4 Ph.D. Research Grants "Society and Culture in Motion" (Univ. Halle)

Research Grants

The Graduate School “Society and Culture in Motion” (GS SCM), Halle (Germany) announces the following openings:

1) 2 grants for Ph.D. students (EUR 1050/month) for 24 months with the possibility of a 12 month extension

2) 2 grants for Ph.D. students (EUR 1050/month) for 24 months with the possibility of a 12 month extension in cooperation with the International Max Planck Research School on Retaliation, Mediation and Punishment (REMEP)

Applications must be received (not postmarked) by June 22nd, 2012
Beginning: Oct 1st, 2012

Ph.D. Grant Descriptions:

GS SCM
The guiding subject matter of the GS SCM is the study of the motion and transformation of ideas, artefacts, and models in space, time and between social fields. New technological, political, judicial as well as economic frameworks have increasingly translocal and quite often global meanings due to their translations into local contexts. GS SCM aims to devise concepts that allow for the description of these translation processes, paying particular attention to creative strategies of adaption, transformation and redeployment of travelling epistemic, normative and material elements as well as experiences involving bewilderment. Thus, we aim to go beyond the mere encounter of the other in order to understand the reflexive and stimulative potentials in experiences with unfamiliar cultural or social orders.

Consequently, our primary concern goes beyond the migration of people as an economic and political process in order to focus on the challenges and chances that epistemic, normative and material elements in motion bring about.

From this perspective, we expect interdisciplinary research projects on aspects of creative resistance, adaptation and camouflage that can be identified as forms of translation of travelling ideas and models. The focus could be on historical and social as well as transdisciplinary movements.

REMEP
The research agenda has its focus on the fundamental question common to the disciplines of the social sciences and humanities regarding how social order and human security are negotiated, constructed, maintained and re-gained. In particular, in the context of conflict and post-conflict societies so-called mechanisms of transitional justice are being experimented with. These are often constituted by specific considerations of traditional elements and globally circulating models.

Research at the IMPRS-REMEP should fall within the fields of legal anthropology and conflict studies in the broadest sense of these terms. The focus of analysis should be on conflict and conflict settlement procedures (retaliation, mediation, punishment) in plural legal contexts and should also include strategies for inclusion and exclusion in conflict situations. Of special interest are configurations of various juridical repertoires such as local or customary law, state law, religious law, or transnational norms for conflict management, including actors’ abilities to manoeuvre within or among these repertoires and cultural diversity. Of equal importance are issues pertaining to the social construction of conflict parties and their identity patterns. Potential research topics range from conflict resolution in acephalous societies to conflict management procedures in (post) conflict societies (retaliation, punishment, compensation and reconciliation). Those include ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) mechanisms in constellations of parallel legal registers, dispute management procedures under conditions of cultural diversity and migration and forms of transitional or restorative justice or even reconciliation processes. The interaction of global, local and translocal processes may thus acquire special analytical importance. Applicants are expected to develop their research questions independently, and to specify them in their proposal. Proposals with a comparative perspective and/or an inter-disciplinary approach are especially encouraged and will be given preference during the consideration process. It is expected that anthropological projects include a field research of approximately one year.

Who can apply?
Potential Ph.D. students must hold an M.A. degree (equivalent to the German MA) or an equivalent degree in one of the participating disciplines (listed below) or in related disciplines, entitling the holder to take up Ph.D. studies in Germany. In order to fully participate in and take advantage of the GS SCM’s activities, continuous presence of the students in Halle is required. Applications must include the following documents:

- Cover letter
- Copy of M.A. certificate (English or German)
- Transcript of Records (if available)
- CV
- Outline of a research proposal together with project timeline (3,000 – 5,000 words). This proposal should relate to the general topic "Society and Culture in Motion. Diffusion – Experiment – Institutions" and (for those not applying for the REMEP-programme) to the idea of “Bewilderment as an opportunity for learning”. Furthermore, we ask that you include details of your research progress (if any) up to the time of application.
- Letter of recommendation written by an academic supervisor from the previous university.
- Proof of adequate knowledge of English (if a non-native speaker).

What is expected from participating Ph.D. students?
- A sustained effort in the Ph.D. work.
- A willingness to actively take part in the GS SCM schooling programme. This involves giving presentations and papers at the transdisciplinary seminars, workshops, as well as on other occasions.
- A general interest in methodological and epistemological enquiries.
Successful completion of the degree (Ph.D.) takes place according to the guidelines and regulations of the corresponding faculty.

What the GS SCM (in cooperation with REMEP) has to offer:
- Transdisciplinary seminars and workshops on various subjects.
- Presentations and talks by visiting scholars.
- Workshops related to key skills training.
- A framework for discussing dissertation projects.
- In addition to the grants, the GS SCM offers additional financial support for grantees with children.
- The GS SCM can also contribute to field work expenses (if applicable). If this kind of support is required, then it should be stated and explained in the research proposal.

The GS SCM programme is not only directed at the GS SCM grantees; a number of other Ph.D. students and junior researchers are continuously taking part in the programme. While the working language of the GS SCM is English, we nevertheless request that students acquire an operative knowledge of German (for everyday communication as well as reading skills in scholarly literature). German language instruction is available through the university.

Application mailing information:

Please send completed applications (as shown on the SCM website:
www.scm.uni-halle.de/gsscm/stipendien/?lang=en)

via e-mail to: verwaltungscm.uni-halle.de

and/or by ordinary mail to:

Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Graduate School “Society and Culture in Motion”
Dr. Hagen Findeis
Reichardtstr. 6
D-06114 Halle/Saale

List of participating disciplines:
Anthropology, Arab Studies, Comparative Literature, Economics, History, Islamic Studies, Japanese Studies, Jewish Studies, Jurisprudence, Philosophy, Political Studies, Sociology and Theology/Christian Oriental Studies.

For further information please see www.scm.uni-halle.de/gsscm/