelerating change, increasing complexity, contested knowledge claims and inevitable uncertainty. It is no longer viable to think about education as being a reproductive social practice only. Instead we have to think about education and learning as a transformative social practice. This calls for work on transformative, and indeed more transgressive forms of learning.  Such learning must contribute to changes in social practices and society. Examples of such practices are food production amongst smallholder farmers, or citizen sciences water quality monitoring or use of ICT tools for enabling learning and change.   

Masters bursaries to the value of R70 000 per annum for two years for full time studies or up to R35 000 for part time studies are available. Additionally funds of up to R20 000 are available for fieldwork costs. While exceptions may be possible in the case of highly deserving candidates, applicants should ideally:

• hold an Honours Degree (or equivalent NQF level 8 qualification);
• have a strong interest and/or background in environmental sustainability, social justice, capacity building and transformative social learning;
• have a strong academic track record and show potential to cope with the challenges of postgraduate studies (at least 65% average at Honours level);
• have well-developed social skills;
• have experience of working with qualitative and/or quantitative data;
• be able to live full time in Grahamstown for the duration of the two year scholarship
• be able to travel for study and research purposes during 2019 and 2020.

Applicants should complete the Rhodes University Masters application form PLUS a motivation letter (around two pages) and CV demonstrating how they meet the above requirements. Direct specific research-related questions to the SARChI Chair:  Distinguished Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka (h.lotz-sisitka@ru.ac.za). Submit your application on the Rhodes Online system.

Last Modified: Thu, 13 Dec 2018 13:05:57 SAST