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18/10/2018 - 14:53

A 4.1 m Euro grant to train the Next Generation of Disability Rights Researchers

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Scholars in the field of disability studies at the University of Iceland are among the participants in a European-wide training network for early stage researchers in the field of disability rights that has received €4.1m in funding from the European Commission’s Marie Curie programme, the equivalent of 530 m Ikr. The aim of the project is to co-ordinate the study of law and disability studies in research on the development of legislation, policy making and the human rights of the disabled, with an eye to ensuring the active participation and rights of this group in society. 

This network is known as the DARE Project (Disability Advocacy and Research for Europe) and will be co-ordinated by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway, with the collaboration of 7 partner institutions: the Institute for Social and Political Sciences (Portugal) , Maastricht University (Netherlands), University of Leeds (UK), the European Disability Forum, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities, the University of Iceland and Swiss Paraplegic Research.

Fifteen Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be recruited for doctoral studies across the network on a full-time basis over three years starting in September 2019. They will explore and develop recommendations for disability law and policy reform in light of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the convention was ratified by Iceland in 2016. All of the researchers will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable and funded work experience with leading civil society and public service organisations in Europe. 

Three ESRs will start doctoral studies in disability studies in Iceland. Rannveig Traustadóttir, professor in disability studies, co-ordinates the programme at the University of Iceland. Rannveig and her colleagues will receive a total of 70 m Ikr. for the work. “Participating in this extensive project is of great value to us and provides us with contacts to leading activist and scientific organisations internationally in the field of disability,” says Rannveig and adds that she hopes that young Icelandic academics will apply. “We need young people with the knowledge and the skill to make the new convention operational in Iceland,” she concludes. 
Further information provided by Rannveig Traustadóttir, (rannvt@hi.is).
 

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