Information about PhD in Development Studies at UJ
Dear Madam or Sir
Thank you for your inquiry regarding doctoral studies in Development Studies with the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Johannesburg.
Academic requirements:
The minimum requirement to gain access to a doctoral degree in Development Studies is a MA in Development Studies (or a cognate field) with an average mark of at least 65%.
You will be required to submit certified copies of your academic records.
If your MA degree is from an institution outside of South Africa we will also need a Certificate of Evaluation letter from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to attest the level of your qualification, compared to those in South Africa.
You also have to submit your curriculum vitae (CV).
And lastly, a letter of recommendation from two people of academic repute who know your work well is also necessary.
In addition to the above, you will be required to submit a 6-8 page ‘mini-proposal’ on your plans for research, including your research questions, rationale and proposed methodology. Check your research interest against the research focus areas of staff members (listed at the end of this letter), and ensure that you interest overlap with one of the staff member’s.
To apply, you have to submit all these documents, as well as the UJ application form (to be found on the UJ website (www.uj.ac.za)) to the Development Studies coordinator. Submission can be either via email, or via ImageNow.
Ensure that you have ticked everything on this checklist prior to submitting your application.
Required / YesCertified academic transcripts of your previous degrees
At least 65% in your MA degree
SAQA certification, if you obtained your MA degree in an institution outside of South Africa
6-8 page research proposal
Your CV
Two letters of reference
Process to review applications:
Once all your documents have been submitted to the Development Studies PhD coordinator (either via email or via ImageNow), the department will review your application. Should you meet the minimum requirement, we will try to identify a supervisor(s) in the department who have capacity to supervise, and who have an interested in your proposed topic. We may then ask you to participate in an interview with the proposed supervisor(s) and other members of staff, who will then make the final decision regarding your acceptance. Note that you will not be automatically accepted if you meet the minimum requirement.
Higher Degrees Committee:
Once you have been accepted, you will then have 6-9 months to work on a formal research proposal that must be be presented orally and in writing to the department. And if approved, the written proposal will be submitted to the Faculty’s Higher Degrees Committee for final approval. If you do not meet the criteria of that committee within a year, you will not be allowed to continue with your doctoral registration.
Fees and bursaries:
The fees for doctoral degrees are around R13 000 per year, excluding registration and ICT levies. International students will be required to pay an additional levy. The Faculty of Humanities’ website contains more information in this regard. For bursaries, see the UJ website at http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/postgrad/Pages/Student-Finance-and-Funding.aspx.
Please consider this carefully: though tremendously satisfying if successful, a PhD is a long process, does not pay well, and requires rigorous work and almost religious commitment. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Prof Zosa Gruber
Development Studies PhD coordinator
011559 3244
Research interests of Development Studies colleagues
The following members of staff are available for supervision of Doctoral candidates, as per their own fields of expertise. Candidates are encouraged to contact them directly should they feel their field of expertise is appropriate for them.
Prof David Moore
Zimbabwean political economy, politics, history – and their relation with development studies. Development theory: Gramscian theories of hegemony and Marxist theories of primitive accumulation applied to such institutions as the World Bank and such discursive formations as "good governance", states and civil society.
Prof Mary Galvin
;
Participation and the role of civil society in development
Donor funding and its impacts
Global-local development dynamics ("glocal"), and governance-related issues
Rural development
Water and sanitation services
Social movements and service delivery protests
Management of water resources: dams and natural resource abuse
Community based climate change adaptation
Dr Edith Phaswana
Children, youth and development
Education and development
Gender and development
Race/Ethnicity Studies
NGO management
Policy evaluation
Prof. Zosa Gruber (nee De Sas Kropiwnicki)
Children, youth and development
Child protection (including child sexual exploitation, abuse and trafficking)
Gender and development
Equity and development (including vulnerable children, people living with disabilities)
Sex work studies
Migration studies (including forced migration)
Monitoring and evaluation
Development management
Participatory approaches to development
Prof. Zosa De Sas Kropiwnicki has been awarded a generous NRF grant to undertake a study on childhoods in exile, focusing on people who were born and/or spent their formative years in exile during apartheid. She can offer PhD scholarships to students who are interested in studying broadly in the areas of migration and children, youth and development.
Dr Simphiwe Nojiyeza
Sustainable development
Water and sanitation
Trade related issues
Local economic development
Development economics
Governance
Participation in development
Dr Naudé Malan
Dr Malan has received funding for a project on the Soweto Food System and a number of bursaries are available in this regard. This project concentrates on urban agriculture, technology development and multi-stakeholder engagement. Any issue related to these will be considered for supervision. Dr Malan has further expertise on sustainability, participation in development, civil society, social policy and welfare, human rights (particularly the right to food and rights to social security).
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