School of Social and Political Science

Content

Our experts have vast experience in engaging with wider public audiences and stakeholders outside of academia.

This ensures that the research we do has direct impact on the people and actors who can directly benefit from it. 

Work in this area

•    Workshops and innovative knowledge exchange with local communities and civil society 
•    Consultancy and advisory work with the public and private sectors, international organizations, NGOs, asylum courts, and commissions
•    Creative and accessible ways of publishing and distributing our research to wider audiences
•    Wide range of other channels through which we seek to make our research matter

Examples of current projects

Mentorship collaboration with Gaza Sky Geeks

Become a mentor for Palestinian talent 

Distributed by Andreas Hackl (social anthropology) on behalf of Gaza Sky Geeks

Amidst the ongoing carnage in Palestine it can be easy to forget that employment and skills development are key to a dignified life and future for Palestinians. Since 2011, Gaza Sky Geeks and Mercy Corps have been propelling Palestine’s digital economy and future technology leaders, aiming to transcend borders through skills training and remote job placement.

Originally focused on supporting Palestinian talent in Gaza to develop their skills and earn a dignified income through online and remote work, GSG has now expanded its operation in the West Bank and is looking for mentors to support their graduates and community members. After a successful mentoring arrangement with staff at Cambridge University, we are now calling on staff at the University of Edinburgh to consider taking up this beneficial and hugely impactful role.  

In the current situation, online and remote work is one of very few opportunities that are left for Palestinian talents. While many in the GSG community are highly educated and digitally skilled professionals, they are in need of support to develop their soft skills, make international connections, and expand their professional networks.

 

What does the mentoring role entail?

Everyone at University can become a mentor for Gaza Sky Geeks and there is no specific skills requirement. Many of the beneficiaries will benefit from increased exposure to English speaking professionals, from advice in developing soft skills for job applications, writing skills, or how to master interviews. Another important aspect are soft skills required for entering higher education abroad, including tips for applying to universities. 

The time investment varies but GSG would hope for every mentee to dedicate at least one hour per month to this role. 

 

What are the benefits of mentoring?

For mentees, the main benefits include:

• Improved CVs, job application skills, and interview skills

• Increased confidence, motivation, and communication skills

• Create awareness of global career and education opportunities

• Widening professional networks

For mentors, the benefits include:

• An opportunity to support Palestinian individuals to access employment and education at a time of crisis

• Learning about one of Palestine’s most innovative programmes and the wider Palestinian online and remote work community

• Having a direct impact with very low investment

• Meeting new acquaintances, friends, and gaining a sense of fulfillment

 

How can I become a mentor?

If you are interested in this mentoring opportunity, please fill in this form here and the Gaza Sky Geeks team will be in touch with you.

Examples of past projects

•    Implementation agreements and research consultancy work with UN agencies and other international organisations
•    Creative engagement with civil society actors, such as migrants and displaced communities, through art exhibitions and participatory methods
•    Monitoring and evaluation work for organisations and industry
•    Providing expert opinions to asylum courts and international justice tribunals and commissions
•    Other public engagements and knowledge exchange with research impact
 

Field Songs

Drawing on fieldwork and workshops with Syrian farmers in Turkey and northern Syria in 2022, the With the Sickle and Songs documentary portrays the ongoing relevance of (agri)cultural heritage for Syrian refugees in Turkey, and for the future of sustainable agriculture in the Middle East: 

Find out more about this project 

Associated Researcher: Dr Ann-Christin Zuntz

Associated Researcher: Dr Andrew Bowman

The digital risks affecting refugees working online

Workshops run in collaboration with UNHCR Innovation Service explored the particular challenges, risks, and vulnerabilities experienced by refugees accessing online livelihoods.

Find out more about this project

Associated Researcher: Dr Andreas Hackl