Research context of the Summer School:
Over the past decade, the Leipzig PhD Summer School has established itself as an important meeting place for the interdisciplinary discussion of transnationalization and transculturalism as well as emerging trends in the research of globalization. The 2015 edition of the Summer School is organized by the Graduate School Global and Area Studies of the Graduate Centre Humanities and Social Sciences at the Research Academy Leipzig in cooperation with the PhD programme “Global and Area Studies with a Special Emphasis on Peace and Security” (Addis Ababa University/ University of Leipzig) and the bilateral research project “Repositioning Greece in a Globalizing World” (University of Athens/ University of Leipzig).
The Graduate School – based upon structured doctoral training programmes – currently comprises 143 PhD students with backgrounds ranging from the social sciences to the fields of history and cultural studies. The annual Summer School is an integral component of the overall programme as well as interdisciplinary training. The Summer School occupies a special place within the educational concept of the Graduate School by providing PhD students with a forum to present the results of their respective research to their peer group, including fellow PhD candidates from abroad. Thus, the invitation is open to all PhD students whose research is related to the focus of this year’s Summer School.
Thematic focus of the Summer School:
States cluster such as the O5, BRICS, N-11, V4, and other acronym associations testify to a reorganization of the world after the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, many countries have faced challenges to their foreign as well as economic policies. As these challenges prompted a reorientation, it is no wonder that geopolitics have gained increasing prominence in the last two-and-a-half decades. One could argue that such adaptation to the current circumstances is a permanent process that is occurring endlessly. But what we would like to address when analyzing processes of repositioning is the synchronicity of such processes in certain world regions that are perceived as zones of crisis, thereby raising concern far beyond the immediate neighbourhood. Europe, which seemed to be a continent of relative stability after the wars in the Balkans during the 1990s, is today again confronted with the effects of more than one crisis emerging out of processes of repositioning that are multifaceted and motivated by different factors. Such a situation invites not only for investigation in itself but also for comparison, both synchronically and diachronically. To this end, we welcome submissions dealing with the current European crisis as well as with other larger zones of crisis, instability, and repositioning. Additionally, contributions that deal with political reorientation and with its intellectual foundations in geopolitical thinking are also welcome, including topics on the (geopolitical) repositioning of economic and cultural actors.
The XIII Summer School of the Graduate School offers the opportunity to each participant to contribute to such debates in a forum structure with their own research and findings.
PhD candidates should propose contributions that are advanced in the research phase and that can presented, including the results from empirical studies as well as theoretical framing of their investigation.
The following superordinate panels are currently under consideration:
1. Repositioning of the Global and European South Compared
2. Repositioning of Eastern Europe from the 18th Century to the Present
3. Repositioning of East and West as South and North in the World of the 21st Century
4. New Regional Policies Compared: The Mediterranean, the Greater Sahara, and the Great Lakes Region
Sequence of events of the Summer School:
The Summer School combines two parts: scholarly talks and presentations within panels. In the first, scholarly talks will be given by internationally recognized researchers whose work influences the field of transnationalization (or a significant component thereof). In the second, participating PhD students will present and discuss their ongoing research.
The assignment of individual sections and days will be determined by the organizers of the Summer School. Preferences of the participants will be taken into consideration. In addition, active participation in the discussions of the Summer School is expected. Talks and project presentations can be conducted in English or German. The discussions are generally held in English and/or German.
Application:
All interested PhD students are cordially invited to submit a paper for application to the Summer School. The application should include:
- Personal details, as well as academic status, including the relevant academic affiliation.
- An abstract of 300–500 words, together with an explanation of its connection to the ongoing dissertation.
via post and via e-mail to:
Leipzig University, Graduate Centre Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Martina Keilbach
Emil-Fuchs-Str. 1
04105 Leipzig
E-mail: keilbach@uni-leipzig.de
Registration and application deadline: 30 April 2015
The final acceptance of the submitted papers will be decided by a preparatory committee no later than 10 May 2015. A maximum of 25 papers will be selected. In order to prepare for academic commentary, submission of the actual paper (10 pages) is expected by 31 May. The paper will be pre-circulated and should fit within a 15–20 minute presentation.
Participation fee:
The participation fee is 50 Euro. This fee covers all costs for conference material (including the reader), refreshments during the breaks, lunch meals, as well as participation in the welcoming reception and the cultural events that will be held during the Summer School.
Upon request, reasonably priced accommodation in Leipzig can be arranged by the conference office.
With successful participation in the Summer School, it will be possible to receive a certificate from the Graduate Centre Humanities and Social Sciences. Further information can be found under: www.uni-leipzig.de/ral/gchuman
Childcare:
For all events, childcare will be provided. Registration is requested (until 31 May 2015): Saskia Steszewski (saskia.steszewski@uni-leipzig.de).