Weaving the baskets of HOPE: Exploring psychosocial reintegration pathways for children affected by the Boko Haram protracted armed conflict and crisis in North-East Nigeria

ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) collaborative doctoral studentship.

The School of Education Childhood Youth and Sports (ECYS), The Open University with International Alert

 

SUPERVISORS

Dr Margaret Ebubedike, The Open University

Kingsley Udo, International Alert

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Weaving the baskets of HOPE, investigates the psychosocial reintegration of children affected by the protracted Boko Haram conflict in North East Nigeria. It responds to the mandate set out in Article 39 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which calls for the psychological recovery and social reintegration of children exposed to armed violence. Although global attention has been drawn to high profile cases such as the abductions in Chibok and Dapchi, the emotional and psychosocial consequences for children remain significantly under explored. Research to date shows that conflict has disrupted family life, schooling, community structures and the core conditions necessary for healthy childhood development. In many low- and middle-income countries the dominant focus has been on education recovery, while the wider psychosocial needs of children have received limited attention. This leaves a critical gap in understanding how trauma, wellbeing and resilience shape reintegration outcomes in everyday life.

The project seeks to address this gap by generating new knowledge about how children and their caregivers understand and experience trauma and recovery, and by identifying culturally grounded practices that can promote healing and support reintegration. It adopts a mixed methods design that brings together quantitative analyses of large programme datasets with qualitative and participatory research involving children, caregivers, community leaders, service providers and policy actors. Access to relevant datasets is guaranteed through collaboration with International Alert, and in country partners will provide support with community engagement, ensuring that the study remains feasible and ethically grounded.

The use of participatory approaches such as storytelling, drawing and visual mapping will allow children to share their experiences in ways that are safe and meaningful.

The project findings will be relevant not only to Northeast Nigeria but also to the wider Lake Chad region. They will inform policymakers, humanitarian agencies and social protection programmes seeking to strengthen reintegration pathways and support children to reclaim agency and wellbeing after conflict. We welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds in psychology, education, international development, social policy, anthropology, sociology or related areas. Experience or interest in mixed methods research, participatory approaches or work in fragile or conflict affected settings would be an advantage. This project will suit a candidate committed to producing research that supports the rights and recovery of vulnerable children.

 

PARTNERSHIP

This project is delivered in collaboration with International Alert, a leading peacebuilding and development organisation with nearly four decades of experience working in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Under the guidance of the Country Director, Kingsley Udo, International Alert brings extensive expertise in child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, peacebuilding, and community resilience in Northeast Nigeria. The organisation will play a central role in grounding the PhD within real-world practice by co-supervising the doctoral researcher, advising on ethical and methodological approaches, and facilitating access to programme sites, service datasets, and key stakeholders. Through its established training programmes, practitioner forums, research outputs, and media platforms, International Alert provides a rich environment for learning, engagement, and dissemination. This partnership ensures that the research remains contextually relevant, ethically sound, and positioned to influence policy and practice on psychosocial reintegration for conflict-affected children.

 

STUDENTSHIP DETAILS

The PhD studentship will be funded by the Grand Union DTP for an expected 3.5 years (or part-time equivalent) from October 2026.  The award length offered may differ depending on the candidate’s prior training and how they meet ESRC training requirements.

Information about Grand Union DTP ESRC studentships and eligibility can be found on the Grand Union DTP website. 

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

12:00 midday UK time on 7th January 2026

 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the studentship you must submit:

  1. A cover letter outlining why the proposed project is an important area of study, how your background relates to the selected research topic and why you wish to study at The Open University.

  2. An outline research proposal of no more than 2,000 words, including background to the research topic, proposed research questions, methodology and methods. Your proposal can draw on the description of the research detailed above.

  3. An academic CV that includes contact details of three academics.

  4. An Open University application form and HESA form, downloadable from:  http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/research-degrees/how-to-apply/mphil-and-phd-application-process

  5. A Grand Union DTP Application form, downloadable from: https://www.granduniondtp.ac.uk/how-apply#tab-1440826

Applications should be sent to WELS-PGRs@open.ac.uk by midday on 7th January 2026.

The admissions process is in two parts: applications will be assessed by the institution and the selected candidate will then be assessed as part of the applicant pool for ESRC Grand Union DTP funding.

 

QUERIES

Queries about the studentship should be addressed to: Dr Margaret Ebubedike (Margaret.Ebubedike@open.ac.uk)