Background

With funding from the Gerda Henkel Foundation of Dusseldorf Germany, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University seeks to admit 10 students for the 2024 intake leading to the award of a PhD in the fields of Humanities and Social Sciences of Makerere University. Historical Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences include but are not limited to a cluster of subjects (disciplines) that study human society with a particular sensitivity to the shifting historical contexts over time with various kinds of evidence to support analyses of what informs and shapes the changes and the implications of such changes in human society. Therefore, preference will be accorded to projects that approach the study of the Humanities and Social Sciences in the following fields:

1. The Classics, namely Literature, Philosophy, Epic, and Drama,
2. Prehistory/Early History of Africa
3. Archaeology
4. Modern African History
5. Sociology
6. Anthropology
7. Language and Linguistics
8. Creative Arts in Africa
9. Religion in Africa
10. Political theory
11. Gender Studies

General Requirements

Research experience in the Humanities and Social Sciences at a University or a Research Institute and a strong foundation in writing and research methods is desirable. The applicant should have excellent oral and written communication skills. This is a PhD by research; therefore, applicants should demonstrate capacity for independent work. They should also have excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.  

Eligibility

Eligible candidates should:

1. Be Ugandan nationals or nationals of a sub-Saharan African country (attach a biodata page of your passport or National Identity Card to your application).
2. Hold Master’s degree in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences discipline,for which s/he has applied for from a recognised university.
3. Hold an honours undergraduate degree in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences from a recognised university related to the specialisation s/he is applying for (for example, if you are applying for a PhD is Sociology, you must have offered Sociology at undergraduate level). 
4. Be fluent or show proof of fluency in English Language. Applicants whose working knowledge in English is limited will be required to undergo intensive language lessons at the College’s Language Centre.
5. Provide two reference letters from two academic referees who are familiar with his/her work. Note: the referees named on the applicant’s application form should be the ones to supply reference letter.
6. Confirm that s/he will be available from September 2024 to undertake a three-year full-time study at Makerere University. Upon admission, s/he will be required to show proof of a study leave from their employer.
7. Provide the address and contact (email and phone number) of next of kin.
8. Be under the age of 40 years (male) or 45 years (female) by 30 September 2024. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
9. Attach copies of their MA and Undergraduate Transcripts and Certificates that are duly certified either by the awarding institution or the respective national accreditation body.

Funding

The programme is fully funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation and is tenable at Makerere University. The scholarship will cover all costs of PhD training listed below.

1. Tuition
2. Stipend
3. Medical insurance
4. Laptop computer
5. Books
6. Travel to take up the fellowship for non-Ugandan fellows.
7. Conference attendance
8. Fieldwork

Timeline

This is a-three-year programme, which begins in September 2024 and ends in June 2027 as shown below.

1. September 2024 to March 2025: Proposal Development
2. April 2025 to September 2026: Fieldwork
3. October 2026 to September 2027: Dissertation Writing

Upon admission, the Fellows will receive a detailed almanac that will detail the timelines and their respective outputs.

How to apply

Completed application form (saved in word: as your surname underscore application e.g., Nyerere Application) with supporting documents (PDF format) must be submitted by Friday, March 29, 2024, to:

The Principal,
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062
Kampala

Email: graduate.college.chuss@mak.ac.ug, copy graduate.college.chuss@gmail.com

For Further Information

In case of any questions regarding the programme or your application, kindly contact the following:

1. Dr Edgar Nabutanyi (Programme Coordinator)

Email: edgar.nabutanyi@mak.ac.ug

2. Dr Levis Mugumya (Programme Administrator)

Email: levis.mugumya@mak.ac.ug 

3. Ms Esther Namitala

Email: namitalaesther@gmail.com

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