Gaza Education Research Virtual Fellowship

The Gaza Education Research Virtual Fellowship (GERVF) is a collaborative research initiative between the Centre for Comparative and International Research in Education (CIRE) and three Virtual Fellows from two universities in Gaza; the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) and Al-Aqsa University.

The GERVF is developed in collaboration with the Emergency Committee of Universities in Gaza (including representatives from IUG, Al-Aqsa, and Al-Azhar Universities) and draws on a model of support outlined in the FOBZU (Friends of Birzeit University) Guide for UK-Palestinian Higher Education collaboration. The initiative is rooted in principles of equity, and academic solidarity. It is interested in unpacking the challenges and opportunities involved in sustaining meaningful academic collaborations across borders in times of crisis.

The Fellowship aims to support scholars in Gaza by providing virtual access to research resources, networking and mentorship, and online professional development workshops. It offers a unique opportunity for these scholars to advance their work despite the profound challenges they face.

The theme for this inaugural Fellowship cohort is “Scholasticide in Gaza” - the targeted destruction of educational institutions and the broader impact on education and scholarly life. Fellows will explore this topic through the lens of their own academic expertise, experiences, and interests.