PhD fellowship within the project JUSTHIS – History education for reconciliation and Justice

The positionMF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society announces a PhD fellowship within the research project JUSTHIS – History education for reconciliation and Justice: Difficult history in divided societies. The starting date for the PhD fellowship will be as soon as possible after March 1st. 2026.A PhD position should lead to a completed PhD degree. The position is a fully funded, fulltime, fixed term position over 3 years.The position is open to applicants with projects relevant to one or several of the work packages in the JUSTHIS project. The work packages are described in detail here. Please contact the Project leader for any questions about the development of the proposal or queries about the alignment within the project.About The ProjectJUSTHIS explores how history is taught in classrooms across the Middle Nile Valley – Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan – where conflict and division have shaped both past and present. The researchers behind JUSTHIS are working closely with teachers across the Nile Valley to understand what actually happens in classrooms when they teach “difficult history” – topics like war, colonization, and ethnic conflict. They’re analyzing curricula and textbooks, and observing history teaching to see how history is presented and what challenges teachers face.While research often highlights the importance of teaching history from multiple perspectives, many teachers and accessible textbooks rely on single narratives that can reinforce stereotypes and deepen divides. JUSTHIS puts teachers at the center, recognizing their crucial role in shaping how young people understand the past and imagine the future. Through curriculum and textbook analysis, classroom observation, and collaboration with educators, JUSTHIS investigates how multiperspectivity can support reconciliation and justice. The goal is to develop shared, sustainable teaching methods that help teachers navigate complex histories and promote peace – both regionally and globally.RequirementsThe PhD candidate will contribute to the JUSTIS-project and be a central member of the core research team. Added to the formal requirements, we are looking for a candidate with the following competencies:advanced Arabic language skillsknowledge of the field of education studies, broadly definedknowledge of Ethiopian history Residency in Oslo is a requirement. Hiring is dependent on admission to MF's PhD program. Completion of this program and satisfactory progression throughout the employment period are conditions that have to be fulfilled. MF expects that project progress and writing production are satisfactory throughout the employment period. There will be a mid-way evaluation of the project.The successful candidate is expected to work in accordance with MF’s aims and profile.