Applications are now open for the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) programme for social-change leaders who are working to tackle inequality. Policymakers, researchers, activists, practitioners, artists, and movement-builders from around the world are invited to apply to the innovative, fully-funded, and inequalities-focused fellowship programme based at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Currently recruiting for its ninth cohort, the AFSEE Fellowship is aimed at mid-career social-change leaders who have at least seven years of experience in challenging inequalities. Applications are accepted from individuals working on any field of social and economic equity, including, but not limited to economic and social rights; sustainability and environmental justice; tax justice and economic alternatives; women’s, minority, and disability rights; rights to education; public policy; housing and urban inequalities; labour rights; community organising; arts and culture; and peacebuilding and transitional justice.
Launched in 2017, the AFSEE Programme aims to build a 400-strong inspiring community of Fellows over two decades. In its first eight cohorts, the programme has brought together 134 change-makers from 55 countries across the globe.
The AFSEE Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for change-makers who are working to address social and/or economic inequalities to have time and space to reflect on their work and to refocus. The fellowship gives them a chance to engage in learning, develop and build skills, community and networks, and to be supported in strengthening their ability to make a significant impact in the future.Professor Armine Ishkanian, AFSEE Executive Director
The AFSEE Fellowship, which offers both Residential and Non-Residential tracks, begins with an active fellowship year that offers an intensive period of learning and skills-building carried out in LSE’s research-rich environment informed by dialogic pedagogy and co-creation.
Fellows on the Residential track spend one year in London undertaking the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science degree at LSE, as well as participating in the programme’s four bespoke fellowship modules over the course of the year. The modules feature contributions from academics, practitioners, campaigners, and civil society professionals, and focus on the foundations of social and economic inequalities, policy for equity, challenging and transforming inequality, and debates around inequality.
The active fellowship year was a period of co-learning and encountering challenging questions about equality and justice. Being in AFSEE’s inclusive and stimulating space was a unique opportunity for me to develop my knowledge and research skills, share my ideas, and learn from Fellows, AFSEE team, and scholars at LSE.Hamidreza Vasheghanifarahani, AFSEE Fellow (2023-24 Cohort)
Fellows on the Non-Residential track remain in their home countries and work contexts during the active fellowship year, develop a practice-based project and join their Residential counterparts online and in person for the fellowship modules. Non-Residential Fellows will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Economic Equity upon successful completion of the active fellowship year.
I emerged from the active fellowship year not just enlightened, but emboldened, as well as reminded of the transformative power of dialogue, collaboration, and solidarity. It feels less like an ending and more like the beginning of a lifelong commitment to creating positive change.Rhomir Yanquiling, AFSEE Fellow (2023-24 Cohort)
After the active fellowship year, Fellows start their Senior Fellowship journeys, where they have access to a variety of funding, initiatives, and collaborative projects to support their professional development, learning, and knowledge exchange, and to expand their networks. They also join the wider Atlantic Fellows community made up of members of all seven Atlantic Fellows programmes worldwide.
Applications for the 2025-26 Cohort will close at 5pm (UK time) on 10 January 2025.
Banner Image: Illustration by Hansel Obando