2023 ECHIDNA GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Echidna Global Scholars Program’s Visiting Fellowship is hosted by the Center for Universal Education (CUE), within the Global Economy and Development program, at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. The Global Economy and Development program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate on how to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress. The program’s research agenda is related to policies and trends affecting developing countries including global poverty, universal education, the global middle class, fragile states, globalization, inequality, foreign assistance and development effectiveness. As part of the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution, the Center for Universal Education develops and disseminates effective solutions for quality education and skills development. It offers a forum for research, high-level dialogue, and public debate on a range of issues relevant to education, with a particular focus on the Global South. CUE envisions a world where all children and youth have the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century and plays a critical role in influencing the development of policy related to global education, promoting actionable strategies for governments, civil society and private enterprise.

The Echidna Global Scholars Program (the Program) aims to strengthen the capacity of local leaders to advance gender equality in and through education across the Global South. During a six-month Fellowship at Brookings, Scholars conduct individual research focused on improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender non-conforming people, develop their leadership and evidence-based policy skills, build substantive knowledge on gender and global education issues, and expand their pathways for impact. Upon completion of the fellowship, scholars transition to the Echidna Alumni Network, a growing community of practice aimed at promoting their significant, sustained, and collective influence on gender-transformative education globally and locally. 

Since its inception in 2012, the Echidna Global Scholars Program has hosted eleven cohorts of fellows and serves an alumni network of 37 scholars from 21 different countries. 

The Fellowship consists of two phases: 

1. Pre-residency: sets the basis for the research training, leadership, and strategic impact components of the program. With the support of CUE fellows, scholars begin an intensive period of in-country data collection and analysis, accompanied by a series of virtual workshops, group working meetings, and individual advisory sessions. Scholars are introduced to the leadership concepts and tools that will be the focus of the leadership development program throughout the Fellowship and begin developing their impact strategy, identifying and engaging with local stakeholders. 

1. Residency: the residency period in Washington, DC focuses primarily on expanding Scholars’ reach and impact through publication and dissemination of Scholars’ research on Brookings’s multimedia platforms, strategic impact capacity building, leadership development, and networking. The residency phase is designed to help scholars strengthen their impact by teaching best practices for analyzing, communicating, and leveraging research for policy contexts and key audiences, as well as expanding Scholars’ networks and promoting visibility through Brookings convenings and strategic collaborations, culminating in the Girls’ Education Research and Policy Symposium. 

In addition, during the two-year period following residency, the CUE team provides targeted support to alumni as they implement action plans in their home countries. Through impact planning, strategic advisement and leadership development work, CUE aims to enable Scholars to leverage the knowledge, skills, and connections built throughout the Fellowship to catalyze change in their contexts.  

The Echidna Global Scholars Program is part of CUE’s broader efforts to catalyze and sustain collaborative action to achieve quality education for all, seeking to build the evidence base on girls’ education policies and programs in low- and middle-income countries throughout the Global South. Given the Echidna Global Scholars’ understanding of the complex dynamics within their own communities, they are often best suited to craft strategies and solutions that address context-specific barriers and engage local decision-making bodies for long-term change. To that end, the research and impact plans of the Echidna Global Scholars contribute to an important process of evidence-based policy development. Moreover, the capacity and professional development they undergo during the Fellowship helps to strengthen a leadership pipeline for girls’ education leaders around the world.  

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff and visitors to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.  

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation.  Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.   

Once selected to participate in the Fellowship, Echidna Global Scholars will spend approximately two months in pre-residency, working remotely from their home countries, followed by three and a half months in residency at The Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. During this time, Scholars will work with the Center for Universal Education to complete a uniquely developed research project and strategy for policy impact designed to increase the evidence base and improve learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls and young women in their countries. 

Following their time in residence in Washington DC, Scholars will be supported in the implementation of activities in their local context that build on the findings of their research and will join a growing alumni network of global leaders working to change the lives of girls and young women in countries and regions throughout the world. 

The Fellowship is a full-time, exclusive commitment during the residency period and a substantial commitment during the pre-residency period. The Program expects Echidna Global Scholars to: 

• Conduct professional, in-depth research, write an evidence-based policy paper, and present their research and policy recommendations at Brookings organized events. 

• Participate in individual and collective capacity strengthening and capacity sharing activities, including the leadership development program, as well as individual and group reflections.  
• Develop a post-residency project proposal with the intent of expanding the impact of their research upon return to their home country. 
• Interact professionally with other Brookings scholars and community members and be active participants in Brookings events (organizational meetings, informal discussions, seminars, presentations, private and public events), particularly those of CUE and Global Economy and Development. 
• Engage with key actors from the extended research, practice, and policy community within their home countries, in and around Washington, DC, and globally, by participating in additional meetings and conferences, and networking with the broader development community.  

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

The Program selects professionals with substantial experience in and ties to the Global South, a clear intent to return to the Global South after completing the period of residency at Brookings, and a passion and demonstrated commitment to improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender non-conforming people in and through education.  

Applicants should have a background in education, gender and/or women studies, development, public policy, economics, or a related area, with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in research/academia, non-governmental, community or civil society organizations, or government. Candidates with experience in both academic or government settings and community organizations are especially encouraged to apply. A Master’s degree is required. 

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Successful applicants will have an intimate understanding of education development issues and gender, strong analytical and writing skills, the ability to collaborate with others, openness to give and receive feedback, and the capacity and desire to learn with speed and flexibility.  All Echidna Global Scholars must demonstrate proficiency in English.  

Priority areas for 2023:  

The Echidna Global Scholars Program welcomes applications from leaders in girls’ education from the Global South. In line with recent research on the status of gender and education globally (for example, EGER, 2021), applicants working in the following areas will be given special consideration for the Program in 2022:  

• Geographic priorities: West Africa, South Asia, Central America; countries and regions marked by conflict and crisis, as well as those with high levels of gender-based violence, child marriage and early childbearing.  
• Targeted actors and communities of interest: Girls, young women, and gender non-conforming people living in poverty; homeless/street children; Indigenous, migrant, displaced, or nomadic populations; out of school children; and LGBTQ+ youth.  
• Research priorities: Echidna Global Scholars’ research topics must be focused on education priorities for girls and young women, as they are relevant in their specific contexts, and build off a gender transformative framework, seeking to actively challenge discriminatory social norms and/or increase girls’ or young women’s agency. Special priority will be given to projects that focus on ensuring learning and skill development (as opposed to a primary or sole focus on access/enrollment/ attainment); improving life outcomes, for example by supporting transitions to higher education and employment; and research that focuses on the following key questions: 
  1. What are the most important barriers to receiving a high-quality education, and how do those barriers differ for girls, women and gender non-conforming people?  
  2. What are the most effective policies or programs to address those barriers? 
  3. How does Covid-19 change what we know about the barriers for these populations and the solutions for addressing them? 

Applicants who have not worked explicitly on girls’ education previously are welcome to apply but should include an explanation of how this focus on improving learning opportunities and outcomes for girls, young women and gender non-conforming people can be integrated successfully into their current and future work. 

Apply Now