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With apologies for cross-postings ... ************************************************************************ ** Fully Funded ESRC CASE PhD Studentship Fair Trade and Community Empowerment: the case of sugar producers in Malawi School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Traidcraft Applications are invited for a three-year fully funded ESRC CASE PhD Studentship starting in October 2006, which includes full payment of fees and a maintenance grant. The student will be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology with Dr Alex Hughes and Dr Kate Manzo and will have close links with the collaborative partner, Traidcraft. The aim of this PhD project is to evaluate the impact of fair trade on both the empowerment of producers and community development. This will deepen empirical evidence concerning the developmental outcomes of fair trade at sites of production. More broadly, the aim also is to contribute to debates in the social sciences on the changing nature of alternative economic spaces, the governance of trade and community development. The research will focus on fair trade sugar suppliers in Malawi. The demand for fair trade sugar is rising rapidly, and fair trade represents a significant opportunity for sugar producers to overcome some of the considerable challenges of intense competition and an oppressive global regulatory architecture in this sector. At the same time, Malawi stands as one of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a significant proportion of its population experiencing chronic food insecurity. A key assumption underlying this research is that if fair trade is going to make a significant difference to the empowerment of producer communities, then it is likely to be most apparent in the otherwise intensely competitive trade in sugar and in the context of poor rural communities in Malawi. The specific focus of inquiry will be upon a group of sugar producers in the southern district of Chikwawa. The study will involve at least two fieldwork visits to Malawi of two to four months at the end of the first year and during the second year of research and will use assistance with translation. Applications are welcome from candidates with at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and a Masters degree from an ESRC-recognised postgraduate research training programme (or equivalent training) in a relevant social science discipline such as Geography, Development Studies, Sociology or Politics. It is also desirable for the applicant to have experience of overseas field study or development work. Informal enquiries about this studentship to Dr Alex Hughes ([log in to unmask]; telephone: 0191 222 6359). To apply, please send the application form (available from http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/pgapplication.pdf) together with a CV and a letter outlining your interests in the studentship and relevant experience to: Margaret Hill, Admissions Administrator, Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate School, 7th Floor, Daysh Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU. Alternatively, applications using the same documentation may be submitted on-line via: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/applicationforms.phtml . The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 24th April, 2006. ******************************************************************** Dr Alex Hughes Lecturer in Geography School of Geography, Politics and Sociology University of Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 6359 Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 5421 E-mail: [log in to unmask]