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Faith-based community development/Use your Talents (UYT)
This PhD-project focuses on diaconal, asset-based community development. It is linked to the
capacity-building project Use Your Talents, supported by DIGNI/Norwegian mission organizations.
This program supports capacity building through community development in the global south. This
community development evolves from the resources and capacities, the assets and “talents”
available locally. For more information about UYT, see Sigurd Haus (2016): Use Your Talents. The
Congregation as Primary development Agent, SIK Rapport 2016:3 (http://www.sik.no/sikReport?88
Projects and topics
Potential applications should focus on asset-based community development projects, taking into
account the special contribution of Christian congregations or other faith-based
organizations/communities as a relevant framework for and actor in community development.
Projects outlines should include the use of empirical approaches and the study of diaconal practice.
The theoretical framework for the studies is the science of diakonia. Thus, since diaconal studies
always imply an interdisciplinary approach, researchers with different academic backgrounds are
invited to apply. This might be students with an MA in diaconal studies, but also students with an MA
in theology, social work, health work, humanities, or other relevant educational backgrounds fitting
into the research scope.
PhD projects might focus on ongoing diaconal, asset-based community development projects,
analyzing and discussing them, or contribute in developing new projects, possibly within the
framework of an action research approach. UYT-projects are related to the field of education,
agriculture, economy (microcredit or saving groups), gender equality, leadership or other relevant
community development fields. Thus, PhD-projects could be developed within these different fields.
Research community and network
The PhD scholar will be part of the interdisciplinary research group on community development
linked to VID Specialized University. In addition, the international UYT network will provide an
important research fellowship, and the PhD scholar will be actively involved in the yearly research
conferences which are planned for 2017-2019. The PhD program in diakonia, values and professional
practice will be the scholar’s daily working framework. In addition to that, the researcher will be
linked to a group of master students within the Diakonia and christian social practice- program who
are working on small scale research projects related to asset-based community development in
different, mostly African, countries.
Applicants
Applications from students who are already involved into UYT projects or others who are interested
in studying such projects in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe or Kenya, or people from other countries/churches
interested in the application of the UYT method, would be welcomed. In addition to that, students
from countries in the Global South who have a special interest in asset-based/faith-based community
development through faith communities are invited to apply.