Politics & Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Under the auspices of the South African Research Chair for Mobility & the Politics of Difference, the African Centre for Migration & Society at Wits University seeks applications for two post-doctoral fellows. Fellows will be appointed for a period of one to two years beginning as early as January 2019. Compensation is at the maximum allowable under South African tax code. Descriptions follow:

This fellow will conduct innovative explorations of human mobility’s role in transforming modes of social engagement, authority, and political subjectifications in sub-Saharan cities. The ACMS particularly welcomes critical scholars from across the social sciences or humanities engaged at the intersection of space and time. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary team of scholars aiming to reshape global social theory and academic conversations on mobility, cities and political authority and ethics. Such work is intended to open new scholarly frontiers while informing and enhancing sub-Saharan Africa’s visibility in both academic and policy debates. With a home base in Johannesburg, scholars will be encouraged to develop and participate in projects across the region.

Working closely with the UN special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, this fellow will consider and theorise the legal regulation of ‘otherness.’ Incorporating questions of immigration, ethnicity, religion, and other axes of difference, the project is intended to consider the role of law in shaping citizenship and subjectivities. Although intended to inform practical anti-discrimination efforts, the successful applicant will also speak to broader socio-legal theory. The precise subject is undetermined but should consider the nature of law and its real and potential role in shaping the future of Africa’s diverse and mobile societies in an era of populism and securitization.

Application Procedure:

• Scholars from under-represented communities are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications should include a cover letter, a CV, the names of three academic or professional references, and a sample of relevant scholarly writing of between 4,000-10,000 words.