International: Call for applications for Sexuality and Internet research project

Application Deadline: 29 March 2009
Notification of Acceptance: 6 April 2009

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Context of the study
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This research is addressed from two related but different directions:
* Online practices and internet use in identified digital spaces, and >how they affect notions of sexuality rights in society at large.
* The impact of regulatory policies and censorship practices on sexualities, sexual health and sexual rights.

A feminist research methodology that centres women's lived experiences and gender relations is to be employed.

The study population of this research focuses on networks, communities and groups working on sexual rights. In particular, attention will be paid to communities at the margins of sexual rights, including young women and girls, and women of diverse sexualities.

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Call for country research proposal applications
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We are calling for research proposals from the following countries:
* South Africa
* Brazil
* Iran or Egypt
* United States of America

The research period is from April 2009 to December 2010, including data collection, analysis, writing, participation in cross-country analysis and implementation of communications and advocacy strategies. The research budget is up to USD20,000 per country, which includes all costs related to the research for its entire duration.

We accept applications from individuals and organisations. You can also apply as a research team. All applications should identify a lead researcher. Researchers must be residing in the identified country during the course of the research. The lead researcher is expected to participate in three research-related workshops. The first workshop will be held in the first week of May 2009, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Tasks:
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To conduct a country level research on the area of content regulation on the internet and sexuality, that involves the following tasks:
* Assessing the current state of affairs through analysis of relevant literature, methodologies and policies;
* Identifying key research questions, thematic areas, trends, study populations, participants and partners;
* Development and implementation of a research framework in collaboration with the project team;
* Conducting primary and secondary research, including data collection, consultative analysis and write ups of case studies and country level report ;
* Establishing partnerships with sexual rights organisations and/or networks in the development, implementation and communications and advocacy strategies of the research;
* Actively participating in a collaborative and peer review cross-country research process;

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Scope:
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* Key regional and national policy documents and analysis, literature, research reports and other relevant documents concerning internet content regulation and sexuality.
* Norms, discourse, agreements and practices on online community spaces and platforms that are popular within the country for sexual expression and socialising.
* Identification of study population, range of stakeholders and interviews with key informants, in particular communities at the margins of sexual rights, sexual rights and communication rights advocates and policy makers.
* The research should examine the following key topics: expression of sexuality in online spaces, the internet and exercise of sexual rights, the construction of 'harm', intersections between sexual rights and communication rights, censorship of sexual content, materials and practices online.
* Participation in planning, consultative, communications and strategy activities.

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Final report & outputs:
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* Data from primary and secondary research.
* Case studies that illustrate critical issues in the research area.
* An exploratory article on the critical issues raised on to the research area in the country.
* A written analytical country report on internet content regulation practices and developments and its impact on women's sexual expression, sexualities, exercise of sexual rights and sexual health practices.

The scope of the work, research framework, methodology and the format of the final report will be further defined in collaboration with the project team.

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Deliverables:
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* 10 November 2009: Initial findings of the research. First draft of case studies.
* 1 January 2010: Exploratory article to be published in GenderIT.org
* 28 February 2010: First draft of the report of the study.
* 30 April 2010: Submission of final version of the country report, and final version of case studies.
* May to December 2010: Participation in cross-country research process, communications and advocacy strategies.

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To apply
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All applications (or any questions) should be sent to si-research@apcwomen.org with the subject title 'Country Research Application' by 29 March 2009.

Applications should comprise of:
1) A country research proposal (3 pages maximum), which includes:
** A brief outline of approach to the research;
** Proposed methodological approaches, particularly in relation to primary data collection and ethical risks;
** Initial list of identified spaces, resources and stakeholders that will be included in the research;
** Initial list of sexuality rights organisations, communities and networks that will be partners or key resources in the research;
2) Curriculum vitae of lead researcher and research team members (if applicable) with relevant experience and skills, including previous research projects and sexuality rights network affiliated or connected with;
3) A letter stating why you are interested in this call;

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Qualifications
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Successful applicants should have:
* Experience in conducting medium to large-scale research (national or regional), with the following skills included:
** primary data collection and analysis;
** feminist research methodology applied;
** research experience on the issue of sexuality rights with direct stakeholders and awareness of ethical risks involved, particularly with young people;
** working in a collaborative research environment.
* Expertise and experience in policy and gender analysis;
* Excellent understanding on the theme of censorship and internet, and on communication rights;
* Excellent understanding of sexuality rights;
* Affiliation with sexuality rights networks;
* Proficiency in English, including the ability to write clearly in accessible English.
* Ability to read in country-related languages.

Successful applicants will be notified by 6 April 2009.

The Association for Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) Sexuality and the Internet Research.
si-research@apcwomen.org