Call for Applications : African Social Research Initiative (ASRI) Summer Scholars Program

The African Social Research Initiative (ASRI) at the University of Michigan seeks applications for up to three visiting scholars to attend courses in social science research methods and analysis at the University of Michigan in June-August, 2015.  The program is open to academic researchers who are enrolled in or have completed Ph.D. programs in the last five years in the social sciences, who are from Africa, and who are nominated by faculty from UM or one of our current institutional partners in Africa (see list at

http://www.ii.umich.edu/asc/initiatives/africansocialresearchinitiativeasri/asricommitteemembers_ci

During their time in Ann Arbor, visiting scholars will attend courses offered by two internationally renowned summer training programs at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research (ISR).  Applicants who are invited to attend the summer programs may select several options from amongst the four or eight week sessions that are offered.  ISR’s Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/sumprog/) offers basic and advanced training in the methods and techniques of social science research and analysis. ISR’s Survey Research Center (http://si.isr.umich.edu/) offers graduate training in all phases of survey research, from research design and sample selection through analysis of results. 

Applications are due on or before March 6, 2015.

Applications should include:

• The applicant’s CV
• A description of the applicant’s research interests, not to exceed two pages in length
• A brief description of the applicant’s research and analytical training and experience, a list of specific summer institute courses that the applicant would be interested in, and would benefit from attending (see course lists at http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/content/sumprog/courses.html and http://si.isr.umich.edu/2014schedule), and verification that the applicant meets the prerequisites for the listed courses
• A one-page description as to how the opportunity is expected to further the applicant’s research and career

ASRI requires a letter of nomination from a member of the ASRI international steering committee or from a faculty member at one of ASRI’s partner institutions.

Please email materials and any questions to: ASRI-SummerScholars@umich.edu

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and the applicants notified as to the outcome by April 1, 2015.   

Priority will be given to scholars in the ASRI substantive focal areas of labor and economics; governance and politics; public health; gender, ethnic and racial inequality; and survey research methodology.  Participants who have either existing or prospective plans for collaboration with ASRI researchers based in the University of Michigan or internationally.

Persons selected as ASRI Visiting Scholars for 2015 will receive administrative assistance in obtaining travel visas.  They will also be provided a round-trip flight to Ann Arbor, housing, health insurance, travel visa expenses, and a contribution toward living expenses.   Participants will receive a workstation and computer at the University in an appropriate department, access to University libraries, and receive assistance with enrolling in courses in summer training programs at the Institute for Social Research.

They are expected to make a research presentation to a local academic audience and will be encouraged to participate in the intellectual life of the University of Michigan.

About the African Social Research Initiative