Atkin Fellowship for Arab-Israeli Dialogue

Thanks to the generosity of the Atkin Foundation, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR) - a unique partnership among King's College London, the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (Israel), the Regional Centre for Conflict Prevention Amman (Jordan), and the University of Pennsylvania - is offering young leaders from Israel and the Arab world the opportunity to come to London for a period of four months. If you are interested in applying, please read the following information carefully.

 

What does the Fellowship involve?
The purpose of the fellowship is to provide young leaders from Israel and the Arab world with an opportunity to develop their ideas on how to further peace and understanding in the Middle East through research, debate and constructive dialogue in a neutral political environment. Atkin Fellows will be based at the ICSR offices at King's College London. During their Fellowship, they are expected to:
  • Complete an academic paper (approx. 8,000-10,000 words) dealing with one aspect of the current conflict (see below), providing a concise analysis of the problem as well as outlining possible solutions. (The paper will be published by ICSR shortly after the completion of the Fellowship.)
  • Promote information and education about issues in the region by making themselves available for debate and consultation by the media, government, international organisations and NGOs.
  • Jointly organise a series of 3-4 events (roundtable discussions, seminars, panel discussions) dealing with relevant issues in the Middle East.
Furthermore, Atkin Fellows will be invited back to London during the following summer to participate in a ‘mini-conference' at which they can present and debate their ideas with other Fellows as well as an informed audience of policymakers, academics, and journalists. Atkin Fellows will become part of a network of young leaders, who will continue to be linked to each other and ICSR.
For the Fellowships commencing on 1 October 2008, we are looking for one Israeli and one Palestinian, whom we will invite to work on a paper addressing the issue ‘Scenarios for Progress in the Arab-Israeli Conflict'. For the Fellowships commencing on 1 February 2009, we are looking for one Israeli and one Jordanian, whom we will invite work on a paper addressing the issue of ‘Refugees and the "Right to Return"'.

What does the Fellowship provide?
Atkin Fellows will be paid a stipend of £2,000 per month to cover their accommodation and cost of living whilst in London. We will reimburse Fellows for one return trip to London (based on the cheapest available air fare), as well as up to £2,000 for Fellowship-related expenses (for example, books, travel within the UK/Europe, conference fees, etc.). An additional return trip to London (based on the cheapest available air fare) will be paid for in order to enable Fellows to attend the ‘mini-conference' (see above). Atkin Fellows will work under the supervision of the Director of ICSR. Some administrative support is available, but Fellows themselves are responsible for organising their stay in London.

Who qualifies?
The Atkin Fellowship is aimed at promoting new thinking among young leaders - typically from government, business, academia, and the media - who occupy positions from which they can shape politics and public opinion in Israel and the Arab world. Applicants must be:
  • Graduates
  • Permanently based in the Middle East at the time of their application
  • Fluent English speakers

For the Fellowship commencing on 1 October 2008, we are looking for one Israeli and one Palestinian. For the Fellowship commencing on 1 February 2009, we are looking for one Israeli and one Jordanian. Applications from women are encouraged.

 

How do I apply?
Your application should consist of three documents:
  • A cover letter (typically one, but no more than two pages) in which you explain your interest in becoming an Atkin Fellow and demonstrate your ability to carry out the tasks you are expected to complete during the Fellowship period. Please also indicate whether you are applying for the Fellowships commencing on 1 October 2008 or 1 February 2009.
  • A resume (no more than two pages).
  • A brief portfolio, which will contain a provisional outline of the paper which you will complete during your Fellowship (no more than 300 words); a response to the question ‘How will the Atkin Fellowship contribute to your career and personal development?' (no more than 300 words); and a response to the question ‘In your opinion, what measure will have the greatest positive impact on the Arab-Israeli conflict?' (no more than 300 words).
All applications must be submitted electronically before 30 May 2008. Send the complete package to andreas.berg@icsr.info.

What's the timetable?
The deadline for all applications is 30 May 2008. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by telephone in June. All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application by the end of June 2008.

 

Any questions?
If you have any questions, please e-mail Andreas Berg at andreas.berg@icsr.info.

 

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