Develop your research and leadership skills at a leading political institute, combining training, mentoring and the delivery of a personal research project.
Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a world-leading independent policy institute and a trusted forum for debate and dialogue. Based in London, for over 100 years our research and ideas have helped people understand a rapidly changing world. As a global think tank, our mission is to help governments and societies build a sustainable, safe, prosperous and just world. We pursue this mission through dialogue, analysis and the delivery of ideas based on solutions.
Now in our second century, Chatham House has an ambitious goal of preparing the next generation of thinkers to face the challenges of tomorrow.
Our Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership and the Next Generation, created in 2014 and inaugurated by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, develops future policymakers and drives positive change in world affairs by equipping future leaders with the knowledge, skills and networks to make a lasting and positive impact on international affairs.
The Academy's scholarships, integrated into our exclusive training programme and supported by our prestigious research teams, offer an excellent opportunity to:
- Develop essential leadership skills;
- Develop a research project at a world-leading political institute and;
- Connect to Chatham House's exclusive network of experts by participating in dialogues and debates to expand your understanding of critical international issues.
Academy Scholarships
In a joint initiative with Open Society University Network The Academy intends to host two fellows for a short-term fellowship of four months, from October 2024 to January 2025.
The scholarship offers candidates at the early and middle stages of their career the opportunity to spend four months at Chatham House working on a research programme and developing their leadership skills and subject knowledge.
Academy Fellows are professionals from diverse backgrounds, including government, research, academia, civil society, journalism, for example, who are at the beginning and middle of their careers and who are passionate about identifying evidence-based solutions to some of the world's most pressing international challenges. They are often experts in their individual fields and show exceptional promise as emerging leaders in their home countries, regions or even internationally.
Fellows are strongly encouraged to consider the mission, values and overall objectives of Chatham House, align their proposal with the work and focus of the research programmes listed, and develop research proposals that seek to contribute directly to the topics listed:
Digital Society Initiative
- The established models of governance and technology provision, especially in Western democracies, are under significant scrutiny. Although public regulation meets private design and implementation is under the spotlight, what concrete success stories from other parts of the world, featuring different approaches, could serve as alternative models? Examples could be digital public infrastructure programmes, new approaches to licensing or public procurement, or state capacity building exercises to design and implement technology for the public good.
- Technology is an essential component of contemporary democratic processes. In the face of rapidly changing information systems, which Global Majority case studies present innovative policy responses in the service of healthy digital commons? And are there lessons that can be translated to other states?
Global Economics and Finance Programme
- Is the dollar's dominance coming to an end? How can we measure changes in the distribution of global monetary power?
- How can the system of global economic governance be made more legitimate?
Global Health Programme
- Considerations for regional strategic stockpiling of medical countermeasures for health emergencies: strengthening supply chain resilience and self-sufficiency.
- Governance of pathogen research
- Examining the effectiveness of the flexibility of compulsory licence in the Travel Agreement - is it fit for purpose?
- How effective are laboratory systems in Africa? What are the gaps, redundancies and vulnerabilities and how can a regional approach help?
- Were the blockades really necessary and are they a good idea for next time?
International Security Programme
- How can the parallels between space and cyberspace in responsible state behaviour help to address shared challenges in both domains and ensure their safe and peaceful use?
- In light of evolving geopolitical challenges and emerging security threats, how should NATO adapt to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in maintaining regional and global security in the future?
- How can international legal frameworks and collaborative efforts be strengthened to ensure greater accountability for cybercriminal activities targeting critical national infrastructure, and what role do emerging technologies play in improving attribution and prosecution?
- How can European states adjust their deterrence messages to future threats without falling victim to a security dilemma?
Centre for Environment and Society
- How have current geopolitical changes affected the dynamics of global and national resources in terms of energy, food and critical materials? How can international governance frameworks reduce these risks and vulnerabilities?
- At a time of growing political tension and polarisation, what is the role of international collaboration and how can international governance be reinvigorated to continue responding to climate-related challenges?
Europa Programme
- What should a future European security architecture look like? What is the long-term and short-term impact of the war in Ukraine?
- How can democracy in Europe be deepened? What role can economic policy play in revitalising democracy in Europe?
- What is the future of industrial policy in Europe in the face of competition from China and the US? How should the UK relate to this?
Middle East and North Africa Programme
- Palestine - domestic and foreign policy
- Climate change in MENA - implications, policies, scope for regional co-operation
- Political economy and accountability, preferably in Libya and/or the Maghreb
- Artificial intelligence in MENA - governance and accountability, regional leadership
- China-MENA - nature of the relationship, implications for regional security and geopolitical competition
Russia and Eurasia Programme
- Developments in Russia's war against Ukraine
- The future of post-war Russia
- Reconstruction and social healing in Ukraine
- The effects of the war on the other 'surviving states' of Eurasian communism (what was once the Soviet Union)
- Social resilience in times of war and the reforms that contribute to it
UK in the World Programme
- The UK's scientific and technological capabilities, ambitions and potential role in global governance (particularly around AI developments)
- The UK's strategic relations with the "Global South", including the UK's role in the Indo-Pacific; UK-India; UK-China; UK-Community
- UK foreign policy and domestic prosperity/resilience - the "safe economy" idea that Labour is putting forward (drawing heavily on Biden's FP for middle class policy since taking office)
- How UK foreign policy impacts different devolved regions/nations and whether/how different UK regions/nations perceive/shape/influence UK foreign policy made in Westminster.
US and Americas programme
- How does your research address the broader international implications of America's changing global role?
Selection criteria
The successful candidate will:
- Be affiliated with an Open Society University Network (OSUN) institution;
- Have experience in carrying out independent research and hold an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification or have equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant field;
- Have relevant experience, including experience in the area of the proposed research, demonstrated through a CV;
- Have proven leadership experience or potential;
- Show commitment to Chatham House's mission, goals and values and to identifying evidence-based solutions to some of the world's most pressing international challenges;
- Be able to communicate how the scholarship will enable them to create a positive impact, in line with the mission of Chatham House and the overarching purpose of the Academy Scholarships, as described above;
- Show motivation to carry out the scholarship, fulfil all the outcomes of the scholarship and make the most of the networks, events and opportunities offered at Chatham House; and
- Demonstrate proficiency in spoken English.
Benefits
Academy Fellows receive a monthly grant of £2,365 towards living costs in London, including accommodation, utilities, food, transport and other basic expenses.
In addition, the Academy will cover reasonable costs related to:
- Moving (flights, train, etc. to/from the UK, three nights' accommodation, visas, extra suitcases/boxes, etc.)
- Payment of the UK Immigration Care Surcharge, which allows access to the UK National Health Service (Note: you may be asked to pay for dental and optical treatments and medicines prescribed by a doctor)
- Research, dissemination and outreach costs (fieldwork, travel, conferences, publications, round tables, events, etc.)
In addition, the fellows take part in the Academy's Leadership Programme, through which they have access:
- Workshops, seminars and events
- Media training
- Career coaching
- Writing support
- Networking opportunities, including with Chatham House staff, teachers and Academy alumni
- Membership of Chatham House on completion of scholarship
Contract: 4 months.
Location: Hybrid (office/home), minimum 2 days in the office per week, plus expected participation in the leadership programme sessions.
Closing date: 11am BST, Wednesday 15 May 2024. You will be notified of the status of your application within 4 weeks of the role closing.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch by emailing us at Academy@chathamhouse.org
Please note: we select candidates anonymously . We will not see your personal information before your application has progressed through the process. Please delete any personal or identifiable information in your application responses, including your personal statement.
The job description described above will not be available after the closing date. Make sure you keep a copy for your own records.Department: AcademiaLocation: LondonRemote status: Hybrid Remote
