2014-15 Affiliated Fellowship Application Information: Making Scarce Water Work for All

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a leading global research university– ranked 43d worldwide in the 2013  Shanghai Jiao Tong rankings and  47th worldwide in  the London Times Higher Education Supplement’s  World University Rankings for 2013-2014–is pleased to announce the second year of the Affiliated Fellow Program at the University’s Global Research Institute (GRI).  The GRI is an applied- knowledge think tank grappling with the most pressing issues facing the world in the twenty-first century.  Through the program, a limited number of fellowships will be offered to scholars and practitioners working on research projects relating to the theme Making Scarce Water Work for All, the GRI’s research emphasis in 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and continuing into 2014-2015.  While the program is open to all, it should prove particularly appealing to applicants on sabbatical leave or with grant support, as no living stipend is available.

UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the world’s leading centers for water research, and Affiliated Fellows at the GRI in 2014-15 will have the opportunity to connect with leading water experts at UNC- Chapel Hill–people such as Jamie Bartram, Mark Sobsey, Pete Kolsky, and Larry  Band,  to name just a few– both in individual schools and departments and in multidisciplinary units such as the Institute for the Environment and The Water Institute.  Through seminars, workshops, and other networking opportunities, GRI Affiliated Fellows, together with the UNC-Chapel Hill “water community,” will work to develop a better understanding of the critical global challenges of managing water availability and quality, and spark new ideas for sound solutions.

The university has declared a campus-wide focus on water during academic years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015–“Water In Our World” —and concerted efforts are being made by schools and departments across disciplines to integrate water into the curriculum, providing a robust center for water activity and interest at UNC-Chapel Hill.

In addition to the opportunity of working in person with leading UNC faculty, and participating in UNC-Chapel Hill’s renowned water and health conference, the fellowship provides:

• travel monies to/from Chapel Hill
• office space including printing facilities in the FedEx Global Education Center
• full administrative support
• use of campus resources such as the library system (with option to apply for a study) and recreation center
• access to Area Studies Centers and Global Centers at UNC
• opportunities to attend hundreds of public lectures and events on campus

Chapel Hill as a community also provides:

• a free bus system
• a bicycle friendly community
• many cultural opportunities
• easy access to Duke University (10 miles away) and North Carolina State University (25 miles away), the other academic “points” that create the Triangle

Affiliated Fellowships are available for one or two semesters (applicants on a quarter system can be accommodated).  Applicants are invited to provide a curriculum vitae; a research proposal of no more than 1500 words outlining the project that will be undertaken during the fellowship term; and the names of three references (with contact information).  In the proposal applicants should be quite specific about the problem or problems they are addressing, the methods to be employed, any UNC-CH faculty members with whom they wish to collaborate, and the importance of the expected results.  All application materials should be sent in electronic form to:

Ms. Terry Tamari, GRI Coordinator

ttamari@unc.edu

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We shall begin reviewing applications on February 1, 2014, but will continue to accept them until April 1, 2014.