Let's Talk Human Rights

By Dr. Joel Pruce

The Human Rights Center (HRC) invites applications from faculty of all ranks and from all units and departments across campus for a collaborative opportunity to steer the next phase of the Action Research and Rights Collective (ARRC), a community of practice around participatory research methodologies. We are mapping a new model of faculty leadership for the Collective, to build capacity at the Center and develop a sustainable future for this key initiative. 

Background

The Collective emerged from the HRC’s Strategic Vision that rationalizes this program with stated principles that include,

• “Making the education-research-advocacy nexus central to all our practice”;
• “HRC promotes research that is action oriented, community-led, and directed to support transformational advocacy with evidence and insights, but also by strategically learning from all we do“;
• “Root our work in genuine, horizontal and sustainable partnerships”; and
• “Intersectional, anti-racist and decolonial approaches.”

The implementation of these principles is diffused throughout the visioning document and revolves around the establishment of a research network. The framework of “action research” compels us to prioritize the production of knowledge that centers lived experience as an indispensable source of expertise and democratize knowledge production.

In Spring 2022, following the adoption of the Strategic Vision, we began planning and building the ARRC with a book club and workshop. Through Summer and Fall 2022, we drafted and issued a Call for Collaborators that expanded the network. Fellowship stipends were awarded and we hosted a second workshop in late Spring 2023. In Fall 2023, the Collective sponsored research presentations at the Social Practice of Human Rights conference.

Details

Fellows will build on this foundation and chart a way forward for the ARRC utilizing action research tools. We seek applicants with exposure to participatory methods, commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and experience with community-based research. 

If selected, fellows will work with HRC Director of Applied Research and Learning to develop a plan for the Collective over the fall semester that can launch in the spring. Fellows will be responsible for work in the following areas:

• Reinvigorating the Collective by engaging past participants and recruiting new ones; 
• Determining and articulating the Collective’s purpose moving forward and the needs it has as such; and
• Pursuing opportunities to further define and sustain the Collective, including through extramural fundraising.

We hope to select 2-3 fellows who will each receive a $4000 stipend, which is expected to occupy ~3 hours per week over the academic year. The team will operate with a budget of $2000 to execute the plan they develop together. Fellows will be invited to participate in the life of the Human Rights Center, expected to attend at least one weekly staff meeting per month, and welcome to use work and meeting space at the Center. These positions may be renewed, contingent upon contribution and budget availability.

Timeline

Interested individuals can submit a current CV and cover letter detailing their qualifications and approach to this role by September 6. Interviews will take place thereafter and a team will be assembled. Work will begin with an initial development phase, and execution of the plan will begin Jan 2025 with deliverables completed by June 1, 2025. Inquiries and submissions can be addressed to Joel R. Pruce (jpruce1@udayton.edu).