Opportunity Available: Textbook Junior Researchers

The Roma Education Fund is seeking eight (8) junior researchers to participate in the six-month professional and research development program managed by the Council of Europe, Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research and the Roma Education Fund.

The Roma Education Fund is seeking eight (8) junior researchers to participate in the six-month professional and research development program managed by the Council of Europe, Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research and the Roma Education Fund.

Roma Education Fund, Georg Eckert Institute and Council of Europe are in the final stages of a three-year research project titled “The Representation of Roma in European Curricula and Textbooks.” The overall goal of the project is to analyze the representation of Roma in school curricula and textbooks currently used in secondary education.

In the final stage of the project, the partner organizations provide an opportunity for individual development for young professionals and researchers working in the field of education and related topics. The junior researchers will develop skills in textbook research methods and discourse analysis, as well as basic advocacy skills through workshops and hands-on exercise. 

We encourage junior academics and individuals working in research centers and or in Roma non-governmental organizations to apply to this opportunity. Building the research skills of junior academics and/or young professionals is the main goal. With the experience and knowledge gained during the program, the junior researchers will eventually increase the capacity and the expertise in their own organizations.

Description of the Project

The project has the overall goal to analyze the representation of Roma in European secondary school curricula and textbooks.  The Georg Eckert Institute (GEI), the Council of Europe (CoE), and the Roma Education Fund (REF) partnered to complete the first phase of the research from 31 October to December 2016.  In the first phase, country reports provided information on Roma being mentioned in national secondary curricula. Further, an analysis of the curricular excerpts provided an evaluation on how Roma are mentioned.

In the second phase GEI completed and analysis of textbooks in a select group of countries and disciplines. The analysis of the textbooks in these countries was completed by the end of 2017.

This last phase of the project will complete the textbook analysis for all selected countries and disciplines. Junior Researchers will complete the textbook research for one or multiple countries depending on official language of the country and language proficiencies. Each junior researcher will conduct their research on one or two countries from the following list:

• Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Serbia and Montenegro
• Bulgaria and “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
• Czech Republic and Slovakia
• Hungary
• Moldova
• Albania and Kosovo[1]
• Poland

Goals of the Junior Research Fellowship

The design of the Junior Research Fellowship has a multidimensional purpose

1. Train and build capacity of young professionals and academics in curricula and textbooks research methods
2. Practice the research methodology within a concrete research project together with senior researchers
3. Provide an overview on European education policies and the representation of Roma in secondary curricula and textbooks. Cross-ethnic/culture perspectives on the research topic, analysis of the data, and development of the findings.
4. Equip the junior researchers with advocacy skills for possible future participation in curricula and textbooks reforms/revisions

Structure of the Fellowship

Text Book Research and Discourse Analysis Methods Workshop

Junior Research Fellows will attend a one-week training on textbook research and discourse analysis methods at the Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research in Brunswick, Germany.

Practical Experience in Textbook Research

Junior researchers will spend one week at the GEI textbook library in Brunswick, Germany applying the textbook research skills they have acquired the previous week.

Post training and data collection at the GEI, junior researchers will continue to use their skills in textbook research to compile, organize, and develop a report of their findings.

Data Analysis Workshop Practical Experience in Discourse Analysis

Junior Researchers will attend a week-long workshop in Budapest, Hungary. The first three days will be dedicated to conducting analysis of the data and findings in a group setting. At the end of the workshop junior researcher will develop a report.

Policy Advocacy Workshop

During the last 2 days of the workshop in Budapest, Hungary, Junior Researchers will attend an advocacy training delivered by experts who combine research and advocacy. The focus of the workshop is to provide them with basic skills in advocacy and insight on how to use their research results for policy change.

Practical Exercise within the Policy Advocacy Workshop

Junior researchers will apply their skills in a guided workshop aiming at developing a generic policy advocacy plan.

After the six months program, and according to their involvement and performance, the researchers might have the opportunity to be involved in follow-up activities related to curricula and textbooks revisions in specific countries.

Responsibilities and Deliverables

1. Attending the two workshops (one week each) at GEI in Brunswick, Germany
2. Attending the one-week workshop in Budapest, Hungary
3. Submission of the report for each assigned country textbook detailing the research findings
4. Submission of the discourse analysis paper
5. Submission of a policy advocacy plan

Stipend

• 1500 EUR stipend for the six months
• It is required for junior researchers to complete all responsibilities and deliverables mentioned above to receive the stipend 

Eligibility criteria

Only applicants who best meet the following criteria will be considered for shortlisting.

Qualifications:

• Completion or in process of completing a MA or PhD in one of the relevant subjects, such as education, political science, social science, history, gender studies, development studies.
• Previous experience in working with quantitative and qualitative research methods;
• Ability to collect analyze and process data.

Experience

• Currently employed in an organization, ongoing studies, or member of an academic/research center or institute in the field relevant to the research topic.
• Knowledge of minority education and Roma studies will be an advantage.

Language requirements

• Excellent knowledge of one of the official languages of the countries covered by the project;
• Very good knowledge of English (written and spoken);

Nationality

• Nationality of one of the 47 Council of Europe member states.

Age

• Under 65 years of age at the closing date of the vacancy notice.

General

• Ability to work in a multicultural team in various contexts
• Candidates recipients of Roma Education Fund Scholarships are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Complete application includes:

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Statement of interest which includes at least 2 references

Applications must be made in English and must be submitted at the latest by 18^th of May, 2018 at the address: recruitment@romaeducationfund.org

Applications will be examined with regard to the requirements of this call and applicants will be informed in due course of the outcome of your application. Preselected candidates may be invited to take written tests before an interview. Written tests may be eliminatory.