Call for Applications: 14 students for the Research Partnership “Violence, Forced Migration and Exile: Trauma in the Arab World and in Germany”

(Deadline of submission January 31, 2017)

“Violence, Forced Migration and Exile: Trauma in the Arab World and in Germany” is an interdisciplinary research partnership of the Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universität München with four Palestinian universities, the Bethlehem University, the Birzeit University (Birzeit, Westbank), the an-Najah National University (Nablus, Westbank) and the Dar al-Kalima University (Bethlehem), and two Lebanese Universities, the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese American University (LAU, Beirut). The multilateral cooperation is sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the Programme Higher Education Dialogue with the Muslim World.

In February 2016, the projects recruits fourteen highly motivated students (6 Palestinian, 5 Lebanese and 3 German BA, MA or PhD students) into its three years project.

The Project
The project pursues a twofold agenda. On the one hand, it investigates the topics of dealing with violence, trauma and experiences of exile in Germany and the Arab World in a national and country-comparative perspective. The students are supposed to tackle these topics by studying three interrelated fields:

(1.) the role of religion in dealing with violence and traumatic experience;
(2.) the significance of the factors gender and generation in shaping the process of coping with trauma
(3.) and the relations between the private (lifeworld of individuals, families) and the public space (state practises, media representations) in the context of traumatic experience

The project is open to various methodological and disciplinary approaches, including (but being not limited to) Near and Middle Eastern studies, anthropology, media and communication studies, gender studies, history, Islamic and religious studies, political science, sociology, psychology or philosophy.

On the other hand, this empirical research is designed to further cultural dialogue between Germany and Middle Eastern countries. The project aims at creating an interdisciplinary and multilateral platform for exchange and dialogue between German, Palestinian and Lebanese students. As part of the higher education dialogue, the students are academically trained. A further focus lies on the empowerment of women in science and promoting the South-South cooperation. In the framework of common seminars on theory and methodology, close contacts shall be developed that prepare the ground for future research networks among young researchers in the three regions.

Responsibilities
– To pursue an individual research project related to the research fields outlined above
– To publish research results either in a journal or a collection of essays
– To participate in workshops, meetings and seminars in Lebanon and Germany
– To assist in the organization of workshops, meetings, and seminars
– To keep close communication with the project members and partner institutions in Palestine, Lebanon and Germany
– To assist in the documentation and public relations work of the project activities

Requirements
– Enrolled as a BA, MA or PhD-student at a German, Palestinian or Lebanese university
– Good oral and written skills in English
– Good communicative and organizational skills
– Teamwork experience and able to work in an interdisciplinary environment
– Ready to travel to Germany and Lebanon and in possession of a valid passport

Duration
The project will run until December 2017 with the possibility of renewal.

Benefits
– To become part of a vibrant and transnational network of scholars in Germany, Palestine and Lebanon
– To gain experience in establishing and working in an international and interdisciplinary environment
– To publish your research in a high quality publication
– To participate in several academic trainings (research methodology, teaching) in Germany and Lebanon
– Project related expenses (travel, books etc.) are covered (no scholarships or grants are available)

Application Modalities
Application is open to BA, MA and PhD students (humanities or social sciences) enrolled at a German, Palestinian or Lebanese university. Candidates are asked to submit a CV, a letter of motivation, and university certificates. Suitable candidates are called for an interview at the beginning of February 2017. The DAAD values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

Contact
Please send your application in English until January 31, 2017 to Sarah El Bulbeisi (Sarah.Bulbeisi@lmu.de).

Sarah El Bulbeisi, PhD cand.
www.naher-osten.lmu.de/trauma
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
Institute for Near and Middle Eastern Studies
Veterinärstraße 1, D-80539 München
Tel.: 0049-89-2180-3932