| | | Higher education news Darfuri students in Khartoum under attack for their ethnicity There has been an escalation in violence against Darfuri students in the capital of Sudan, Khartoum, since the end of April, 2015. Civil war continues in Darfur, where the Sudanese government and rebel groups have been fighting for twelve years. The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) is spreading a message of racism and incitement to violence against Darfurians, especially through the party's student militias. The result has been the imprisonment of more than 200 Darfuri students in the last month. "Darfuri students are in hiding, afraid they'll be arrested if they go to their universities", explains Ahmed Hussain Adam, a Cornell University expert on African Development. For more information, click here [Guardian]. Egyptian scholar sentenced to death for dissenting from the military regime Emad El-Din Shahin is a well-known Egyptian scholar of Political Islam, who has taught at many prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Notre Dame (France) and the American University in Cairo. He writes this article from Georgetown University in Washington D.C., where he fled to escape persecution in Egypt. Professor Shahin was accused by the military regime of "conspiring to undermine Egypt's national security" in January 2014. He received threatening visitors at his house in Cairo and decided to flee. Last month, Shahin, listed as 'Defendant 33' was sentenced to death in absentia, along with former President Morsi and many Muslim Brotherhood members. Professor Shahin, although initially sympathetic towards the Muslim Brotherhood, was not an affiliate and had distanced himself from their views. Professor Shahin claims the charges against him are false. He states that the current government is circulating a dishonourable campaign against him and is seeking to "monopolise power and eliminate all voices of dissent". He is a strong critic of the military regime, exposing to the international community its brutality, corruption and undemocratic rule. For more information, click here [The Atlantic]. A Safe Schools Declaration has been signed by 37 countries to stop education from being a war target On the 29th May, a Safe Schools Conference took place in Oslo, organised by the Norwegian government. 60 countries participated, of which 37 signed a ground-breaking declaration to protect education during conflicts, to assign 'protected status' to students and staff, and to commit to avoid school buildings being converted into barracks or used for military purposes. The Declaration is a response to the recent growth in terrorist attacks on schools and universities, such killings at Garissa University College in Kenya, perpetrated by Al-Shabaab, and the Taliban atrocities in Peshawar, Pakistan last year. Schools are also caught in conflict: in Colombia, a 7-year old kid died after stepping on a landmine in her schoolyard on the 20th May. The Director of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), of which CARA is vice-chair, stated at the Conference that "targeted attacks on education are robbing a generation of the chance to realise their potential, with a huge long-term social cost". The Declaration commits the signatories to record assaults, support affected pupils in their educational journey and requests the prosecution of deliberate attacks as violations of international law. For more information, click here [BBC News] and here [Norwegian Refugee Council]. University bodies' response to PhD loans consultation A possibility of government-funded loans towards PhD courses was announced earlier this year, during the Chancellor's Budget. The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills opened an online consultation to assess opinion on the loan's usefulness. The consultation, which closed on the 29th of May, showed a predominantly negative response to PhD loans by university bodies: the Royal Society, among others, expressed concerns that loans would lead to a decrease of "the average quality of postgraduate research students". The introduction of loans may lead to a decrease in scholarships. Graduates could also have an adverse reaction to loans, especially if they had accumulated debts during their previous studies. The Institute of Physics states that they would lead to an "opposite effect on demand", with students having to self-fund more of their living costs. Other bodies, like the GuildHE and the University Alliance of Post-92 Universities have a more positive outlook on PhD loans, highlighting their importance in widening PhD enrolment, increasing competitiveness and improving quality levels. For more information, click here [THE]. The effects of the Arab Spring on Science: a comparative outlook on Tunisia, Egypt and Syria Five years after the Arab Spring, what impact did the revolution have on the scientific and academic environment? The article takes into consideration the fates of Tunisia, Egypt and Syria. Whereas the political situations in each of the three countries greatly differs from the others, science has not made much progress in any of the states. While Tunisia is experiencing a "successful transition to democracy" but not many changes in the research and higher-education systems, Egypt has seen a deterioration of researchers' and scientists' conditions since the military coup in 2013. Syria's uprising turned into civil war, making it almost impossible for researchers and universities to operate. For more information, click here [Nature]. | |
Refugee Week Events (15-21 June 2015) | 
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Numerous events are taking place all over the UK. Here is a selection for each region. Visit http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/Events for a comprehensive list. Scotland Open Arms – A celebration of Nigeria's Igbo Culture
When: 14th of June, 2015 16.00 – 18.30
Where: Aspire Centre, 135 Wellington Street, Glasgow, G2 2XD North West Connected families – An exhibition of images and films discussing refugee families
When: 15th of June, 2015, from 17.00 to 21.00
Where: Twenty Twenty Two, 20 Dale St, Manchester M1 1EZ Refugee Week BBQ – Liverpool
When: 16th of June, 2015, from 12.30 to 16.00
Where: Asylum Link Merseyside, St Anne's Centre, Liverpool, L7 3HJ North East Information Stall with Live Music – Citywide Support Group Event
When: 17th of June, 2015, from 9.00 to 15.30
Where: Grainger Market, Grainger St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8XS Yorkshire & the Humberside Back where you came from: reflections on migration by people seeking sanctuary in Sheffield
When: from the 15th to the 27th of June, 2015 10.00-18.00
Where: The Gallery @ 35 Chapel Walk, Chapel Walk, Sheffield, S1 2PD Interpreting Workshop
When: 17th of June, 2015 10.00 – 12.00
Where: One Community Centre, Cromwell Street, Leeds, LS9 7SG East Midlands World Food Night
When: 16th of June, 2015 18.00 – 20.00
Where: Thomas Helwys Baptist Church, Church St, Lenton, Nottingham, NG7 1SJ Asylum Journeys – Experiences from Eritrea and Syria
When: 19th of June, 2015 18.00 – 19.30
Where: Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service, 7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FB West Midlands Refugee Week – Share your thoughts
When: from the 8th to the 14th of June 10.00 – 17.00
Where: Concourse, Keele University, Keele, Newcastle Under Lyme, ST5 5BG Wolverhampton 'Meet and Mingle' – An opportunity to meet and talk to asylum seekers and refugees
When: 15th of June, 2015 19.00 – 21.00
Where: The Light House, Chubb Buildings, Fryer St, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT East of England Refugee Art Exhibition
When: 15th to 19th of June, 2015 9.00
Where: Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2BX Screening of 'Welcome' (2009) and Q&A
When: 18th of June, 2015 18.00
Where: Cinema City, St Andrews St, Norwich, NR2 4AD London Asylum Monologues – Theatre Performance
When: 15th of June, 2015 18.30 – 21.00
Where: Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2PT Sanctuary for Syrian Refugees – Discussion of Safe Routes for Syrian Refugees
When: 16th of June, 2015 19.30 – 21.30
Where: SOAS, Thornhaugh St, London WC1H 0XG The Refugee Council at the University of East London – Archives and Special Collections Open Day
When: 16th of June, 2015 11.00 – 18.00
Where: University of East London, Docklands Campus Library Archive, Room DL.G.02, University Way, London E16 2RD Wales Refugee Week Wales Safer Spaces in Wales Festival
When: 13th of June, 2015 12.00-17.00
Where: The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, The Kingsway, Newport, NP20 1HG South West 'Leave to Remain' Film Screening
When: 16th of June, 2015 19.00 – 21.00
Where: Jill Craigie Cinema, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA Celebrating Sanctuary – Free international feast of food, dance and music
When: 14th of June, 2015 13.00 – 18.30
Where: Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4QS South and South East 'Refugees are welcome' Sponsored Walk
When: 20th of June, 2015 10.00
Where: Oxford Castle, New Road, Oxford, OX1 Northern Ireland Celebrate Healthcare Rights
When: 15th of June, 2015 16.00 – 17.30
Where: Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NH | |
Other events 
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Asylum testimonies in Oxford When: 19th of June, 2015 19.30
Where: Asian Cultural Centre, far end of Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1GH The Campaign to Close Campsfield hosts the Ice and Fire Theatre Company performing Asylum Testimonies, from interviews with asylum seekers. This event is free. No need to book. To find out more, click here. Annual Conference – Supporting Refugee and Migrant Women When: 19th of June, 2015 19.30 Where: Asian Cultural Centre, far end of Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1GH This event, organised by Evelyn Oldfield is for refugee community organisations and mainstream group representatives (women only). This conference has been set up to bring together refugee and migrant community groups with mainstream women's projects. Using this time, reflection on the past year of the project/ the sector will be considered as well as considering what next with the goal of supporting vulnerable refugee and migrant women. Presentations from the following will be given:
• Refugee women's organisations—research and reflection
• Donna Covey, Director Against Violence and Abuse on developments in the VAW sector
• Rupinder Parhar-Eaves on supporting those without resource to public funds. These presentation will be followed by practical workshops.
To find out more and to register, click here. For further information, contact Sarah Menzies by email sarah@evelynoldfield.co.uk or call 020 7697 4102. | |
Funding opportunities | 
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Research Studentship – Abertay University, Dundee Deadline: 22nd of June, 2015 Abertay University and the Scottish Funding Council and are offering a fully funded Applied Collaborative Research doctoral studentship in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities. The project is titled 'Connecting Performance and Play: Establishing interdisciplinary design methods for the development of games and performance'. The candidate should have a first class or upper second-class honours degree in a relevant discipline such as games or interactive media design or performing arts. The studentship will commence in September 2015 for a period of up to 3 years. Further details on this project can be obtained from Professor Gregor White: g.white@abertay.ac.uk and here. PhD Studentship in Industrial strength eco-evolution: artificial selection of microbial communities – University of Essex Deadline: 25th of June, 2015 The use of complex communities represents the next frontier in microbial biotechnology, including in the production of biofuel from algae. Ecological and evolutionary theory can inform efforts conducted to assemble such useful communities from domesticated strains and to isolate new communities from wild environments. A PhD Studentship will be available October 2015 to research the factors that influence the efficiency of selection at different levels of biological organization with Dr. Etienne Low-Décarie and with the co-supervision of Dr Corinne Whitby in the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Essex. This is fully-funded 3-year PhD Studentship providing UK/EU tuition fees and a generous stipend. Non UK/EU students would receive tuition, but would require independent funding of stipend. For more information about the opportunity, click here. Big Data PhD Studentship – University of Kent Deadline: 22nd of June, 2015 The Data Research Centre for Business and Local Government (DRCBLG) has been established to lead the way in using advanced data analytics to help local authorities explore data, enhance knowledge and empower their communities. The Centre is a collaboration between the Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and LSE, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. The project will focus on activity intended to support people at times of vulnerability and/or prevent further adversity, across the lifespan. The focus is on the following areas:
• Early intervention and prevention
• Monitoring and evaluation of policy changes
• The market for care and local authority procurement
• Productivity and local variations
• Integration of health and social care For information about the application process, eligibility and terms please click here. 16 PhD Studentships with Industrial Top-up - EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Innovative Metal Processing (IMPaCT) – University of Leicester Deadline: 30th of June, 2015 IMPaCT was created to train future leaders who are able to fully exploit and deploy innovative metal processing techniques in industry. It brings together world-class metals research teams from the universities of Leicester, Birmingham and Nottingham along with 14 industrial and international partners. The studentships are for a 4-year integrated training programme. In the first year you undertake a range of Masters level training modules covering technical and transferable skills, involving all three universities and take work experience with our industrial partners. In the following three years, you will carry out research for a PhD in a particular topic, using appropriate research facilities in the three universities and spending time working with your industrial partners. For more information, please click here. | |
Employment opportunities 
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Research Associate – University of Bath Deadline: 21st of June, 2015 The School of Management seeks to recruit a Research Associate for a project funded by Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting opportunity for applying analytical methods and techniques to a range of real-life problems with the aim of achieving tangible impacts. The research associate will share her/his time between the main campus of the University of Bath and Yeovil District Hospital in Yeovil, Somerset. The successful candidate will join the recently established, vibrant and fast growing research centre, the Bath Centre for Healthcare Innovation & Improvement (CHI2) and will: 1. Have a Master's degree and a PhD with a strong quantitative/analytical focus and in a relevant area such as operational research, management science, mathematical modelling, health economics, or health services research.
2. Have working knowledge of a number of analytical techniques and be able to quickly learn others. Example techniques include but are not limited to multiple linear and logistic regression, forecasting, optimisation, discrete-event simulation and system dynamics.
3. Have previous experience of working in some area of health care (hospital operations, quality improvement, public health etc.) and a willingness to develop quickly working knowledge in different areas of hospital operations.
4. Be very comfortable with communicating with healthcare professionals and be in a position to spend time at both sites (University of Bath and Yeovil District Hospital) on a weekly basis. This is a fixed-term post for 24 months at first instance and commencing on 1 September 2015, or as soon as possible after that date. For further information and an informal discussion about the role, please click here and contact Dr Christos Vasilakis – c.vasilakis@bath.ac.uk. Research Associate – Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Cardiff University Deadline: 23rd of June, 2015 The project will investigate immune processes in individuals who are relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes but have not developed disease. The successful candidate should be highly motivated and will join the basic science research team comprising of 6 post-doctoral research scientists, 2 PhD students, and a research technician researching different aspects of pathogenesis and pre-clinical therapeutic strategies for type 1 diabetes. Training and experience in immunology is essential and experience in human immunology research would be helpful. The team meet in a weekly laboratory scientific meeting and there are opportunities to attend seminars and lectures in immunology and other disciplines within the Medical School. This is a full time position of 35 hours per week and is fixed-term until 31st December 2016 but please note that applicants who are interested in working on a part time or job share basis will also be considered. Salary: £31,342 - £37,394 per annum (pro rata) (Grade 6) – It is anticipated that the maximum starting salary will be point 30, £31,342 (pro rata) per annum. For more information, please click here and view the opportunity 3358BR. Research Assistant in Solid Mechanics – University of Bristol Deadline: 12th of July, 2015 Interview date: end of July 2015 Candidates are invited to apply to the Department of Mechanical Engineering for a post-doctoral Research Assistant for a recently awarded EPSRC project on the durability of hard coatings applied to high value rail components in railways. The purpose of the research at Bristol is to understand the generation of residual stress in the coating and the influence of the residual stress on the life of the coating. You will be expected to have experience of residual stress measurement and a knowledge of finite element simulation of residual stress development. You will utilise the mechanical test facilities in Mechanical Engineering at Bristol, together with neutron and X-ray diffraction facilities in the UK. You will have a PhD in Engineering and an understanding of structural mechanics and experimental methods. You will also have a working knowledge of stress analysis, and/or residual stress measurement methods. This post is offered on a full time fixed term contract for 2 years. Salary: £31,342 to £35,256 More information can be found here. Informal enquiries can be made to: Professor Martyn Pavier, Professor in Mechanics of Materials Martyn.Pavier@bristol.ac.uk Vacancies at IMECE Women's Centre, London Closing date: 18th of June, 2015 Interview date: 22nd of June, 2015 IMECE Women's Centre is a user-led women only centre working to improve quality of life and empower Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee women (BAMER), in particular women of Turkish, Kurdish and Turkish Cypriot (TKTC) origins who live in London. They are recruiting for the following positions: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Service Manager
Salary: £29,900
Fixed-term position until 31st of March 2017 Advice Worker
£25,770 – pro rata for 14 hours per week
Fixed post until 31st of March 2016 Educator Advocate
£23,337 – pro rata for 14 hours per week
Fixed post until 31st of March 2016 (with a possibility of extension) Volunteers All the posts are open to women only. To request an application pack, send an e-mail to recruitment@imece.org.uk. For job descriptions and more details, click here. Family Support Worker (Part-time) – South London Refugee Association Closing date: 15th of June, 2015 Interview date: 24th of June, 2015 SLRA is seeking an energetic, person-centred practitioner to join our dedicated team as a part-time family support worker. You will have experience of working in an enabling way with families including work with families experiencing hardship and disadvantage. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships and clearly communicate complex information are essential. For more information, contact Celia at 0208 646 6564 or click 'Get involved' here. Community Advocate – Kalayaan, London Deadline: 9.30am 15th of June, 2015 Interview date: 23rd of June, 2015 Kalayaan is a small London based charity which works to provide practical advice and support to, as well as campaign with and for, the rights of migrant domestic workers in the UK. The selected candidate would provide advice on immigration and employment issues, identify and support victims of trafficking for domestic servitude and organise and manage the provision of English classes. Salary: £29,000 gross p.a. + 5% pension contribution For more information on how to apply, click here. Bridging London Project Manager – Young Roots, London Deadline: 22nd of June, 2015 Interview date: 1st of July, 2015 in Croydon Young Roots is recruiting for a Bridging London Project Manager to manage our work in London, whilst the current Project Manager is on maternity leave. This role involves facilitating participation groups and peer support schemes. The project manager coordinates and leads monthly Saturday trips during term time. The project manager supports project coordinators run term-time youth groups and school holiday activities. The project manager line manages part-time project coordinators (3 days per week) and is responsible for the recruitment and induction of project workers, interns, volunteers and session workers. The project manager leads on monitoring and evaluation, reporting to funders, and securing ongoing funds for our work. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours/5 days per week) with salary of £32,294 per annum. For more information, please click here. | |
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