June 30 / 2026 / Reading Time: 4 minutes
Call for Applications: Childlight Global Data Fellow Programme
Childlight is pleased to invite applications for its Global Data Fellow (GDF) Programme. This 12-month fellowship, held over the course of the calendar year, offers a blend of virtual and in-person learning, as well as opportunities for collaboration and professional connection. It is designed for mid-level practitioners and researchers who wish to deepen their expertise and expand their networks in the field of child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).
The deadline to apply for the 2027 cohort is 31 July 2026.
About Childlight:
Childlight is a global child safety institute hosted in the University of Edinburgh, with an East Asia and Pacific Hub located at the University of New South Wales. It takes a data-driven, evidence-based approach to understand and illuminate the true prevalence and nature of CSEA globally. This evidence base is used to catalyse and drive transformational and sustainable change so that more children across the world can be protected from CSEA.
The Global Data Fellow Programme:
The GDF programme brings together mid-career professionals working to strengthen child protection through data and evidence. The programme is designed to enhance CSEA expertise, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support innovative, high-impact research.
GDFs gain access to expert networks, advanced resources, and tailored learning opportunities that enable them to:
- Address complex challenges in CSEA research and data
- Collaborate on high-impact, cross-sector initiatives
- Translate data into actionable insights to improve child safety worldwide
The Childlight Global Data Fellows Programme opened up possibilities in the field of child sexual abuse and exploitation research to me. I am learning directly from other researchers, gaining insights into the work behind the studies, acquiring different perspectives, and finding ways of working with data that I can adapt in my setting.
— Sandra Hernandez, National Institute of Health, Philippines
Candidate Criteria:
Essential:
- Individuals working in the field of child protection from diverse disciplines and sectors
- Are passionate about child protection, eager to learn, collaborate, and develop CSEA research
- Research or work in an area of strategic interest to Childlight
- Fluent in English language
Desirable:
We strongly encourage applications from individuals with specific regional, technical or subject-matter experience, including those with experience or insight in the following areas:
- Regional insight: Understanding of the social, political, cultural, and institutional contexts of Sub-Saharan Africa
- Public health: Experience, knowledge, or a professional background in public health systems, including areas such as epidemiology, population health, burden of disease, and commercial determinants
- Data expertise: Use or management of global/regional/national/community-level frontline datasets, including frontline datasets from sectors such as education, justice, social services, policing, healthcare, and helplines
- Community representation: Individuals from youth-serving, survivor-led, and grassroots organisations
- Language skills: Proficiency in French, Portuguese, Swahili, Arabic, or other languages relevant to regional engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa
Scope of Programme:
The GDF programme offers a year-long, structured experience designed to deepen CSEA expertise, facilitate networking, and amplify the impact of GDF work. GDFs benefit from the following opportunities:
- Edinburgh residency: Attend an in-person training at the University of Edinburgh in February/March
- Thematic workshops: Participate in online workshops addressing critical CSEA data issues
- Research symposium: Share and present your work to the Childlight network
- Publishing opportunities: Contribute to high-impact publications with global visibility
- Global network: Connect with a diverse community of child protection professionals and academics
- Exclusive insights: Access early updates and briefings on emerging Childlight research and data
- Ambassadors network: Remain connected to the Childlight community beyond the fellowship year
Funding:
The standard GDF position is unpaid and intended as a collaboration between Childlight, the GDF, and their home organisation. The role does not constitute an employment relationship with the University of Edinburgh. As such, confirmation of organisational consent is required for participation.
Childlight provides financial support for a capped number of GDFs to attend the Edinburgh residency, covering:
- Round-trip travel from the GDF’s country of residence to Edinburgh, UK
- Accommodation for the duration of the residency
- Daily meals during the residency
If additional financial support is required to facilitate your participation, you will have the opportunity to discuss possible arrangements with the programme team upon selection.
GDF Commitments:
To participate in the programme, GDFs agree to:
- Collaborate on Childlight research, publications, and activities as mutually agreed
- Contribute to events, discussions, and knowledge exchange opportunities
- Represent Childlight’s mission and values
- Handle data ethically and in line with Childlight’s data-sharing and research integrity policies
- Promptly report any safeguarding risks in line with Childlight’s established procedures
As part of the programme, GDFs are encouraged to:
- Attend monthly virtual thematic workshops/talks (1-hour)
- Attend monthly Childlight meetings and research briefings (1-hour)
- Present research/work in Childlight meetings and symposia (once annually)
- Participate in other ad hoc opportunities to engage and feedback on Childlight strategy & research
The estimated time commitment is 2-4 hours monthly, outside of the week-long residency.
Application Process:
To apply for the 2027 cohort, complete the online form: https://forms.office.com/e/YCgq00CJRN
The application deadline is 31 July 2026.
Applications will be screened against the essential and desirable candidate criteria, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal discussion with the GDF Programme Manager as part of the selection process.
All individuals who apply will informed of the outcome of their application by September 2026.
Upon selection, applicants must:
- Obtain their home organisation's consent to participate in the programme
- Pass Childlight’s standard due diligence checks
- Agree to comply with applicable Childlight policies, including our safeguarding and protocols
- Provide signatures from both themselves and their home organisation on a programme invitation letter
Contact: For questions or further information, please contact Robin Alexander, GDF Programme Manager: robin.alexander@ed.ac.uk