Post-doctoral Research Fellow at British Institute in Eastern Africa

Context

The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) conducts, supports and facilitates innovative, world-leading, high-impact research across the humanities, social sciences, in Eastern Africa and across the African continent.

The BIEA’s research centre is located in Nairobi on Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa. Our administrative and research staff, led by Country Director Dr Damaris Parsitau, develop and coordinate a dynamic programme of in-preson and virtual events, and work with our broader research commumity and members to establish new collaborations and scientific investigations. We provide an exceptionally well-stocked library, research offices, administrative support and technical services and equipment, and provide knowledge sharing and funding opportunities for scholars at all stages of their careers.

Most research engagement focuses on one or more of our research themes, which at present include: Retelling the Past; Urban Lives; Changing Environments; Next Generations; and Epidemics, Pandemics and Epizootics. A selection of our recent research collaborations include the Refugee Led Research Hub with the University of Oxford; Mapping Africa’s Endangered Archaeological Sites and Monuments (MAEASaM) with the University of Cambridge; and Green Heritage with the National Corporation of Antiquities and Museums, Sudan.

The postholder will be part of an international research team led by Prof. Ayona Datta (PI), in University College London. This is a five year (2022-2026) European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant – funded project, “Regional Futures: The territorial politics of digitalization-as-urbanisation in the global south”.

The appointment will be from 1st January 2023, full-time and is funded for three years. This position has a probationary period in line with the policies of the BIEA.

Main purpose of the job

Reporting directly to Dr Gateri, the post holder will work as part of an international research team led by Prof. Ayona Datta on the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant-funded project, “Regional Futures: The territorial politics of digitalization-as-urbanisation in the global south”. With expertise across urban and digital geography in the global south, the post holder will work closely with team members to develop a programme of research on regional futures on the global south along three thematic foci: digitalising state, information infrastructures and territorial politics. Team members are located in Mumbai, Nairobi and Guadalajara, and the post-holder will be expected to work closely with team members and report regularly to Prof. Datta as project lead. Fluency in speaking and reading Kiswahili is essential. See the project website for further details: www.regionalfutures.org