The Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences (CALAS) and the Hamburg Institute in Advanced Studies (HIAS) appoint outstanding scholars, scientists, and artists from Latin American research institutions to pursue their research projects for four months on-site in Hamburg and two months in Bielefeld.

With "Land”, HIAS and CALAS are focusing their call for proposals this year on a topic that has shaped Latin American societies in many ways from the Conquista to the present day. Globally, the region is characterized by the most unequal distribution of access to and ownership of land. From the plantation system, to latifundism, to agro-industry and agro-extractivism, high concentration of land is a constant in political, cultural, economic, environmental, and social configurations. Yet land concentration has always been contested through land struggles, agrarian reforms, or agro-ecological alternatives. We are particularly interested in exploring the symbolic, transversal, historical meaning of (unequal) land ownership, which can be explored in sociologically-social anthropologically, politico-economically, spatially-ecologically, or culturally-artistically.

Fellows are granted excellent conditions in an inspiring academic and artistic context, with many opportunities for cross-disciplinary and intersectional collaborations among the fellows as well as with researchers and artists from the HIAS member institutions in Hamburg and the CALAS/CIAS network in Bielefeld.

Eligible are researchers of all disciplines and of all career stages from the postdoctoral level onwards, as well as outstanding artists and cultural professionals - from all Latin American countries, and from a variety of different disciplines such as the political economy, social sciences, languages, and humanities, as well as the arts.

Applicants should be internationally visible in their respective fields, give evidence of creativity and originality as well as willingness to participate in a community of scholars, scientists, artists and cultural professionals and, in the form of lectures and other types of events, to engage with the broader public. A good command of English (both written and oral) is important.

The CALAS / HIAS fellowship offers a competitively remunerated scholarship for a stay of four months at HIAS in Hamburg (February to May) and two months at the University of Bielefeld (June and July). This grant includes a monthly stipend, the costs of visa, accommodation, health insurance, work materials and other expenses. If an applicant has a permanent position, the grant can be used to finance a temporary teaching replacement. Additionally, the fellowship will cover the costs of the airfare to and from Germany.

Fellows are expected to reside at the respective CALAS or HIAS site for the whole duration of the fellowship and to participate in the activities and events organized by the respective institution.

During the stay, HIAS and the University of Bielefeld will provide the Visiting Fellow with a workplace with internet access, as well as the infrastructure of the university (library, etc.). Additionally, they will receive support in finding accommodation, completing bureaucratic formalities on site, obtaining the required visa, etc.

CALAS / HIAS is committed to inclusion and the goal of gender parity. Applications from people with special needs are expressly welcome. CALAS / HIAS welcomes accompanying life partners and children of fellows.

Planned tasks for the CALAS / HIAS fellowship in Hamburg and Bielefeld

• Development of a research project that is related to the thematic focus of the call and its main research questions.
• Publication of the results of investigation (academic article/s).
• Teaching of a course in the Master program in InterAmerican Studies in the University of Bielefeld (Spanish or English). The course should include the organization of exams and other methods of student evaluation.
• Completion of at least one public academic event (lectures or conference) in each research institution.
• Preparation of a final report of ten pages about all the activities realized during the time of the fellowship.

Application:

The online application form must be filled out and include the following documents in Spanish or English:

• Statement of purpose explaining how the project fits into the CALAS / HIAS fellowship and what your expectations are.
• Two-page curriculum vitae with a list of relevant publications and courses taught in English and/or Spanish.
• Summary of the research project, including a timeline and work plan, with a maximum of 20 bibliographic sources (max. 2.000 words). The proposed project establishes new perspectives / ways of thinking and shows potential for connections with other disciplines.
• Proposal for an interdisciplinary course (max. 1 page with title and brief course description) to be taught at Bielefeld University (English or Spanish).
• Copy of most recent academic degree certificates.

Timeline:

Deadline for submission of application:  August 12, 2023

Announcement of results: September 21, 2023

Start of the fellowship: February 1, 2024 (February to May in Hamburg; June and July in Bielefeld).

Further information on the CALAS / HIAS fellowships:

Prof. Dr. Olaf Kaltmeier, Bielefeld University

eMail: calas@uni-bielefeld.de