Africa Centre for Indigenous Phenomenon Studies (ACIPS)

Volunteer Research Fellows Opportunity

Introduction

The African Centre for Indigenous Phenomenon Studies (ACIPS) seeks highly motivated and experienced researchers to serve as Volunteer Research Fellows. This pivotal role supports ACIPS's research agenda, fosters collaborations, and disseminates knowledge related to African spiritual traditions, cosmologies, and intangible knowledge systems. This is a volunteer-based opportunity with full reimbursement of approved research expenses. ACIPS is actively pursuing funding to expand into salaried research positions.

Role & Responsibilities

1. Participate in Research:
   • Engage in ACIPS’s metaphysical research projects, exploring African spiritual traditions, cosmologies, and intangible knowledge systems. Activities include assisting in identifying research questions, contributing to methodology design, and participating in ethical data collection.
   • Support the use of ethnographic, participatory, and interdisciplinary methods. Fellows are encouraged to document and interpret metaphysical phenomena through qualitative approaches, including fieldwork and community dialogues.
2. Community Engagement & Collaboration:
   • Collaborate with indigenous knowledge keepers and cultural custodians through respectful engagement and ethical knowledge exchange.
   • Assist in organizing symposia, workshops, and community dialogues to support participatory research and community validation.
3. Knowledge Sharing & Publications:
   • Write and co-author peer-reviewed journal articles, contributing to academic scholarship on African indigenous metaphysics and spiritual phenomena.
   • Contribute to ACIPS Feature-Opinion posts, sharing thought leadership and critical reflections on emerging issues in African metaphysics and cultural studies.
   • Contribute to ACIPS’s publications, including newsletters, blog articles, and community reports. Fellows are also encouraged to co-author policy briefs and contribute to public education materials.
   • Participate in academic and public presentations of research findings at relevant events.
4. Strategic Input:
   • Provide feedback and ideas that support ACIPS's strategic planning and research innovation.
   • Represent ACIPS in research-related meetings when applicable.

Working Conditions

• Fellows may be involved in fieldwork, potentially requiring travel to remote locations.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse research team.
• Regular updates and communication with the research team are expected.
• Adherence to ACIPS’s ethical guidelines and research protocols is mandatory.

Term & Commitment

Volunteer Research Fellow roles are generally for an initial term of one year, with the possibility of renewal based on mutual interest and research progress. Average commitment is 10-15 hours per week, with flexibility during intensive fieldwork or writing periods.

Reimbursement & Support

• While the role is voluntary, ACIPS reimburses all approved research-related travel, accommodation, and field recording expenses, following our travel policy.
• Volunteers will be supported with letters of affiliation and mentorship as part of their research development.

Additional Information

• Flexible working hours with advance communication.
• Opportunities for skill development and collaboration across projects.
• ACIPS is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, but we are limited to working mainly with people of African descent and African Spirituality. We are open to working with all qualified individuals who are of African ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Please note: This position is contingent on the availability of resources. Applicants will be kept informed throughout the selection process.

Management
April 2025