FAQ - Emerging Experts list
This FAQ (frequently asked questions) is primarily designed for individuals considering being listed as an Emerging Expert by the Forum on the Arms Trade.
We are not currently taking new applications. We anticipate accepting applications for the 2022-2023 program in May 2022.
What kinds of expertise are needed to be included in the Emerging Experts list?
The Forum's Emerging Experts list is open to individuals who have expressed an interest in addressing the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use. Emerging experts generally will be pursuing a master's or doctorate degree, or will already be employed in the field but at an early stage in their career. They may be located anywhere in the world. The Forum actively seeks diversity in the Emerging Experts list, and is keen to identify individuals in regions highly impacted by the arms trade (including the Middle East).
What are emerging experts expected to do as part of the Forum?
Being listed as an emerging expert is meant to help strengthen our community, especially for individuals interested in creating or advancing a career in our field. Emerging experts should be willing to respond to inquiries that come from referrals and engage with other Forum experts. Doing more, such as helping to organize events and taking on leadership and development tasks, is great but is not a prerequisite.
What should emerging experts expect to gain by being listed by the Forum?
In many ways, the Emerging Experts program is meant to meet the needs of its participants, with opportunities offered (but not required) and program elements scheduled based on expressed interests.
Emerging experts are listed on a program web page providing a visible home for public identification. Relevant publications they (co)author are often shared via social media and our "This Week in Arms Trade Publications" newsletter. Emerging experts are also encouraged to participate in the Looking Ahead blog and are added to a private listserv for the Forum's experts, providing an entry point to learning about topics and engaging on them.
Approximately once a month one professional development event will be organized -- a Zoom meeting or other informal event -- in which emerging experts will have personal opportunities to engage with leaders and/or participate in a skills training, typically led by a Forum expert. (An indicative six-month calendar for the 2020 cohort is here.) Beginning in 2021 and in recognition of the importance of UN processes in many areas of work, a special training will be offered around the start of the annual UN General Assembly session to share insights into how work is done via the UN and explore ways emerging experts might engage more fully in it.
Emerging experts are also encouraged to identify other ways that the Forum or Forum experts might help them develop their professional path, and to self-organize conversations and initiatives among themselves.
Do emerging experts have to agree with each other?
Inclusion on any Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Institutional affiliation is indicated for identification purposes only.
What is the best way to apply to be listed?
Applying to be listed as an expert is relatively easy. Interested individuals should send an email as described below:
How are decisions made on who is included in the Forum's Emerging Experts list?
The Forum on the Arms Trade is a cooperative project currently managed by Jeff Abramson, who takes responsibility for decisions on who to include on the Emerging Experts list. In 2021, a small number of current and former emerging experts aided in review and decision-making
How long does the program last?
The intention is for each cohort of emerging experts to be together for about a year, with an annual re-opening and application round taking place in approximately May each calendar year to add new individuals to the program. As a cohort year is nearing completion, Emerging experts are asked if they have a preference for exiting the program, remaining in it, or being considered for invitation to be listed as an expert (see FAQ). Emerging experts may choose to leave the program or they may be invited to be a Forum-listed expert as their careers advance -- thereby exited the program outside of this cycle.
Any emerging Expert who has been in the program for two years will automatically be considered for possible invitation to the Forum's expert list. Recommendations of other experts, especially supervisors/mentors where applicable, as well as a demonstrated track record of independent writing and/or media references are key considerations by the committee in such invitations. While we certainly hope the Emerging Experts program will advance the expertise and career of its participants, all individuals are assessed on their own merits (again, see FAQ).
Who supports the program?
This program is funded by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung New York Office with support from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Forum's work is further supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, without which this program would not be possible.
More questions?
Please contact:
Forum on the Arms Trade
info@ForumArmsTrade.org
(202) 780-6215
We are not currently taking new applications. We anticipate accepting applications for the 2022-2023 program in May 2022.
What kinds of expertise are needed to be included in the Emerging Experts list?
The Forum's Emerging Experts list is open to individuals who have expressed an interest in addressing the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use. Emerging experts generally will be pursuing a master's or doctorate degree, or will already be employed in the field but at an early stage in their career. They may be located anywhere in the world. The Forum actively seeks diversity in the Emerging Experts list, and is keen to identify individuals in regions highly impacted by the arms trade (including the Middle East).
What are emerging experts expected to do as part of the Forum?
Being listed as an emerging expert is meant to help strengthen our community, especially for individuals interested in creating or advancing a career in our field. Emerging experts should be willing to respond to inquiries that come from referrals and engage with other Forum experts. Doing more, such as helping to organize events and taking on leadership and development tasks, is great but is not a prerequisite.
What should emerging experts expect to gain by being listed by the Forum?
In many ways, the Emerging Experts program is meant to meet the needs of its participants, with opportunities offered (but not required) and program elements scheduled based on expressed interests.
Emerging experts are listed on a program web page providing a visible home for public identification. Relevant publications they (co)author are often shared via social media and our "This Week in Arms Trade Publications" newsletter. Emerging experts are also encouraged to participate in the Looking Ahead blog and are added to a private listserv for the Forum's experts, providing an entry point to learning about topics and engaging on them.
Approximately once a month one professional development event will be organized -- a Zoom meeting or other informal event -- in which emerging experts will have personal opportunities to engage with leaders and/or participate in a skills training, typically led by a Forum expert. (An indicative six-month calendar for the 2020 cohort is here.) Beginning in 2021 and in recognition of the importance of UN processes in many areas of work, a special training will be offered around the start of the annual UN General Assembly session to share insights into how work is done via the UN and explore ways emerging experts might engage more fully in it.
Emerging experts are also encouraged to identify other ways that the Forum or Forum experts might help them develop their professional path, and to self-organize conversations and initiatives among themselves.
Do emerging experts have to agree with each other?
Inclusion on any Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Institutional affiliation is indicated for identification purposes only.
What is the best way to apply to be listed?
Applying to be listed as an expert is relatively easy. Interested individuals should send an email as described below:
- Statement of Interest - In 300 words or fewer, describe your interest in one or more topics dealt with by the Forum and your reason(s) for seeking to join the Emerging Expert program.
- Bio - Send a picture and your name, title (or school), twitter account (if any), professional contact information that can be publicly listed (email, phone--if relevant), and a very brief (40 word max) bio that could be added to the Emerging Expert page on the Forum's website.
How are decisions made on who is included in the Forum's Emerging Experts list?
The Forum on the Arms Trade is a cooperative project currently managed by Jeff Abramson, who takes responsibility for decisions on who to include on the Emerging Experts list. In 2021, a small number of current and former emerging experts aided in review and decision-making
How long does the program last?
The intention is for each cohort of emerging experts to be together for about a year, with an annual re-opening and application round taking place in approximately May each calendar year to add new individuals to the program. As a cohort year is nearing completion, Emerging experts are asked if they have a preference for exiting the program, remaining in it, or being considered for invitation to be listed as an expert (see FAQ). Emerging experts may choose to leave the program or they may be invited to be a Forum-listed expert as their careers advance -- thereby exited the program outside of this cycle.
Any emerging Expert who has been in the program for two years will automatically be considered for possible invitation to the Forum's expert list. Recommendations of other experts, especially supervisors/mentors where applicable, as well as a demonstrated track record of independent writing and/or media references are key considerations by the committee in such invitations. While we certainly hope the Emerging Experts program will advance the expertise and career of its participants, all individuals are assessed on their own merits (again, see FAQ).
Who supports the program?
This program is funded by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung New York Office with support from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Forum's work is further supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, without which this program would not be possible.
More questions?
Please contact:
Forum on the Arms Trade
info@ForumArmsTrade.org
(202) 780-6215