Refugee youth often find themselves in precarious positions (insecure housing, lack of social networks, employment restrictions), coupled with financial restrictions this means that many occupy public spaces of cities/towns where they seek refuge. Their presence in public space has however been strongly problematized in Europe. This research project will debate how refugee youth can contribute their own histories, voices and agencies to the development of convivial public spaces and to what extent this can enhance their participation in society. Arts and Cultural Initiatives will be used as an entry point to researching the personal geographies of young refugees and asylum seekers in four European Cities (Newcastle, Leipzig, Brussels and Amsterdam) mapping their migration histories, exploring their post arrival experiences and asking how their placemaking contribute to the transformation of public space.

The international project team is led by Prof. Peter Hopkins (Newcastle University). The Dutch project team is supervised by Dr. Ilse van Liempt who is part of the Urban Geography Department within the Social Urban Transitions (SUT) research programme in the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University. The German team is led by Dr. Kathrin Horschelmann and the Belgian team by Dr. Hassan Bousetta.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who can help us answer the following research questions:

• What role can cultural and arts initiatives play in the lives of refugee youth and in promoting their sense of belonging in the city?
• What role do public spaces play in the lives of refugee youth and how do they experience and negotiate inclusion and exclusion in public space?
• How do refugee youth interact with arrival infrastructures and how do these interactions impact on the different kinds of public spaces that emerge?
• How do refugee youth represent their own stories of home-making (both before, during and after) the process of migration/arrival?


Tasks of the Postdoc

• Search for, review and synthesize the latest literatures relating to the aims and objectives of the project.
• Help develop a methodological toolkit that can be used along respondents’ preferences. The toolkit is a combination of participatory and sensorial methods that help explore refugee youth’s experiences in public space.
• To recruit participants and to organize and undertake data collection in liaison with project collaborators/participants in Amsterdam.
• Use initiative and creativity to identify unanticipated issues that arise from the fieldwork, and to develop and extend the research design accordingly.
• Manage, transcribe and code qualitative data.
• Coordinate the day-to-day running of the project including administration and organize an exhibition based on fieldwork in Amsterdam.
• Disseminate findings from the research by producing publications in scientific journals and delivering presentation at (inter)national conferences and where applicable at nonacademic ‘user’ workshops.

We are looking for an experienced researcher with a background in urban studies, geography, anthropology, sociology, youth studies, gender studies or criminology. The candidate needs to have an excellent track record in the field and a strong interest and experience in qualitative research methods. The candidate needs to be willing to work in an interdisciplinary and international team with three other postdocs in Newcastle, Leipzig and Brussels and is up for collaborating intensively with cultural and art organizations in Amsterdam. Finally, the candidate needs to be proficient in both written and spoken English.

You will initially be offered a temporary position, 80%, for a period of two years. Depending on good performance, the contract may be extended to a total period of three years. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €3,123 and €4,274 gross per month for a full-time employment (scale 10 Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities). Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model).

Facilities for sports and child care are available on our main campus (where the Department is situated), which is located only 15 minutes away from the historical city center of Utrecht. More information is available at: working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University offers a unique environment to study societal challenge as it combines knowledge on energy efficiency, economics, energy policy, behavioral sciences, innovation systems, and knowledge on (sustainable) urban development. The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has its focus on the enhancement of long-term economic developments of cities, how to cope with social inequalities and how to ensure a healthy urban living. Research on these topics takes place within our research programme “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”.

Our research programme is the basis for our research masters Human Geography and Geographical Information Management and Applications and professional masters in Human Geography, International Development Studies and Spatial Planning. The Department runs also a large and highly appreciated bachelors programme and is part of the Netherlands Graduate School of Urban and Regional Research for PhD candidates. Unique characteristics of the Department are a special team focusing on innovations within teaching methods and a center of expertise which brings the knowledge from fundamental research outside our university by educational programmes for high school teachers and professional consultancy for public partners.