Two PhD Positions in Philanthropy, Justice, and Sustainability Governance (1.0 FTE) (# of pos: 2)

Updated: over 1 year ago
Job Type: Temporary
Deadline: 17 Oct 2022

Utrecht University has opened two new full-time four-year positions for doctoral (PhD) researchers in the field of philanthropy, justice, and sustainability governance. The two doctoral researchers will become part of a major new research project investigating the role of philanthropic foundations in shaping justice discourses and practices in global sustainability governance being led by Dr Agni Kalfagianni. The project, titled “Beyond Giving: Philanthropic Foundations as Agents of Justice in Global Sustainability Governance? (BEYOND GIVING)”, runs over 4,5 years (2023-2027), and is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
The core aim of the BEYOND GIVING project is to provide critical knowledge on how diverse philanthropic foundations shape global justice and with what consequences for global sustainability governance. The project examines a variety of foundations active in the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development, their interpretations of global justice, the power relations that such interpretations may reinforce or challenge in global sustainability governance, the institutionalization of such interpretations in concrete policy plans and actions, and the factors that explain variation.

The two doctoral researchers will play a key role within the overall BEYOND GIVING project by contributing data and new conceptual and empirical approaches in studying the role of philanthropy in global sustainability governance.

The foci of the two projects are as follows:

  • Project 1: Analyse through critical discourse analysis, audiovisual analysis, and interviews the justice interpretations of selected philanthropic foundations active in the 2030 Agenda, and develop a theoretically expanded understanding of justice and power building upon the empirical research.
  • Project 2: Analyse through process-tracing methodologies and descriptive statistics the justice institutionalization pathways of selected philanthropic foundations in the governance arenas of food, climate, and ocean governance; and probe into the related consequences for sustainability practices in these arenas and the broader sustainability domain through interviews with various stakeholder groups.


The two doctoral researchers will work closely together under the supervision of Dr Kalfagianni and other project supervisors/promoters throughout the entire four-year period. The BEYOND GIVING project adopts a team-based approach where the doctoral Researchers have a key role and responsibility for helping to collaboratively deliver the project’s objectives. At the same time, you should be willing to bring your own conceptual and empirical innovation to the project in order to build your independent research skills and outlook. As one of our doctoral researchers you will be well-supported through supervision, training courses, funding to attend conferences and workshops, and involvement in global research networks, to ensure your success and develop your career trajectory.



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