Hobart Houghton Fellowship at Rhodes University for Young Upcoming and Established Researchers

Hobart Houghton Research Fellowship

Course(s) Offered: Development studies (social science, etc)

Course Level: Graduate (research)

Provider: Rhodes University

Country to Study in: South Africa

Scholarship Description
The Hobart Houghton Research Fellowship, named after Professor Desmond Hobart Houghton, promotes work relevant to the economic problems of the Eastern Cape, and which could contribute to the development of the region.

Funding for the establishment of the Fellowship has been provided by Hobart Houghton’s former students and associates and by the Liberty Life Educational Foundation.

Applications are invited for Hobart Houghton Fellowship for 2015.

Eligibility
Prospective Fellows should have had research experience, and hold at least a Masters degree in Economics or Agricultural Economics.

They should have a sound knowledge of economic analysis and be capable of independent, innovative work.

Candidates may either be established scholars (possibly on sabbatical leave) or young, promising economists.

Eligible groups
Citizens of any South Africa

Participating Institutions
Department of Economics and Economic History, Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), Rhodes University, Grahamstown; South Africa

Fields of study
Any course with a “relevance to the Eastern Cape”.

There is a strong tradition of research in the Department of Economics and Economic History. The current research of members of staff and graduate students reflects a wide range of interests including:

• agriculture and development; 
• the labour market; 
• health economics; 
• international trade and finance; 
• industrialisation; 
• economic development; 
• foreign investment; 
• economic history and 
• Southern African regional economic integration.

The criterion of “relevance to the Eastern Cape” is to be interpreted broadly. It may in some cases involve fieldwork within the Province, as for instance in a study of rural households or unemployment. In other cases, for example industrialisation in the region, the key to understanding might lie largely in developments at national and international levels.

In all cases the aim of the fellowship is to support fundamental research, yielding results which are of more than local or regional interest. The basic requirement is that the research deals with significant issues which are directly or indirectly relevant to the Eastern Cape.

Number of awards
Not specified

Sponsorship duration
The term of the Fellowship is flexible and renewable, and will be decided upon in conjunction with the circumstances of the successful applicant and the nature of the research and progress made.

In the past, the Fellowship has typically been awarded for one year. The current preference in the Department of Economics is to invite applicants for the Fellowship for shorter periods; for example four to six months during the second semester of the academic year.

Scholarship benefits
The Fellow will have an office in the Department. The University provides an excellent internet access.

The amount of the award will be determined on an annual basis. The typical package includes:

• Return direct economy class airfare from the Fellow's place of residence.
• University accommodation with electricity and water included.
• R5000.00 monthly cash stipend to supplement the Fellow's usual source of income, or if you are accompanied by a partner R7500.00 per month cash stipend.
• If the Fellow accepts the appointment for at least four months and is accompanied by a partner, the partner's return airfare will also be paid.

Limited funds will be available for travel and other research expenses.

The Fellow will be expected to reside in Grahamstown, and will be an honorary member of staff of the University for the duration of the Fellowship.

At the conclusion of the Fellowship, the Fellow will be required to present a full report on the work undertaken.

Rhodes University may reverse the right to publish any work accomplished during the Fellowship. If the Fellow publishes, there must be suitable acknowledgment of both the Fellowship and Rhodes University in any publications.

Method of Application
Applications (click here), which should include a full statement of research interest, should be submitted by 30 September of year of application to:

Professor Hugo Nel,
Department of Economics and Economic History
(tel: +27 (0) 46 603 8301,
fax: +27 (0) 46 6225210,
e-mail: h.nel@ru.ac.za).

Deadlines
Applications should be submitted by 30 September 2014

Please Note
The University reserves the right not to make an award.

Professor Desmond Hobart Houghton, who taught Economics at Rhodes and was director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University until 1973, made significant contributions to thinking about the economic problems of South Africa as a whole, but his particular concern, and the major focus of his research, was the problem of poverty and economic development in the Eastern Cape region.

Contact
Further enquiries can also be made to the Research Office (tel: +27 (0) 46 603 8055, fax: +27 (0) 46 622 8822, e-mail: research-admin@ru.ac.za).

Application Deadline: 30 September 2014

Open to International students: No (ONLY South Africans)