REFUGEE STUDIES CENTRE
QUEEN ELIZABETH HOUSE
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
RSC RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP IN
INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
The Refugee Studies Centre
The Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) was founded in 1982 as part of the
University of Oxford=s International Development Centre at Queen Elizabeth
House. The Centre has three major objectives: to carry out
multidisciplinary research and teaching on the causes and consequences of
forced migration; to disseminate the results of its research to academics,
policy makers and practitioners in the field of forced migration; and to
understand the experience of forced migration from the point of view of
forced migrants themselves.
Research at the Centre is focused around four inter-related themes: asylum
from an international legal and political perspective; conflict and the
transition from war to peace, transnational communities and diasporas; and
development-induced displacement.
The RSC currently has eight researchers representing the following
disciplines: anthropology, sociology, political science, law and
psychology. Major donors include the Ford Foundation, the Andrew W Mellon
Foundation, the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Danida), UK
Department for International Development, the Dulverton Trust, the
Catherine T MacArthur Foundation, and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
In addition to research, the Centre offers a nine-month taught Master of
Studies degree course (MSt) in Forced Migration, which will be converted to
an MSc course in 2002. MPhil students in Development Studies may also
participate in parts of this course. The Centre also provides short
courses aimed at experienced practitioners and policy makers. These
include a three-week International Summer School, which brings together
agency and government personnel from around the world to reflect on and
share their experiences of the legal, political, psychological and social
dimensions of assistance to refugees and other forced migrants. In 2001 a
two-week regional Summer School will be held in Bangkok. Various weekend
courses are hosted at the Centre, including one on international law and
refugee status. The RSC's Visiting Fellowship Programme enables
experienced practitioners and academics to pursue individual writing and
research projects, to make use of the library and to share their
experiences with staff and students. Formal institutional links exist
between the RSC and universities in Africa, South and South East Asia,
Latin America and the Middle East, with the aim of strengthening research
and teaching capacity in the field of forced migration.
The RSC Library is the largest collection of its kind in the world. The
Digital Library and Forced Migration Portal projects, which are currently
being developed with funding from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation, will
allow dissemination via the internet and CD ROM of the Library=s extensive
and unique collection of unpublished literature. The RSC sponsors the
quarterly Journal of Refugee Studies (Oxford University Press). It also
publishes the Forced Migration Review which appears three times a year in
English, Spanish and Arabic, and is distributed to a wide international
network of policy makers and practitioners.
The advertised two-year position of Research Fellow in International
Refugee and Human Rights Law has been made possible by a grant from the
Ford Foundation, through Public Interest Projects, New York. The creation
of this post is in recognition of the vital role that international law
plays in the study and teaching of forced migration.
The RSC Research Fellowship in International Refugee and Human Rights Law
The RSC is now seeking applications for a two-year RSC Research Fellowship
to start on 1st October 2001.
Duties
The role of the RSC Research Fellow will be:
· To participate in lecturing to the MSt students on international human
rights and refugee law. This 8-unit course is currently being taught by Dr
Andrew Shacknove from the University of Oxford's Department of Continuing
Education. During 2001-2, the RSC Research Fellow will be expected to
contribute to this course, working in close collaboration with Dr
Shacknove. In the year 2002-3, the RSC Research Fellow will be expected to
have a major role, or possibly the leading role, in teaching this course.
· To share in supervision of MSt students, as well as other students
engaged in studying for MPhil or DPhil degrees in the field of forced
migration. Supervision of three MSt students would be the norm.
· To participate in the RSC Summer School and possibly also the Asia
Regional School.
· To participate in RSC research projects where a legal input is needed.
· To participate in RSC capacity-building activities with research
bodies in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This work might include visits
to the countries concerned and involvement in training and other
activities.
· To be involved in dialogue and collaboration between the RSC and
practitioners in the field of forced migration.
· To engage in personal research and prepare academic publications in
the field of forced migration studies.
Qualifications
The post requires a doctorate in law or a law related subject. An interest
in human rights, the legal issues arising from forced migration and the
application of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol are
essential. Knowledge of the operation of international asylum regimes is
desirable. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their interest through
publications or other appropriate work in this field and should be willing
to expand their knowledge and understanding of issues relating to forced
migration by conducting relevant research during the period of the
Fellowship.
Conditions of employment
This is a full time academic-related research grade 1A post (?16,775 ?
?25,213 p.a.) for two-years, starting on 1st October 2001. The
probationary period will be for 6 months with a mid-way review.
The post-holder is eligible for membership of the Universities
Superannuation Scheme (USS). Subject to the Statement of Pensions Policy,
which will be issued to the successful candidate, the appointee will be
deemed to be in membership of the above pension scheme until such time as
he or she gives notice in writing to exercise the right not to be a member
of the scheme.
The appointee will be entitled to 38 days of annual leave (this figure of
38 includes 8 public holidays). The actual distribution of annual
holidays, excluding the public holidays, is as detailed in the relevant
Staff Handbook. The University has a generous maternity leave scheme. It
operates two childcare nurseries. There is a waiting list, however, for
certain age groups but the University Childcare Officer is also able to
provide information about other childcare facilities in the local area.
The RSC Research Fellow will have office space at the RSC's offices in
Dartington House at 55 Little Clarendon Street. The Research Fellow may
make use of the social and dining facilities at Queen Elizabeth House.
Candidates wishing to discuss the post informally are welcome to contact
the Director of the RSC, Dr Stephen Castles (tel. 01865-270725 or via the
main RSC office, 01865-270722).
Applications, with a detailed curriculum vitae and covering letter setting
out how you meet the selection criteria, together with two samples of
written work on subjects related to international refugee and human rights
law, should reach the Administrator, Queen Elizabeth House, 21 St Giles,
Oxford OX1 3LA, not later than Friday 20th July 2001. Applicants should
include their daytime telephone number and the names and addresses of two
persons to whom reference may be made. The University will assume that it
is free to approach referees at any stage unless the candidate's
application stipulates otherwise (i.e. candidates who wish a referee or
referees to be approached only with their specific permission and/or if
they are being called for interview on the final short list or are in
receipt of a conditional offer, are asked to state such requirements
explicitly alongside their details of the relevant referee(s)). At least
one of those named as a referee should have direct experience of the
candidate's work, either as a manager or through a sustained period of
professional interaction, and ideally at least one should be a formal line
manager at the most recent employer. It would be helpful if candidates
could indicate the capacity in which their referees have gained knowledge
of their work. Interviews are planned for late July.
Policy Statement
The policy and practice of the University of Oxford require that entry into
employment with the University and progression within employment will be
determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are
related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary
structure. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of
staff will be treated less favourably than another because of his or her
sex, marital status, racial group, or disability. In all cases ability to
perform the job will be the primary consideration.
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