To foster international academic exchange and discussion, the Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) calls for applications to organize a “Platform for Dialogue” at its headquarter in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Platform for Dialogue is a collaborative format to promote interdisciplinary, interregional, and intergenerational dialogue concerning a specific research topic. It is an academic event for a group of 15 to 30 participants and may last from two to five days. Financial support can be granted up to EUR 20,000. Each year, CALAS provides funding for two Platforms for Dialogue.

 

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 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 guiding questions of the CALAS research program and its general approaches. In particular, projects that show interest in research topics not yet covered by CALAS and whose academic profile guarantees the interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological approaches necessary for research in CALAS are encouraged. 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

Applications can be submitted by scholars of Social Sciences and the Humanities. At least one of the conveners is expected to hold a post-doctoral degree and experience in the organization of scientific events. As CALAS promotes an international, interdisciplinary and transatlantic dialogue, preference is given to small teams of 2 to 3 conveners with different disciplinary backgrounds from Europe and Latin America. 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 CALAS administrative staff in Guadalajara will take care of all the organizational matters regarding the event (invitations, logistics, travel & accommodation, financial arrangements).

The conveners are expected to give a written account of the event in a five-page report, at least four weeks after its finishing.

 

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 explaining how the Platform for Dialogue topic fits into the CALAS research program 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.
• Detailed proposal of the subject and problems to be dealt with; including the current state of international research in the field, account of the applicants’ preparatory work related to the topic; Information on expected output (plans to publish/disseminate the results of the project), further prospects for collaboration, rough calculation for funding (max. 8 pages, including basic literature).
• Discussion-oriented preliminary program with a list of possible speakers and prospective participants (names, disciplines, country, email address).
• If additional funding is available/requested by another institution, the application should give details about the source of this funding, volume, and how these funds will be used.

 

Important dates

• Opening of the call: February 8, 2023
• Deadline: May 7, 2023
• Notification of results: August 15, 2023
• Beginning of the fellowship: Between January and November 2024

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

Email: info@calas.lat