Call for Proposals
The Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) for the ASEAN region has issued a call for research proposals from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore on disability inclusive public policy, accessible virtual and distance education, and international education networks.
Background:
The importance of providing equal opportunities for persons with disabilities has been recognized by the international community and within the Asia-Pacific region. Substantial progress can be observed in international and regional agreements on disability rights, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Biwako Millennium Framework. Other initiatives, such as the ASEAN Sociocultural Community, also support the creation of such an inclusive community within the region. The implementation of these agreements will require collaboration within and between the public sector, the private sector, society, states, and regions. It also demands a comprehensive understanding of the barriers that confront persons with disabilities on a daily basis. Further research, education, and cooperation are essential to promote inclusive development and community building.
The Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) for the ASEAN region was formed as a virtual education, capacity building, and research network for the ASEAN region. The IDPP was officially founded by The Nippon Foundation (Tokyo, Japan); the School of International Service at American University (Washington DC, United States); the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore; Mahidol University (Bangkok, Thailand); the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology (New York, United States); the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) (Bangkok, Thailand); and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI). The University of Indonesia (Jakarta); Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines); De La Salle Philippines; the University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia); and the Royal University of Phnom Penh (Cambodia) recently joined these founding institutions as members of the IDPP network. The core mandate of the IDPP is to identify, analyze, recommend, and facilitate disability inclusive public policy both within ASEAN member countries, and globally, to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are protected, and that they have equal opportunities to capitalize on their own capabilities. This request for proposals will mark the inaugural collaborative research initiative of this institute, one of its key objectives. Other key objectives of the IDPP include an online Master’s in Comparative and International Disability Policy, Executive and Continuing Education programs, and Outreach and Capacity Building initiatives.
Research Areas
This call for proposals is geared toward the creation of a comprehensive research agenda for the IDPP. The long term goals for the collaborative research program are dedicated to the development and implementation of disability inclusive public policy, and the further development of the IDPP network and cyberinfrastructure. Given the aforementioned objectives of the IDPP, the core areas of interest for this call for research proposals are:
- International and regional agreements on disability rights and inclusive development, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the ASEAN Sociocultural Community and/or the Biwako Millennium Framework
- Disability inclusive policy and legislation
- Deaf, blind, and mobility studies, and social welfare policy
- Culture and disability or disability culture
- National and regional governance mechanisms for disability rights
- Disabled persons' organizations and transnational advocacy networks
- National censuses and data collection on persons with disabilities
- Regional and international education networks
- Cyberinfrastructure and virtual distance education
- Disability accessible education and technology
- Capacity building for accessibility and disability inclusive development
- Information technology and global governance**
Requirements and Funding
Proposals are invited from faculty and researchers of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on one or more of the research topics detailed above. Each individual may submit only one proposal. Faculty and researchers from other universities and institutions within the IDPP network may also apply for a research grant. All proposals must be sent from institutions affiliated with the IDPP network. Collaborative and interdisciplinary research initiatives are strongly encouraged. The Center for Research on Collaboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities (COTELCO) at American University's School of International Service will work with research teams to facilitate transnational data collection and analysis. COTELCO will also work with geographically-distributed teams to facilitate their research initiatives. Special consideration will be given to proposals that include persons with disabilities in leadership and/or supporting roles on their research teams. Collaboration with disabled persons' organizations (DPOs) and educational institutions with strong social justice programs for persons with disabilities (PWDs) will also merit special consideration. Scholars whose proposals are accepted are expected to present their research at an academic conference and to report their progress to the IDPP network. In addition, grant recipients are expected to submit a comprehensive paper (or book prospectus) on the findings of their research for publication in a peer-reviewed journal within one year of being awarded a research grant from the IDPP. The IDPP Research Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez and Dr. Derrick L. Cogburn, will be responsible for awarding research grants. Grants are available for up to $20,000 (SGD), and will be commensurate with the size of the research team and requirements of the proposed research project.
Projects that prove particularly promising may be eligible for further rounds of support.
Submission Guidelines and Deadline
Proposals must be consistent with the research areas specified above to be considered, and should not exceed 1,000 words. Proposals should include a brief overview of the research question, literature review, tentative theoretical frameworks, methodology, possible data sources, timeframe for the proposed research, detailed budget of planned expenditures, and list of the core research team along with their credentials. All proposals should be sent to Erica Seng at eseng@aseanidpp.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
**The Information and Global Governance series, published by Palgrave Macmillan, has issued a call for book proposals. This series is looking for scholarship on the impact that marked improvements in information and communication technologies (ICT) have on the broad range of global governance processes at the national, regional, and international levels. Submissions are welcomed on the broad array of opportunities and challenges presented by the revolution in ICT for society, politics, economic development, and ICT regulations. Palgrave Macmillan will publish approximately 3-4 books annually within this series. Inquiries and proposals should be sent to Dr. Derrick L. Cogburn, Series Editor and IDPP Executive Director, at dcogburn@american.edu and/or Farideh Koohi-Kamali, Palgrave Macmillian Editorial Director, at farideh.koohi@palgrave-usa.com.
