Introduction to the Sanctuary for Health Justice
Health Justice research agendas and scholar-activism in the US are under threat. From late 2024 until the present day, research and researchers that seek to advance health equity outcomes for historically marginalised communities have been facing existential challenges. The Sanctuary for Health Justice (SHJ), based at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in Brighton, UK, will provide an intellectual "safe space" for US-based health equity scholars who have been faced with significant threats to their work. The program will offer participants the opportunity to slow down and focus on the work they care most about, while also expanding their research horizons, building new relationships and solidarities with fellow US health equity scholars, and across IDS' UK and international networks of development research.
The 2027 SHJ will be an 18-week program that enables a depth of peer-to-peer learning and exchange with IDS staff and students across our diverse range of collaborations and partnerships. The aim of the SHJ is to empower participants to develop actionable strategies for health equity and to successfully develop independent programs of work, supported and strengthened by their engagement with IDS.
We are delighted to launch Phase 2 of the SHJ program and invite applications for residency periods beginning in March 2027. The SHJ is made possible with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Global Fund.
Please note that the SHJ fellowship will be held in person at the Institute of Development Studies in Brighton, UK.
The deadline for submissions to the 2027 SHJ program is the 18th November 2026, midnight GMT. Applicants may then be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing the 14th December. Applicants will be informed of the result of their applications by email, on or before the 22nd December 2026.
Dates and duration of the fellowship: 19th March to 23rd July 2027.
The below eligibility criteria will need to be met by those applying to the call, please ensure you meet the below criteria before you apply for the fellowship:
- Must be currently living in the United States or in the US territories and freely associated states (e.g. the US territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) and be able to demonstrate a significant track record of work focussed on achieving health equity outcomes in the US. If you are not currently living in the US but had been consistently prior to January 2025 this will be permitted.
- Must be legally able to spend 18 weeks living in the UK.
- Must have a terminal degree (PhD, DrPH, MD, JD) or an MSc, MPH or MA and be able to prove equivalent experience (at least 4 years).
- Must be able to outline a clear and feasible set of learning objectives for their time at IDS.
- Must not be receiving more than 25% of their current salary from a RWJF grant.
The Sanctuary for Health Justice is committed to embedding and supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in our work and in all our activities. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, identities, orientations and abilities.