Only open to Graduate Students
Background:
The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) is a global network of more than 100 peacebuilding organizations, 1,000 professionals, and more than 15,000 individuals developing processes for change in the most complex conflict environments in the United States and around the world. AfP is a leader in developing and disseminating innovative approaches to peacebuilding. Since its conception of Rewiring the Brain for Peace, AfP has collaborated with organizations such as the El-Hibri Foundation and Beyond Conflict in order to further understanding of how neuroscience can inform the peacebuilding field about spiritual practices and cultural values.
How can the spiritual dimensions of human life help re-wire the brain for peace?
Neuroscience has made great strides in linking certain emotions with violence and mapping their footprints on the physical brain. However, the other side of the equation has been chronically overlooked – namely, how can individual practices reverse the changes to the brain caused by fear and violence? With Rewiring the Brain for Peace, we hypothesize that there exist antidotes to these brain-changes that harness the spiritual dimensions of everyday human lives.
Building upon pioneering neuroscience research on how the brain processes fear and violence, and linking this research to our understanding of contemplative practices and the mind-body-spirit connection, Rewiring the Brain for Peace examines how spiritual rituals, experiences, and values present in different cultures around the world: (1) affect emotional and cognitive processes, (2) contribute to transforming behaviors, attitudes, and relationships, and (3) have the potential to facilitate peacebuilding processes , from violence prevention to reconciliation.
An inter-disciplinary research-action agenda
The project consists of a transdisciplinary group of 40 top-level experts and practitioners from a range of disciplines: neuroscientists and neurobiologists, experimental psychologists, political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, spiritual leaders, and peacebuilders. After an intensive brainstorming phase, the group has decided to pursue three initiatives: Research, Narrative and Mobilization, and Tools for Practice. Participants are now working on these initiatives.
Internship Description:
AfP is seeking a creative, highly motivated Masters or Ph.D. student in communications, peace and conflict studies, or a related field to assist with the development of the Narrative and Mobilization Initiative, as well as the development of their multimedia platform. The aim is to inspire individuals to take an inward journey toward nonviolence and generate a contemplative peace movement that is grounded in neurological research. The multimedia platform will serve to disseminate content that supports our mobilization efforts and give access to tools for practice that are currently under development. The candidate must gain familiarity with literature on neuroscience and spirituality, and must have technological literacy.
This position is a part-time, unpaid internship. A minimum of 16 hours/week is required. The candidate must be based in Washington, D.C. The internship will begin in January 2018, or as soon as a well-qualified person is identified. AfP is willing to work with the successful candidate’s higher education institution for course credit, if applicable.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Support the team in any project related to the Narrative and Mobilization Initiative and its operationalization
- Support the development of content for the multimedia platform and maintain it as needed
- Contribute to the drafting of communication material for the program, as well as summary reports and other internal documents
Qualifications:
- Currently-enrolled graduate student in communications, digital media, conflict studies, or a related field
- Exceptional writing and editing skills with a strong attention to detail
- Ability to work on projects with limited supervision
- Familiarity with or interest in the literature on neuroscience, peacebuilding, and spirituality
- Language skills a plus (Spanish, French, and/or Arabic)
How to Apply:
Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to Kayla Tyler, [email protected]
Files should be labeled “Last, First – Document Type” (e.g. “Twain, Mark—Resume”). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will be filled as soon as a well-qualified person is identified.
The Alliance for Peacebuilding is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes resumes from all qualified applicants, particularly women and minorities. AfP does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, ethnicity, race, or persons with disabilities. Applicant must be an enrolled student and be based in Washington, D.C for the duration of the internship.