From Field to Journal

Offering two grants to Monash Law alumni working in human rights to publish an academic paper.

The Castan Centre will award $4000 bursaries to two Monash Law alumni working in the field of human rights to publish an academic paper of between 6000 and 8000 words on a topic related to their work.  Successful candidates will be granted the title Castan Centre Honorary Associate and will be provided with support and advice to enable them to complete their paper within the timeline. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for this prestigious opportunity by 18 November 2011.

The Field to Journal bursaries are being offered for the first time in 2011/12 and are supported by a three year grant from the Alan and Elizabeth Finkel Foundation.

Why is the Castan Centre undertaking this project?

In the course of its work, the Castan Centre liaises with many outstanding, committed people working in the broad field of human rights. Often these people have implemented human rights law and theory in their work and have the knowledge to evaluate the application of human rights in practical situations.  The Field to Journal project aims to give field workers with the best ideas and analyses of current human rights issues the assistance needed to engage with the human rights community by publishing in academic journals.

Field to Journal complements the Castan Centre's public engagement: while our policy and public education programs endeavour to make academic work accessible to the general public, Field to Journal seeks to make the ideas of field workers more accessible to academics and others working in the human rights field.  In short, this program helps to fulfil the Castan Centre's aim of breaking down barriers between different groups of people who work in human rights, or have a strong interest in the area. For this reason, the successful candidates will also be given the opportunity (if appropriate) to engage with the Centre's broader constituency by contributing a shorter piece for publication on the Centre's blog site or in Rapporteur, its bi-annual newsletter.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Applicants must:

1. Be an alumnus of the Monash Law Faculty.
   
   Applicant must have completed an undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate degree in the Monash Law Faculty. Applicants are not required to be Australian citizens, have residency status or be living in Australia.
   
   
2. Be working as an employee or intern in the human rights field (whether in Australia or overseas), or have completed such an assignment in the previous 12 months. 
   
   The "international human rights field" includes any area of work with a strong connection to human rights, including human rights advocacy organisations, international and local community or development organisations, multilateral organisations such as the United Nations and international criminal or human rights courts, tribunals and other bodies.
   
   
3. Have completed their first law degree less than 15 years ago.
   
   

4. Apply as an individual.
   
   Joint applications are not permitted.

5. Have an outstanding academic history.

   Applicants will be expected to have an average of 65% in their law studies. This criteria may be modified in exceptional circumstances.

6. Demonstrate that they have the ability to write a 6000-8000 word paper of academic quality. 

   Applicants will be required to submit a sample of academic writing such as a research paper, thesis or published work.

7. Demonstrate that their idea addresses a human rights topic which is worthy of being included in a high-quality academic journal.

8. Demonstrate that they have the ability to complete the paper within the timeline.

9. Not have been awarded a Field to Journal bursary in the past (this criteria will be relevant for future years of the Field to Journal project).

What is expected of me?

If successful, you must:

• Make yourself available for an initial discussion with your referee within a month of accepting your position as an Honorary Associate.
  
• Devote sufficient time to produce a draft paper by Friday 30 April 2012.
  
• Address all issues raised by the referee regarding the draft paper.
  
• Produce a final version for publication by Thursday 31 May 2012 (the version must be certified as appropriate for the final instalment of your bursary to be paid).
  
• Submit the paper for publication in accordance with the referee's suggestions. If the first submission is rejected by a journal, you must submit to at least one more journal in consultation with the referee.
  
• Produce a shorter piece of work on the same subject as the paper, or a related subject, for the Castan Centre newsletter or blog, or another appropriate forum, if requested.

What support will I receive from the Castan Centre?

The Castan Centre will:

• Provide an upfront payment of $2000 to you once you accept the position as an Honorary Castan Centre Associate and a second payment of $2000 to you once you submit a final version of your paper to the Castan Centre (subject to the referee certifying that your final version is satisfactory).
  
  
• Arrange for a suitable referee to provide advice.
  
  The referee, who will be a Monash Law academic, will offer preliminary advice to you at an early stage, and then review and comment on a final draft of your paper.  The referee will not provide ongoing advice as you will be expected to independently prepare a paper for publication without significant independent input.
  
  
• Arrange for you to have access to Monash University's full online research resources.
  
  
• Provide advice on where to publish the paper.
  
  The Centre will make arrangements to publish the paper as an occasional paper on the Castan Centre website if it is not accepted for publication elsewhere, subject to the referee certifying your final version as satisfactory.
  
  
• Raise your profile by enabling you, if appropriate, to publish a shorter work in the Centre's bi-annual newsletter, Rapporteur, or on its blog site (http://castancentre.wordpress.com/).  The Centre will also publish profiles of all recipients in Rapporteur and on the Castan Centre website.
  
  
• Establish an ongoing link with you by including you as a Castan Centre alumnus.

Is the Bursary taxable?

We are unable to provide taxation advice on individual circumstances, however it is likely that a bursary will be treated as taxable income by the Australian Taxation Office.

What is the timeline for the Project?

The main dates for the project are:

• Monday 18 November  2011: applications close.
• December 2011: successful applicants advised of their outcome.
• Monday 30 April  2012: draft paper due.
• Thursday 31 May 2012: final paper due.

How can I apply?

Applicants must submit:

• An application form including a detailed abstract and proposed structure for their proposed paper.
• A  curriculum vitae.
• A transcript of results for all law degrees.
• A writing sample, preferably on law, whether published or unpublished, of between 1000 words and 2000 words (the sample can be part of a longer piece).

Applications must be received via email at castan.centre@monash.edu by midnight 18 November 2011 (Melbourne time).