CODESRIA
The Guy Mhone Memorial Essay Competition in Development Research
A Call for Entries

Background:

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites entries from scholars based in universities and centers of research in Africa in respect of the annual development research essay competition it has endowed in memory of the late Professor Guy Mhone. Mhone, who died on 01 March, 2005 was, during his life time, one of the leading development thinkers on Africa. Trained as a professional Economist, he drew equally from his deep knowledge of the discipline and the insights he gained from other disciplines of the Social Sciences and Humanities to construct a unique inter-disciplinary critique of the challenges confronting the African continent. It was this investment in inter-disciplinarity, together with the critical edge of much of his output that was at the root of the originality which marked his scholarship. From his theory of enclavity within which he explored the nature and consequences of the center-periphery relationship between South Africa and the labour reserve economies of Southern Africa, and his thoughts on the informal sector of African economies, to his assessment of the role which the state could play in turning the table of underdevelopment in Africa, and his commitment – intellectual and practical - to the pursuit of development alternatives, Mhone successfully broke new grounds in our thinking on Africa for which we are the richer. He did so with his unique blend of theory and practice which saw him at different points in his career contributing as a teacher and researcher, as well as serving, with distinction, in several policy advisory roles.

Theme and Eligibility:

The memorial essay on development research is one of the ways in which CODESRIA has sought both to draw attention to the contributions of Mhone and encourage a younger generation of scholars interested in development questions to draw inspiration from his works. 2008 marks the second year of the competition and is focused on a theme that was dear to Mhone, namely, Trade and Industrial Policies for Africa in the Age of Globalisation. Younger researchers who are either currently undertaking postgraduate studies in African universities or who have completed their doctorate degrees at any time during the last five years are invited to enter the competition by submitting essays on this theme. The essays should not be more than 15,000 words, inclusive of all references. They could explore any aspect of the challenges of promoting trade and industrial policies in Africa in the age of globalisation that authors wish to focus upon. Theoretical and/or empirical contributions are equally welcome. Furthermore, the essays may be submitted in hard copy or electronically and in English or French. Candidates entering themselves into the competition should also forward their CVs to CODESRIA and clearly indicate their current institutional affiliation. The Council will reserve the right to verify the eligibility of the candidates according to the criteria described in this announcement.

Selection Process:

All essays submitted for consideration for the award of a prize under the competition will be blind-reviewed by an independent selection committee of eminent scholars with an established and acknowledged record in development research. All those who submitted entries for consideration will be notified of the results of the evaluation undertaken by the Selection Committee once it completes its assignment. The Committee will be mandated to select up to three prize winners from among entries received, ranking them in an order of merit.

Reward for Winning Entries:

The three winning essays adjudged by the Selection Committee to be the best will be offered cash prizes of between USD1,000 and USD2000 depending on their ranking. The essays will also be published by the Council in English and French within its Intervention Series for younger scholars. Furthermore, the authors of the winning essays will be invited to participate as fully sponsored presenters in the international conference on public sector reforms which CODESRIA is hosting in Lusaka, Zambia, in June 2008.

Submission Dates and Procedure:

All entries for the competition should be received by CODESRIA no later than 30 April, 2008. Entries received after the closing date will not be processed for consideration by the Selection Committee. Entries should be sent to:
CODESRIA,
(The Guy Mhone Memorial Essay Competition in Development Research),
BP 3304, CP 18524,
Dakar, Senegal.
Tel.: +221 33 825 98 22/23
Fax: +221 33 824 12 89
E-mail: [email][email protected]
Website: http://www.codesria.org