AWEI Bursaries Available
12 Oct 2021
MSc/PhD ‘Wildlife Economy Project’ Bursaries
One MSc bursary and one PhD bursary are available from the African Wildlife Economy Institute at Stellenbosch University. The bursaries are available for commencement of studies in 2022. The successful applicants will take up positions as Research Fellow in the Institute.
The value of the MSc bursary is ZAR90,000 per annum and is tenable for 24 months. The value of the PhD bursary is ZAR150,000 per annum and is tenable for 36 months.
Project background
The African Wildlife Economy Institute undertakes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research to enhance the governance and operations of wildlife economies across Africa. Its major areas of research are:
(1) Enabling environment for the wildlife economy;
(2) Ethics and principles in the wildlife economy; and
(3) Effective wildlife economy operations.
See below for a list of possible research projects.
Application requirements
The bursaries are open to Africa-wide applications. Prosepective candidates need to hold a 4-year undergraduate degree in a relevant field with at least 65% marks to be eligible for the MSc bursary; or need to hold a MSc degree in a relevant field to be eligible for the PhD bursary.
Interested candidates should submit a CV and a research concept note (max 500 words) that outlines a proposed area of research related to the list of possible topics. Prospective PhD candidates will be asked for a more detailed research proposal.
Closing dates
31 October 2021 for the 2022 MSc bursary (31 October 2022 for the 2023 MSc bursary) and anytime for the PhD bursary
Please apply via email to Dr J Baum, AWEI Programmes Manager: jbaum@sun.ac.za.
AWEI postgraduate research opportunities
1. Enabling environment for the wildlife economy
- Analytic comparison of policy effectiveness across countries
- A gap analysis across countries looking into which policies are lacking and need to be developed
- A policy development exercise, e.g., building a framework for policy development to promote wildlife economies through sustainable use
- Legal analysis of wildlife property rights and how they enable or hinder the wildlife economy across a number of African countries
- Analytic comparison of industry standards for a sectoral subset of sustainable use across African countries with recommendations for enhancement and continent-wide adoption
- Gap analysis across countries or sectors looking into which standards might be useful, based on a theoretical model for the use of industry standards in promoting sustainability
- Development of a proposed industry standard incorporating SDG-related objectives for a sector or sub-sector within the wildlife economy
- Analysis of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in international trade in African wildlife economy products and proposals for overcoming them
- Intercontinental and intra-regional trade in wildlife goods and services in Africa: Options for future growth
2. Ethics and principles in the wildlife economy
- Attitudinal analysis of different stakeholder groups – e.g., consumers, industry stakeholders, government officials – across sub-sectors/value chains or across several countries to better understand the influence of social norms etc. on the uptake of wildlife products
- Assessment of the role of sustainability principles – e.g., transparency, equity, and inclusivity – that enable or hinder demand for wildlife economy goods and services by sector or in countries
- Developing a model for raising awareness of and increasing demand for (specific) wildlife goods and services
- Assessment and comparison of the ‘languages’ and ‘concepts’ used by different actors and stakeholders in wildlife economies, overcoming differences to create a roadmap for a common vision – across Africa or for sub-sectors
3. Effective wildlife economy operations
- Marketing analysis – Building the demand side for wildlife products
- Developing a branding strategy for a sub-sector/ value chain to induce the update of a wildlife economy approach
- Developing and applying a model for value chain analysis, including identifying and maximising sustainable and inclusive opportunities within wildlife value chains
- Identifying and applying suitable indicators for assessing the benefits/success of wildlife economies in SDG terms
- Analysis of one comprehensive multi-stakeholder wildlife economy in its application – i.e., a case study
No authors to show
We support the free flow of information. Please share:
More content
-
African Rhino Conservation - Interacting Influences
Michael ’t Sas-Rolfes…Conserving terrestrial megafauna presents distinct challenges to policymakers. Despite decades of evolving regulatory measures, wild rhinoceros populations remain...
2024Research -
World Oceans Day: Awakening Africa’s Blue Economy
Dr Francis VorhiesThe theme of World Oceans Day 2024 on 8 June is “Awaken New Depths”. A key topic is the…
Articles -
AWEI Updates May 2024
Ms Emily TaylorAs the Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI) continues to grow and expand its reach, we have decided to produce…
Articles -
AWEI's role in the Biodiversity Plan for Life on Earth
Dr Francis Vorhies22 May 2024
Through a landscape approach to the development of Africa’s wildlife economy, we are part of…
Articles -
Importance of private and communal lands to sustainable conservation of Africa's rhinoceroses
Dr Hayley Clements…A new path for rhinoceros (rhino) conservation is needed... We aggregated African rhino population data, highlighting the growing...
2023Research -
Sustainable Use: A Contentious Promise
Ms Mara GlasA Case Study on International Funding of Consumptive Sustainable Wildlife Use in South Africa's Biodiversity Economy In South...
2022Research -
Collaborative governance models of wild product value chains for conservation and livelihood resilience
Mr Thapelo Brilliant LebopaSustainable utilisation of wild products, such as non-timber forest products, wild meat, and medicinal plants, requires governance models…Articles -
SA’s new biodiversity strategy is a key move away from colonial fortress conservation
Prof Brian Child…It was disappointing to read an article in Daily Maverick that sought to “ring alarm bells” about a…
Articles -
Ensuring the use of wild species benefits people
Dr Francis Vorhies…Observed annually on 3 March, World Wildlife Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate the diverse range of wild…Articles
Get updates by email
Through impactful research, stakeholder engagement, and professional development, AWEI is supporting the wildlife economy across Africa. Please subscribe for occasional updates on our work and forthcoming events.
Sign up for a quarterly dose of AWEI insights
In a complex and changing world, AWEI generates strategic ideas, conducts independent analysis on wildlife economies, and collaborates with global scholar-practitioners to provide training and expertise for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and inclusive economic opportunities in Africa.