The Aegis Trust is pleased to launch a fourth call for proposals by Rwandan researchers, as part of its Research, Policy and Higher Education (RPHE) programme funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The programme supports Rwandan researchers to develop policy-relevant academic papers and associated policy briefs on a range of topics related to genocide prevention and peace building.

Aegis Trust encourages all interested Rwandans (or non-Rwandans collaborating with Rwandans) to apply. Proposals are sought for innovative and insightful research papers of between 7,000 and 10,000 words in English or French on the following themes:

  • Memory, identity and narrative
  • Reconciliation and social cohesion
  • Transitional Justice
  • Trauma and psychological/psycho-social issues
  • Gender dimensions of post-genocide recovery
  • Post-genocide economic development
  • Education, media and peacebuilding (with an emphasis on Peace education)

At least 9 proposals will receive funding. Each successful proposal will receive the Rwandan Francs equivalent of 2500 British pounds (before tax) to be used for researchers’ remuneration and other costs associated with conducting the research (£1750 will be paid upfront and £750 upon production of the outputs detailed below). The amount paid for each research paper will be the same, regardless of the number of co-authors.

Proposals must include a brief description (maximum 500 words) of the broad topic of the paper, the specific research question to be addressed, the research methods to be employed and the paper’s expected contribution to the existing literature. Applicants, including any co-authors, should also include a copy of their CV. Proposals may relate to ongoing projects (which are not yet in final stages) or new projects that require fresh research. Both categories will be paid at the same rate.

The deadline for submitting research proposals is Sunday 19th November 2017. Proposals or any queries should be sent to: researchpapers@aegistrust.org.rw. You are encouraged to submit your proposal through our online platform that seeks to increase knowledge among researchers, policy makers and practitioners – the Genocide Research Hub – using the application link.

Successful applicants will be expected to produce a draft paper by 1st September 2018 for inclusion in the Aegis online Working Paper series, a roughly 5-page Policy Brief highlighting the paper’s key findings by 15th September 2018, and evidence that the working paper has been submitted for publication in an academic journal or as a chapter in an edited volume. Successful applicants will contractually undertake to strictly comply with these deadlines.

Authors of shortlisted projects will be interviewed by end of November and a final selection made immediately after the interviews. Selected authors will start with their projects by 1 December 2017. An initial meeting of authors and advisors will take place in February 2018 where improved proposals covering authors’ theoretical frameworks will be presented. Other workshops will be organized subsequently to discuss full drafts and explore possibilities for publication.

Aegis Trust and Peace Education

The Aegis Trust is an international organisation working to prevent genocide. Through education, Aegis works to build long-term peace by encouraging communities to change from mindsets of mistrust and prejudice that lead to genocide, to a position of shared responsibility for peace and stability. Aegis conducts and encourages research about how genocide comes about to improve the practice of prevention. We work on places where genocide is a current threat, campaigning for decision-makers to engage with protection of those most at risk. Our advocacy involves taking the voices of those at risk to politicians, the media and the public. Aegis also finds ways to support survivors to rebuild their lives.

Launched in 2000, Aegis developed from the work of the UK Holocaust Centre and has offices in the UK and Rwanda, where it is has been responsible for the Kigali Genocide Memorial since it opened in 2004. Standing in the heart of Rwanda’s capital at a site where more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide are buried, it comprises exhibitions, memorial gardens, educational facilities and the Genocide Archive of Rwanda.

The concept of Peace Education is used by Aegis Trust to mean education that promotes social cohesion, positive values including pluralism and personal responsibility, empathy, critical thinking and action in order to build a more peaceful society or a society that does not use violence to resolve conflict. It also refers to the process of acquiring values and knowledge, and developing attitudes, skills and behaviour to live in harmony with oneself, with others and the natural environment.