PhD: Global Universities & Local Engagement with Deprived Communities

Functieomschrijving

This is a full-time, 4-year PhD (social science) research position. The project ‘Universities and Local Engagement with Deprived Communities’ is an explorative study of (re)developing relationships between universities, local communities, and local authorities, with the city of Delft and a city in the UK as case studies. Universities are increasingly expected to deliver societal value beyond their academic mission. The project will explore new ways to bridge the common divide between universities ('cans') and deprived local communities ('cannots'), addressing social inequality, governance and ‘giving back to society’. The project adopts a mixed-methods approach, which analyses context, mechanisms, and outcomes of initiatives, particularly in Delft. The position is based within the interdisciplinary and international Urban and Neighbourhood Change research group led by Prof. Maarten van Ham. Under the supervision of Prof. van Ham and Dr. Reinout Kleinhans, the PhD researcher will work on a PhD thesis based on co-authored peer-reviewed publications with the supervisors. Main tasks: executing research within the scope of the project proposal, performing a literature review, following specific projects over time, conducting semi-structured interviews, analysing transcriptions, doing small field experiments, writing papers, and taking courses in the Graduate School of the Faculty.

Functie-eisen

Bedrijfsomschrijving

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools. Architecture OTB - Research for the Built Environment specialises in independent reseach in the field of housing, construction, and the built environment. The policy areas of OTB are centred around various aspects of the built environment. For example, research is carried out into such areas as housing, urban renewal, transport and infrastructure, urban and regional development, sustainable building and building policy, land policy, geo-information resources, and GIS technology. OTB is a department in the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Delft University of Technology.

The Urban and Neighbourhood Change research group, led by Prof. Maarten van Ham, aims to develop a better understanding of the relationships between socio-economic inequality, poverty, and neighbourhoods, and the people- and area-based policies developed to combat these inequalities. The group has a strong international reputation for research on socio-economic and ethnic segregation, neighbourhood effects, neighbourhood change, urban regeneration, residential mobility and migration, and community engagement. The staff has backgrounds in demography, sociology, geography, and economics.