Call for Applications: Scientific Writing & Publishing Workshop For PHD Students And Early Career PostDoctoral Research

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and the Guild of European ResearchIntensive Universities launched twenty Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE) in the summer of 2023. These clusters are intended to address key societal and scientific challenges through scientific excellence and equitable partnerships, with each cluster having a long-term plan for research, education, and capacity building.  

The CoRE in Interdisciplinary Peace Research is co-led by King’s College London and Addis Ababa University and currently has about 15 institutional members. This includes Makerere University, University of Lagos, University of Ghana, University of Oslo, Ghent University, University of Nairobi, University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of Dar es Salaam, University of Warwick, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Radboud University.

The CoRE in Interdisciplinary Peace Research is organizing a workshop on Scientific Writing and Publishing from 29th June to 1st July in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop is modelled as a writing boot-camp. Participants will receive lectures on methodology and writing skills, have tailor-made one-on-one tutoring, and will be paired with others for peer-to-peer learning. There will also be a self-paced write-shop to refine existing articles or thesis towards publishable standards or to draft new ones for review and tailor-made feedback from a mentor.

To be eligible to participate in the workshop, applicants should fulfil one of the following requirements. (1) Should be enrolled in a PhD programme in the social sciences or peace and security studies and be registered as a PhD candidate at an African university; (2) an applicant can be an early-career postdoctoral researcher based at an African university, within three years of completion of their PhD; or (3) a prospective doctoral candidate who can provide a letter of support from a potential supervisor based at an African university.

Applicants must send the following documents by 11th May 2026 to tilahun.b@ipss-addis.org; ekaette.ikpe@kcl.ac.uk  and linganaden.2.murday@kcl.ac.uk:   

1.  A motivation letter highlighting how the applicant will benefit from the workshop.  

2.  Letter of admission to a PhD programme or evidence of graduation from a relevant PhD programme, in or after 2026.  

3.  A recommendation letter from a PhD supervisor or employer or a letter of recommendation from a potential supervisor based at an African university (for prospective doctoral candidates).  

4.  Brief curriculum vitae (two pages maximum), highlighting any publications.  

5.  For PhD candidates or early career postdoctoral researchers: a draft article or PhD chapter (maximum of 8,000 words, including references) that the applicant aims to work on and improve to publishable quality during the workshop – this can be a work in progress (not a literature review). If you have yet to enrol in a PhD programme, submit a draft exposé of your proposed PhD project.  

Successful applicants will be notified on Friday 15 May 2026.

Candidates must cover their travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. Meals will be provided by the workshop organizers in Nairobi. We are committed to improving gender balance and therefore particularly welcome applications from women.  

BELOW FIND THE CALL FOR APPLICATION