Open call: Ufahamu Africa podcast fellows

Selected fellows will have the opportunity to guest host podcast episodes, identify future guests and themes, create partnerships with other content producers and disseminators, and build their research and partnership networks.

The application deadline is 30 August 2023 at 11pm CAT.

About the fellowship

Term: October 2023 through May 2024
Stipend: $3 500

Ufahamu Africa non-resident fellows are engaged remotely for nine months to produce the equivalent of four episodes. Fellows will also be asked to join the editorial team to shape Season 8 content, dissemination ideas, mashup partnerships, and other podcast production decisions.

Fellows will receive a stipend to support their internet data costs and their time spent on the fellowship of $3 500.

Fellows will be considered members of the production team and will be invited to attend relevant conferences – African Studies Association, Working Group on African Political Economy, Africa Podfest, and others – as possible with current travel restrictions. Through these networks, fellows will have access to annual research grant competitions, online and in-person convenings, training workshops, and more.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Have experience with research and/or media dissemination to general publics.
• Demonstrate commitment to open-access knowledge dissemination.
• Demonstrate a commitment to and experience with engaging general publics, policymakers, researchers on topics related to life and politics on the continent.
• Demonstrate a commitment to building the capacity of African research institutions/universities/media centres and journalists
• Submit a clear proposal.
• Be computer literate, fluent in English, and a strong public speaker.

African nationals, scholars, journalists or content creators based in Africa and female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Team proposals are welcome.

Familiarity with the Ufahamu Africa podcast or podcasting in general is preferred.

A total of three to four fellows (or teams) will be accepted, for a fellowship starting October 2023.

How to apply

You will need to provide the following materials:

1. One-page personal statement, including answers to the following:

• Of all fellowships available to you, why are you particularly interested in this one? What do you hope to accomplish during the nine months and beyond?
• How does this fellowship and its workload fit into your current commitments?
• If you are applying as a part of a team, describe the team dynamics and how that will facilitate content creation and contribution to the podcast.

2. CV/resume

3. Two-page podcast proposal, including answers to the following:

• What type of podcast episodes do you imagine creating? How would you ensure a diversity of thinkers, ideas, voices and stories? How are you particularly qualified or uniquely situated to produce the content you’re proposing?
• What are your ideas for disseminating to relevant networks?
• If you would like to produce simultaneous episodes in English and another language, what plans would you have to do so and/or what support would you need to do so?
• Please include what problems or questions you are planning to address, what contributions to learning they will make, what target populations you envision, and any translation into educational products, public policy, or other outcomes that may be possible enduring outputs.

4. Voice note or sample audio work

• Please submit an audio recording that exemplifies the kinds of content you can or want to create. This may be a short recording you create for this application or a link to other relevant audio work you’ve done in the past. Audio recordings should be at least 30 seconds and no longer than five minutes.

If you have any questions, email ufahamuafrica@gmail.com.

Applications over email with the subject line ‘Non-resident Fellowship Application’, if you are not able to submit using the form, will be accepted.

About Ufahamu Africa

Ufahamu Africa is a podcast about life and politics on the African continent, co-hosted by Kim Yi Dionne and Rachel Beatty Riedl. ‘Ufahamu’ is a Swahili word that translates to ‘understanding’ or ‘consciousness’ in English. Ufahamu Africa seeks to expand our collective understanding of Africa through in-depth interviews with diverse thinkers and innovators who are deeply ingrained in the life, culture, and politics of the continent. Weekly episodes also feature news highlights and overviews of what the hosts are reading and learning.

View the original call here.