Sydney PhD 奖学金: Clashing Developments?

PhD Research Scholarship available

Macquarie University, Sydney
Division of Society, Culture, Media and Psychology

Clashing Developments? Chinese and Western Development Aid in Africa, South America, or Southeast Asia

In 2006, China emerged in the international arena as a major actor in overseas development and investment, particularly in Africa. This has caused unease in the international development establishment, which accuses China of flouting what it considers good practices of local participation and environmental protection, as well as of supporting repressive regimes. Underlying this clash are differing understandings of development and “the good life”. In 2007, a debate erupted in Africa on whether China’s involvement represents a welcome change compared to the paternalistic policies of the West or a new form of colonialism.

A full time PhD research scholarship is available at Macquarie University in the Department of Anthropology for a project that will shed light on how Chinese, local and Western perceptions of development interact and influence each other at a site with a significant Chinese development-aid presence in Africa, South America or Southeast Asia. The scholarship holder will work in a research framework that straddles development studies and political anthropology, and will contribute to an ethnographic understanding of changing global hierarchies of power.

Applicants should have completed equivalent research qualifications to a four-year Australian Bachelor degree with First Class Honours, such as a Bachelor degree plus a Masters degree with a substantial research component. Applicants should have a background in some of the following
areas: (Anthropology, Sociology, Development Studies, or relevant Area
Studies.) Preference will be given to applicants who are fluent in Chinese AND the local language of the region under investigation.

This Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES) includes a stipend (currently AU$19,616 p.a. tax exempt), allowances for relocation and thesis costs, and International tuition fees and overseas health cover for a maximum 3.5 years tenure.

Further information on the project may be obtained by emailing Dr NYÍRI Pál on pal.nyiri@mq.edu.au or phoning +61-2-9850 8121.

Application forms, and conditions for MQRES awards, are available from the Higher Degree Research Office, telephone: +61-2-9850 7987, e-mail:
hdrschol@vc.mq.edu.au or our website:
www.research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships/pages/chineseaid

Applications should be forwarded to:

The Scholarship Officer
Higher Degree Research Unit
Cottage C4C
Macquarie University
NSW 2109

Closing Date: 18 May 2007