Fellowship Opportunity: The SAIS China and Africa Research Initiative at John Hopkins University

SAIS-CARI Fellowships

The China Africa Research Initiative at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies announces the launch of the SAIS-CARI Fellows program. SAIS-CARI Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis or by invitation to researchers, policy-makers, or journalists who wish to spend a concentrated period of time (1 to 2 months) writing or doing field research on an under-explored policy issue related to China’s African engagement. 

Applicants may either apply to (1) spend a month at SAIS, leveraging the resources of Washington, DC, SAIS-CARI and the SAIS faculty, working on a China-Africa related topic or writing up field research that has already been conducted; or (2) propose to spend one or two months conducting new research in China, or in Africa, on a China-Africa policy issue.

We particularly encourage teams of two people, one of whom is fluent in Chinese, to propose research topics that could be investigated in Africa, drawing on each researcher’s comparative advantage. All projects must be policy-relevant and based on case studies and fieldwork.

For 2015, we especially welcome proposals that will pair analysis of cases of Chinese investment, aid or finance in Africa with that from the United States. We are also interested in case studies of manufacturing or agriculture investments, telecommunications, infrastructure, foreign aid, technology transfer, vocational training, and mineral processing investments.

Grants can range from $3000 to $10,000 per person, covering economy flight, accommodations and meals, local transport, and other reasonable research costs.

• Proposals should be no more than three pages, single-spaced, including an overview of the research project and methodology, a budget, and the names and professional email addresses of two referees whom we can contact.

               •  In your package, please also include a separate c.v. and up to two writing samples.

• We encourage applicants to show that they have policy “buy-in” for their topic – that they have discussed their proposed research with people in government or in another part of the policy or professional world and gotten a commitment from them to play an informal advisory role in the research.

All grantees must produce a report of some 3000 words from their research project, which may be published as a SAIS-CARI policy brief. Most successful applicants will also be expected to produce a working paper for the CARI working paper series. Depending on the research topic, grantees may receive funding to present their research at the annual CARI conference.

Applications are due to sais-cari@jhu.edu by April 15, 2015 for a start date between June 1 and October 30, 2015. Decisions will be announced in April. The SAIS-CARI Fellows Program is supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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EVENT Monday, 3/2: "Asia's Unsung Female Leaders" at the New America Foundation

New America
1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
Monday, March 2, 2015, 12:15 PM-1:45 PM

RSVP HERE

In the U.S., we talk a lot about female leaders – the lack of them, the trials they face, barriers to their advancement. As we prepare for International Women’s Day, a new e-book, “It’s Not OK,” published by Radio Free Asia, helps us reconsider our own leadership challenges by shining a spotlight on a particularly brave group: the rising population of young, female human rights activists in Asia who are speaking out in their communities even as entrenched social values demand that they remain voiceless. 

Many live in countries under strict authoritarian rule – with little tolerance of dissent, few legal rights and protections, and embryonic civil societies. They are factory workers whose pay has been withheld by trafficking gangs, mothers whose children have been kidnapped with the complicity of the police, and lawyers who refuse to accept political complacency. What are the factors contributing to the rise of these young women activists in Asia? And what can we in the West learn from their struggles and successes? 

Join New America and Radio Free Asia for a conversation with some of Asia’s most prominent female human rights activists to dive deeper into their stories.

Follow the discussion online using #ItsNotOk and following@NewAmerica.


Participants:

Zin Mar Aung @zinmaraung1976
Co-founder of RAINFALL 
Winner of International Women of Courage Award in 2012 
Co-founder of Yangon School of Political Science 

Catherine Antoine @antoinec
Director and Managing Editor, Radio Free Asia Online
Executive Producer, "It's Not Ok" 

Binh T. Nguyen, MD 
Director, Human Rights For Vietnam PAC 
Former chair, Virginia Asian Advisory Board 
Director, Virginia Foundation for the Humanity and Public Policies 

Elizabeth Weingarten @elizabethw723
Associate Director, Global Gender Parity Initiative

Summer 2015 PAID INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: Keio Academy of New York

Keio Academy of New York is seeking undergraduate or graduate student interns for its "US-Japan Summer Cultural Experience 2015"!

The internship lasts from Thursday, July 16, 2015 – Sunday, August 2, 2015, and will take place on Keio Academy of New York's campus in Purchase, NY. Interns must live on campus, as housing and meals will be provided.

Interns will be paid $8.75 per hour and will be working 6 days a week, about 25-30 hours per week. Must hold a legal status to work in the US (F-1 visa students will not be accepted), and must possess a social security number.

Qualifications:

• Excellent command of the English language
• A good team player in a multi-cultural setting
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced program environment
• For Non-native speakers of Japanese- at least two years of college-level Japanese language or cultural studies strongly preferred
• An undergraduate or a graduate student in an education, international studies, intercultural communication, or related program preferred
• Willing to engage in recreational activities with participants when off-duty
• Willing to learn the operational and administrative undertakings required of a residential educational institution
• Experience in working with youth and/or experience in living/studying/working in another country in a cross-cultural environment preferred
• Prior high school or college residential life experience a plus
• Media arts or digital technology related experience helpful

Responsibilities:

• Ensure program participants’ healthy, safety, hygiene, discipline, group dynamics, and social adjustment, working under the direct supervision of the Administrative Assistant Director
• Assist program staff in guiding participants through a daily schedule of activities
• Assist with administrative tasks as assigned
• If bilingual, be an interpreter for the participants, their parents, faculty, staff members, and others as needed

Position Descriptions and Responsibilities:

Interns will be assigned a primary area of tasks from one of the following areas:

• Administrative
• Assist with administrative work
• Social Networking Service
• Set up SNS sites for the program
• Provide daily updates and announcements on social networking sites such as Facebook
• Gather photos and post on photo-sharing sites
• Events and Activities
• Assist and at times organize social events for the participants and others
• Translation
• Act as a translator during academic instruction, lectures, and presentations
• Athletics
• Assist and at time organize athletics events and activities
• Videography
• Produce a video record of the program

Application:

Send a cover letter written in English and a one-page resume (MUST include the phone number and email address of the applicant as well as the contact information of at least one academic reference) to the Keio Academy of New York summer program office at keiosummer@keio.edu. You must write "Internship Position" in the subject line of the email. All documents must be in PDF file format.
Any application without “Internship Position” written in the subject line, missing a cover letter or
academic reference information, or not in the proper format will not be considered.
Any application without "Internship Postion" written in the subject line, missing a cover letter or academic reference information, or not in the proper format will not be considered.

Deadline:
May 13, 2015 or until all openings are filled. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Visit Keio Academy's website (http://www.keio.edu/english/summerprograms) to learn more about the program. For questions, email the Keio Academy of New York Summer Program Office at keiosummer@keio.edu

FLAS Academic Year and Summer Fellowships (deadline extended)

FLAS Academic Year Fellowships

Deadline: 2 March 2015 (5:00 PM EST)

(Chinese, Japanese or Korean only)

FLAS Summer Fellowships

Deadline: 2 March 2015 (5:00 PM EST)

(Chinese, Japanese or Korean only)

The U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship Program provides Academic Year and Summer Fellowships to assist current and incoming graduate (PhD and Master's candidates), professional students (JD and MD) and current undergraduates (Summer FLAS only) at George Washington University to further language study and area/international studies. 

Targeted Languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean

(The competition for 2015-16 in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and Turkish is closed.)

Academic Year FLAS: Graduate students (Master's, PhD, MD or JD) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents AND who are enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in a GWU program that combines modern foreign language training with international or area studies or with the international aspects of professional or other fields of study. 

Awards will cover full tuition (excluding fees) and up to $15,000 in stipend.

Summer FLAS: Supports undergraduates and graduates (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) enrolled in: formal domestic programs of intensive language study at the intermediate or advanced level in one of the targeted languages or formal overseas programs of intensive language study at the intermediate or advanced level in one of the targeted languages. The Summer FLAS also supports graduate students enrolled in formal domestic programs of intensive language study at the beginning level in one of the targeted languages. 

Undergraduates or graduates who will graduate in August 2015 or December 2015 are eligible for a summer 2015 award. (Graduating seniors are not eligible.)

The award will cover up to $5,000 in tuition (excluding fees) and up to $2,500 total for room and board and textbooks. Overseas airfare is available up to $2,000. (Overseas airfare must be in compliance with the Fly America Act.) 

Please review the attached flyers for more information. Interested applicants should read over the Frequently Asked Questions page. Please also read over the FLAS Academic Year Fellowships and FLAS Summer Fellowships pages for information on eligibility requirements and the application process for each fellowship. Eligible applicants may apply for both fellowships and students from all programs are encouraged to apply (per the eligibility requirements).

Questions should be directed to gradfell@gwu.edu.

Summer 2015 INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: Congressional-Executive Commission on China Deadline: March 1, 2015

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (www.cecc.gov) is offering paid internships to qualified undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates this coming spring in Washington, D.C. Interns must be U.S. citizens. The application deadline is March 1, 2015 for the Summer 2015 internship that runs from June 15 to August 30, 2015. Summer internships are full-time; interns are expected to work 40 hours per week. See application instructions below.

CECC internships provide significant educational and professional experience for undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates with a background in Chinese politics, law, and society, and strong Chinese language skills.

Interns work closely with the Commission and its staff on the full array of issues concerning human rights, the rule of law, and governance in China (including criminal justice, democratic governance institutions, environmental problems, religious freedom, freedom of expression, ethnic minority rights, women's rights, etc.).

Interns perform important research support tasks (often in Chinese), attend seminars, meet Members of Congress and experts from the United States and abroad, and draft Commission analyses. Click here for CECC analysis of recent developments in the rule of law and human rights in China. Interns may also be trained to work with the Commission's Political Prisoner Database, which has been accessible by the public since its launch in November 2004 (click here to begin a search).

The CECC staff is committed to interns’ professional development, and holds regular roundtables for interns on important China-related issues.

Summer 2015 interns will be paid $10/hour. Those unable to apply for Summer 2015 internships may apply for the Fall (September-December). Further details are available on the Commission's Web site at http://www.cecc.gov/pages/general/employ.php.

Qualifications:

·  Interns must be U.S. citizens.

·  Interns should have completed at least some China-related coursework. It is also desirable that they have some background in one or more of the specific human rights and rule of law issues in the CECC legislative mandate.

·  Interns should be able to read Chinese well enough to assist with research in newspapers, journals, and on Web sites. More advanced Chinese language capability would be a plus. The successful candidate for an internship often will have lived or studied in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan.

·  Although our interns are generally undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates, others are also welcome to apply.

Application Instructions for Summer 2015:

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for two references, to the CECC via e-mail to Judy Wright, Director of Administration at judy.wright@mail.house.gov by March 1, 2015. Applications must be received by our office no later than 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on March 1. Please discuss in your cover letter how your professional goals, interests, and background relate to the Commission's legislative mandate regarding human rights and the rule of law in China. No phone calls please.

Internship Opportunity: National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) Political and Security Affairs (PSA) Internship

Political and Security Affairs (PSA) Internship
Washington, D.C.

Are you interested in international affairs and political and security studies? Would you like to use your knowledge of international relations to support activities that inform and strengthen U.S. policy towards Asia? If so, apply for NBR’s PSA Internship!

The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) is seeking a volunteer, unpaid (the internship pays a nominal stipend), part-time (8-16 hours per week) intern to be a member of the Political and Security Affairs (PSA) team for 3-6 months, extendable. The internship will include contributing to key projects and programs, such as the China Security Studies Program, Asia’s Multipolar Nuclear Future project, the Future of U.S. Alliances and Partnerships initiative, and other PSA projects.

Responsibilities

• Project Management Assistance: tracking contracts for project contributors, filling out project reimbursement requests; supporting project development; helping maintain project documentation and web-pages
• Research Support and Writing: providing substantive research assistance for project teams and scholars, summarizing research papers, undertaking literature reviews, and performing other research and writing assignments as needed
• Event Planning: providing administrative support to conferences, workshops, presentations, and briefings (drafting agendas and invitations; assisting with travel, accommodation, and venue arrangements; note-taking, etc.)
• Database Administration: maintaining and updating project databases; data entry and research for institutional and project databases
• Phone Support: answering incoming calls to the organization
• Participating in and supporting other NBR activities as needed

Qualifications

• Current BA/MA student or recent graduate, working towards or holding a relevant degree
• Excellent written, oral, and research skills are required, as well as substantive expertise and interest in contemporary U.S. foreign policy towards Asia
• The intern should be a motivated self-starter who can work independently or as part of a team, pays acute attention to detail, is organized, and works well under pressure
• Advanced Asian language skills a plus

Application Process

The deadline for applications is Friday, February 20, 2015; however, qualified applications received first will be given priority. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To apply, submit the following to NBR:

• Brief application form available on our website at http://www.nbr.org/Downloads/pdfs/NBR/application.pdf
• Cover letter that details your qualifications and interest in the position
• Resume
• Brief writing sample on a topic related to your field of study
• Contact information of three references, including name, title, affiliation, relationship to you, phone number, and email address

Please send applications by email to: Ms. Kailani Cordell, Human Resources Director, email: employment@nbr.org, phone (206) 632-7370.

Internship Opportunity: National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) Congressional & Media Outreach Internship

Congressional & Media Outreach Internship
Washington, D.C.

The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) is recruiting a Congressional & Media Outreach Intern to support congressional and media-related initiatives in our Washington, D.C. office. The intern will help communicate research on critical Asia issues to U.S. policymakers and the media, and have the opportunity to contribute to publications for congressional staff. This unique experience provides intensive exposure to NBR’s research programs and network of scholars.

The Congressional & Media Outreach Internship is an unpaid, volunteer, part-time position (8-16 hours per week). The intern will be a key member of NBR’s Outreach team for approximately 3-6 months, beginning in February or March 2015. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Outreach. The internship, though volunteer, pays a nominal stipend. Students are also encouraged to apply for credit or funding through their home institution.


Responsibilities

• Develop content and programming for NBR’s partnerships with the Senate India Caucus, U.S.-China Working Group, Senate Chiefs of Staff Foreign Affairs Study Group, etc. This includes interviewing Asia policy experts, writing and editing content, and developing NBR’s congressional newsletters
• Provide research and planning support for meetings and briefings on Capitol Hill, including NBR’s annual Engaging Asia conference
• Assist with media outreach, including drafting press releases, placing op-eds, and developing media plans for NBR’s 25th anniversary and NBR’s Pacific Energy Summit in Beijing
• Write social media posts and implement strategies to increase NBR’s visibility
• Support creation of NBR’s congressional outreach webpage, track meetings with congressional staff, etc.

Qualifications

• Current BA/MA student, working toward a relevant degree
• Strong interest in government relations, U.S.-Asia policymaking, and social media
• Excellent written, research, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as substantive expertise and interest in U.S. policy toward Asia and/or media and government relations
• Motivated self-starter with strong organizational skills who pays acute attention to detail
• Experience using social media tools in a professional setting preferred but not necessary
• Knowledge of web/graphic design is a plus

Application Process
The deadline for applications is Friday, February 13, 2015; however, qualified applications received first will be given priority. To apply, submit the following to NBR:

• Brief application form available on our website at http://www.nbr.org/Downloads/pdfs/NBR/application.pdf
• Cover letter that details your qualifications and interest in the position
• Resume
• Brief writing sample, if possible, related to the position you are applying for
• Contact information of three references, including name, title, affiliation, relationship to you, phone number, and email address

Please send applications by email to: Ms. Kailani Cordell, Director of Human Resources, employment@nbr.org, (206) 632-7370.

Summer 2014 Research Fellows Roundtable

Want an inside look into doing research abroad? Come check out our Summer 2014 Research Fellows tomorrow at 12:30pm, as they hold a roundtable discussing their experiences researching in India! 

Sponsored by the Sigur Center for Asian Studies

Tuesday, February 3, 2014
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
The Elliott School of International Affairs
1957 E Street, NW, Chung-wen Shih Conference Room - Suite 503

RSVP at http://go.gwu.edu/studentresearch.

Each year the Sigur Center awards students with grants to conduct field research in Asia over the summer. Join the Summer 2014 Student Research Fellows as they share their findings and impressions.

Hear from the following Research Fellows:

Aaditya Dar (PhD – Economics) 
“Does Political Background of Legislators Matter for
Development?” - India

Diogo Lemos (PhD – Political Science)
“Competing for the Neighborhood: Explaining the Urban Poor Vote for Elite Ethnic Parties" - India

John Ryan (MA - Asian Studies)
“Indian Foreign Policy in India-China-US Strategic
Triangle” - India

The Sigur Center for Asian Studies is a excellent resource for students wishing to conduct language study or field research in Asia
The deadline for Summer 2015 grants is February 27. For more information and to apply, visit our Fellowships & Grants page.