Professionals dedicated to protecting children through research, evidence, and data now have an outstanding opportunity to join one of the world’s leading international child protection initiatives. Childlight, the Global Child Safety Institute based at the University of Edinburgh, has officially opened applications for its prestigious Global Data Fellow (GDF) Programme 2027.
This highly respected 12-month fellowship brings together experts from around the world who are passionate about strengthening child protection systems through innovative research, collaboration, and evidence-based policymaking. The programme provides participants with an exceptional opportunity to work alongside international experts while contributing to groundbreaking research focused on preventing child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).
If you are a professional working in child protection, public health, social work, law enforcement, academia, technology, policy development, or related disciplines, this fellowship offers an excellent platform to expand your expertise while joining a global network committed to making children safer worldwide.
What is the Childlight Global Data Fellow Programme?
The Global Data Fellow Programme is an international professional development fellowship designed to develop expertise in child protection data and research. The programme focuses on transforming reliable evidence into practical solutions that strengthen child protection systems across different countries and regions.
Rather than being a traditional academic programme, the fellowship combines professional learning, collaborative research, international networking, and practical application of data-driven approaches to child protection.
Throughout the fellowship, participants engage in virtual workshops, collaborative projects, research activities, and an in-person residency that enables deeper engagement with experts from around the globe.
The programme runs for the entire 2027 calendar year, allowing fellows to continuously build knowledge while applying new skills within their own organizations and communities.
What Fellows Will Gain
Selected fellows will receive access to numerous professional development opportunities, including:
- Monthly virtual workshops led by global experts.
- Research collaboration with leading child protection specialists.
- Participation in international knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Access to Childlight’s exclusive research resources and datasets.
- Membership in a global network of researchers and practitioners.
- Opportunities to contribute to Childlight publications.
- Presentation opportunities during the annual Childlight Research Symposium.
- Continued engagement through the Global Data Fellows alumni network after completing the fellowship.
Financial Support
Although the fellowship is not a salaried position and fellows remain employed by their existing organizations, Childlight provides financial support for selected participants attending the Edinburgh residency.
Support may include:
- International return airfare.
- Accommodation during the residency.
- Meals throughout the residential programme.
Applicants requiring additional assistance may discuss their circumstances with the programme team if selected.
Areas of Expertise Encouraged
Childlight welcomes professionals from multiple disciplines. Experience in any of the following areas is particularly valuable:
- Child protection.
- Violence prevention.
- Child sexual exploitation and abuse research.
- Public health.
- Epidemiology.
- Population health.
- Data science.
- Policy analysis.
- Education.
- Criminal justice.
- Law enforcement.
- Healthcare.
- Social services.
- Child helplines.
- Government agencies.
- Civil society organizations.
- Technology and digital safety.
- Academic research.
The programme values professionals capable of translating research findings into policies and practical interventions that improve child safety globally.
Programme Activities
During the fellowship, participants will:
- Attend monthly virtual learning sessions.
- Participate in collaborative research projects.
- Engage with international experts.
- Exchange knowledge across sectors.
- Contribute to publications and reports.
- Present findings during symposiums.
- Participate in the Edinburgh residency.
- Build lasting international partnerships.
Participants are generally expected to dedicate approximately 2–4 hours per month, in addition to the in-person residency.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Child protection challenges continue to evolve alongside advances in technology and changing social environments. Governments, NGOs, researchers, and international organizations increasingly rely on high-quality evidence to design effective interventions.
The Childlight Global Data Fellow Programme equips professionals with the skills needed to:
- Generate better evidence.
- Improve child safeguarding systems.
- Strengthen international cooperation.
- Develop innovative research methodologies.
- Influence policy decisions.
- Support data-informed child protection strategies.
Participants also become part of a global movement dedicated to preventing child sexual exploitation and abuse through research, collaboration, and innovation.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for:
- Researchers.
- University academics.
- Public health professionals.
- Child protection practitioners.
- Government officials.
- NGO professionals.
- Social workers.
- Technology professionals.
- Human rights advocates.
- Policy specialists.
- Law enforcement professionals.
- Data analysts working within child protection systems.
Individuals committed to evidence-based approaches and international collaboration are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Process
Applicants must complete the official online application form before the application deadline.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an informal discussion with the Global Data Fellow Programme Manager.
Successful applicants will also complete organizational approvals, safeguarding requirements, and programme documentation before joining the fellowship.
Click here For additional information about the programme
Application Deadline
31 July 2026.
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