To promote transregional dialogue and exchange between researchers, the Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) is accepting applications for four dual research fellowship (up to six months each) inside its program “Transatlantic Tandem”, located one at each of its four centers located in Latin America:

• Headquarters in Guadalajara/México
• Regional Center in San José/Costa Rica
• Regional Center in Quito/Ecuador
• Regional Center in Buenos Aires/Argentina

Two researchers – one affiliated with a Latin American academic institution and the other one affiliated with a German academic institution -will work collaboratively on a particular research topic related to the CALAS overall research approach. Their joint application must highlight the additional academic value of their cooperation. The application should also define the concrete results and objectives of their collaboration.

 

Thematic scope

Latin America has acquired significant experience in dealing with multiple crises. In facing these challenges, theoretical and empirical approaches are generated that are of importance not only for the region but also for the general understanding and solving of the current problems of humanity. CALAS’s transdisciplinary research program Coping with Crisis: Transdisciplinary Perspectives from Latin America” focuses on critical questions of how crises and processes of change are triggered, accelerated, decelerated, perceived, and reflected by different actors in Latin America. What strategies arise in the process to deal with crises at multiple levels? How can new approaches to solving problems, including those of a transregional nature, be effective or institutionalized?

The thematic proposals that are presented must address in one way or another these CALAS guiding research questions and its general approaches. In particular, projects that show interest in more than one of the research axes covered by CALAS and whose academic profile guarantees the interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological approaches necessary for research in CALAS are welcome. In this regard, it is expected that the proposed Platforms for Dialogue will contribute to reflect, deconstruct and decentralize the Western-centered state of knowledge about concepts, dynamics and solutions, and to adapt them to the context of the region.

For more information about CALAS visit: www.calas.lat

 

Conditions

The Transatlantic Tandem fellowship is open to postdoctoral scholars in Social Sciences and the Humanities, even though applications in which one of the two scholars does not hold a post-doctoral degree yet will also be accepted as long as this person has additional qualifications and proven research competence by having published at least two papers related to the subject of the research project. Operational command of Spanish is required.

CALAS is committed to inclusion and gender equality. It expressly welcomes applications from appropriately qualified disabled persons. The CALAS fellowship-program aims for gender parity and is promoting affirmative action policies.

The fellows are expected to be in residence at the CALAS headquarters and participate in locally and digitally organized activities and events. They will have the opportunity to make use of the resources of CALAS and the respective host institution, including office space, access to libraries and research facilities.

Fellows will receive a competitive remuneration. In addition, fellowship recipients will receive reimbursement for their round-trip airfare to the CALAS headquarters and family support in case of traveling accompanied. To promote the joint research, they have access to additional funding for, e.g. conducting field research, organizing a small academic event (e.g. workshop) and/or visiting the other centers affiliated with CALAS in Latin America or Germany, where recipients are expected to present their research at a public conference. CALAS is unable to provide accommodation for its fellows but local administrative staff will help in finding suitable places for rent.

To complete the research stay, CALAS expects the fellows to publish their joint research results in at least two academic articles. The search for a suitable means of publication depends on the authors. At the end of the fellowship, it is expected that the fellows give an account on their activities in a five-page report.

Application

To apply, please fill out the online application form and add the following documents in pdf format in Spanish or English language:

• A cover letter stating why your project is a good fit for the specific fellowship and what your expectations are.
• Short CV (2 pages) of each applicant with a list of topic-related publications.
• Copies of certificate of most recently achieved academic qualification.
• Joint research proposal with research schedule, work plan and bibliographic sources and information on plans on how to publish research results (8 pages max/4.000 words).

Important dates

• Opening of the call: February 1, 2022
• Deadline: May 15, 2022
• Notification of results: August 15, 2022
• Beginning of the fellowship: Between January and September 2023

Due to the high number of applications expected, rejections will not be justified.

 

More information: Dr. Jochen Kemner, Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies, Tlf: ++ 52 33 3819 3300, ext. 23594, info@calas.lat