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

The Platform for Dialogue is a collaborative format to promote interdisciplinary, interregional, and intergenerational dialogue in relation to a delimited 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.

 

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 CALAS research program 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.

 

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 groups 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 severely disabled and 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

The following documents are required (in English or Spanish):

• Application form
• Motivational letter stating why your project is a good fit for the CALAS research program and what your expectations are.
• Short CV (2 pages) of conveners with 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 current state of international research in the field and account of the applicants’ preparatory work related to the topic; basic literature (max. 6 pages).
• Discussion-oriented preliminary program with a list of possible speakers and prospective participants (names, disciplines, country, email-address).
• Information on expected output (plans to publish/disseminate the results of the project), further prospects.
• Rough budget request with overall amount and types of support (travel, accommodation, other services).  If additional funding is available/requested, the application should give details about source of this funding, volume, and how these funds will be used.

Applications must be sent electronically as single PDF via e-mail to convocatorias@calas.lat; Reference: Platform for Dialogue 2020

Important dates:

• Deadline: June 3, 2019
• Decision making: July 31, 2019
• Realization of the platform: Projects are expected to be carried out between January and Dezember 2020. For available fixtures please check the event-calendar on the CALAS website

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

 

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