Research Fellow (USA)

About the Role
We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to work on the ERC-funded project RAIDS: Religious Authority in Extractive Industry Struggles, led by Professor Claire Blencowe in the Department of Sociology, University of Warwick.

RAIDS will explore the role of religion as a ‘weapon’ of both powerful corporations and marginalised communities involved in social and ecological struggles over mines or mining infrastructure. The project advances understanding of the range of authority and soft-power mechanisms at play in the contemporary extractivism. It investigates whether and how extractive industries and religious nationalisms support each other today. Working in partnership with communities engaged in existing struggles the project will amplify the knowledge and experience of marginalised front-line communities. This includes taking seriously forms of religious or spiritual activism that have too often been dismissed by modern social science, as well as supporting knowledge exchange and solidarity between communities engaged in disparate struggles.

The research fellow will be employed for two years to conduct research on religion in extractive industry struggles in the USA. We are looking for engaged activist-scholars who are able to work closely and respectfully with mine-affected communities, participating with and supporting the community's existing activism.

You are invited to propose your own case studies as part of your application, drawing upon your existing connections or affinities with mine-affected communities. Once appointed, we will work together as a team to finalise the case study design and carry out the research encompassing: critical cultural/authority studies investigation of the 'soft' power backing contemporary mining corporations; participatory research with mine affected communities exploring the ways that they can and do engage religious or spiritual practice, organisation or wisdom in their struggles; and co-producing analysis and outputs with the mine-affected communities.

During a six-month preparatory period the fellow will conduct a literature review, ethics clearance, and training in participatory research methods. A year of empirical research will follow, including: participatory observation with each case-study community; co-hosting participatory theory workshops; interviews; and online critical/investigative analysis. A final six-month period focuses on completion of outputs including at least one lead-authored journal article, data packages for each case study, news stories, and content for the project website and co-authored book, as well as future planning.

The post is full-time, fixed-term appointments for 24 months commencing January 2027.

For further information or informal enquiries, please contact Professor Claire Blencowe (C.Blencowe@warwick.ac.uk)).

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here).

About the Project
To find out more, please visit our website at: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/staff/blencowe/raids/.

To find out more about the Department of Sociology, please visit our website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/.

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the 'Apply' button.

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