THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOURAL DEVELOPMENT (ISSBD)

THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOURAL DEVELOPMENT (ISSBD) 12^THISSBD AFRICAN REGIONAL WORKSHOP CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

To be hosted by

University of Education, Winneba (UEW); Ghana

From

6^th-9^thNovember, 2017

Theme:

Researching into Adaptive Behaviours in Contexts of Change: Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Approaches for Early Career Scholars in Africa

Introduction

Recently many areas of the world, especially those in Africa, have witnessed rapid changes in the context of human development arising from urbanization, economic development, environmental degradation, and violent conflict. In some cases, these changes have opened new opportunities for positive human development. However, they have also led to the emergence of developmental contexts that place individuals at risk of developing “maladaptive behaviours”. There is a need for research that provides insights into new developmental trajectories that are emerging as a result of the interactions between cultures, rapid technological advancement, environmental change, and conflict that have changed the fabric of African societies and cultures. Effective researchinto these phenomena requires a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approach.

Objectives

The workshop will provide a forum where early career researchers will meet and learn from Senior Scholars. Specifically, the objectives of the workshop will be to:

• Provide an opportunity for learning about theoretical and methodological issues related to research on adaptive and maladaptive development in contexts of change from senior scholars

• Identify gaps in research on adaptive and maladaptive development in contexts of change and to stimulate research to address these gaps

• Provide a forum for training Early Career Scholars on multicultural and interdisciplinary approaches in research methods and procedures

• Provide Early Career Scholars the opportunity to present some of their ongoing research projects and receive constructive feedback and guidance

• Train Early Career Scholars on how to prepare and present posters and papers for international conferences

• Provide an interactive forum for Early Career Scholars via poster workshops, panel discussions and meet the scientist sessions

• Provide an opportunity for ECS to network

• Boost membership of ISSBD and promote ISSBD in the region.

Participants

The expected participants are early and mid-career scholars in human development—that is, individuals who are undertaking their graduate studies such as a PhD and individuals who received a masters or PhD research degree within the past seven years.

Interested individuals are expected to apply to attend the workshop. Applicants are expected to provide:

1. A letter of intent to participate in the workshop

2. an abstract of not more than 250 words describing their current or completed research work

3. a two (2) page curriculum vitae and

4. a reference letter from a senior scientist who is familiar with their research work.

Interested applicants should submit the application form and the three required items as a single PDF or MS Word document. Please ensure that each page of the document has your surname and country as running head.

Completed applications must be received by 31^th March, 2017 and selected applicants will be notified by 28^th April, 2017.

Successful applicants arriving from outside Ghana will receive travel grants which will cover the costs of return air tickets from a major airport in their home country to Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport. Shuttle services from Kotoka International Airport to the workshop venue will be provided and meals and accommodation during the workshop will also be catered for. However, participants will be expected to pay for any travel costs to and from the airport in their home country. In addition, participants requiring visas will be expected to pay for the visas and obtain the visas from the relevant authorities.

Venue and Structure of the Workshop

The venue for the workshop is the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre (J.A.M.C.C.), which is located within University of Education, Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop will run for four days, it will include presentations on research related to Maladaptive Behaviours and Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Approaches in research. Other activities will include research workshops, meet-the-senior scientist sessions, poster presentations and awarding the best poster presentations by a panel of judges. Workshop themes will include:

• Methods of research on the development of adaptive behaviours in contexts of change

• Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Approaches in research

• Writing, publishing and dissemination of research findings

• Practical applications of research

There will be no registration fee for the workshop but all the workshop participants will be expected to renew their annual ISSBD subscription. Non-ISSBD members will be encouraged to join ISSBD and requested to pay an equivalent of $5 which will be submitted to the ISSBD as their membership fee.

Interested individuals should send their complete applications as email attachments to the following email addresses:

issbd2017africanworkshop@uew.edu.gh or issbd2017africanworkshop.gh@gmail.com

Contact Numbers: +233 (0) 233 742 38 or +233 (0) 264 742 389

Organisers

Advisory Committee

1. Prof. Robert Serpell, University of Zambia, Zambia

2. Prof. Ann Peterson, Michigan University

3. Prof. Julie Robinson, Flinders University, Australia

4. Prof. Paul Oburu, Maseno University, Kenya

5. Prof. Esther Akinsola, University of Lagos, Nigeria

6. Prof. Kofi Marfo, Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University,

7. Dr. Maureen Mweru, Early Childhood Studies Department, Kenyatta University,