u'GOOD Research Programme – Informational Webinar on the Call for Expressions of Interest

The u’GOOD research programme seeks to accelerate research into the wellbeing of young people, particularly those who live in the Global South. More specifically, it seeks to draw on the recent exciting insights and advances in scholarship on relational wellbeing (RWB). u’GOOD seeks to: 1) centre relationality in studying and understanding human wellbeing, 2) foreground experiences and theory development from Global South contexts, and 3) recognise young people as a growing priority around the world, and as agents in solving problems which concern them.

The u’GOOD call for expressions of interest opened on 22 January 2024 and invites short concept notes that centre young people and relational wellbeing with a focus on: one or more of the four thematic areas of the Call, namely:

• Young people and livelihoods, mental health, digitalisation, and/or climate change; and/or
• Address the more conceptual basis of RWB.

Principal investigators must be in possession of a PhD and may either be emerging researchers (up to seven years post-PhD) or established researchers (eight-plus years post-PhD) and must be based at a research institution (i.e. university or public sector research institute). Project teams must be based in one of the 12 focus countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Vietnam), be part of the diaspora of one of the 12 focus countries, or must show that they work in one of the countries even if they are affiliated to or based at an institution outside of the focus countries.

Project teams are expected to include non-academic research partners (e.g. from non-governmental organisations, community groups, industry, government agencies, etc.) and to foster wellbeing, co-creation, and co-learning. These partnerships must extend beyond the life and scope of the project. Non-academic institutions cannot lead the project or serve as PIs.

The informational webinar seeks to:

1. Summarise key theoretical aspects of the research call
2. Create greater clarity of the u’GOOD application process, timelines and procedures for application and transparency on the evaluation process for prospective applicants
3. Gather information on system or technical difficulties that will form the basis of developing a set of FAQs

Programme

Facilitator: Dr. Angelique Wildschut, Research Director at HSRC and Livelihoods Academic Lead

1. 14:30 – 14:45 – A short introduction to the u’GOOD research programme and its structure | Prof. Sharlene Swartz (HSRC)
2. 14:45 – 15:10 – Summary and key elements of the research call | Dr. Zolani Dyosi (NRF)

3. 15:10 – 15:30 – Process for application and evaluation. NRF Connect as system, how to navigate, where to direct technical queries and how to resolve? | Mr. Jan Phalane and Ms. Nkateko Maringa (NRF)

4. 15:30 – 15:45 – Summary and explanation of how to use OurSpace as platform for matchmaking. | Mr. Krish Chetty (HSRC)

5. 15:45 – 16:30 – Facilitated discussion and closure

The session will be facilitated by Dr. Angelique Wildschut. The u’GOOD Academic leader, Prof. Sharlene Swartz will provide a short introduction to u’Good!? and share key conceptual underpinnings of the call and the programme structure. Dr. Zolani Dyosi will take the audience through the key elements of the research call. Mr. Jan Phalane and Ms. Nkateko Maringa will introduce the NRF application process and system. Mr. Krish Chetty will introduce the utilisation of OurSpace, a platform to support matchmaking. The audience will then have an opportunity to pose questions. This session will feed into the compilation of an initial set of FAQs, which will be captured and posted on OurSpace and the u’GOOD project webpage. The session will close with the re-sharing of information on key contacts and where to direct conceptual, process and technical queries during the EoI phase.