The Käte Hamburger Kolleg „Legal Unity and Pluralism“ examines phenomena of unresolved simultaneity of legal unity and pluralism from a genuinely historical perspective. Its main hypothesis is that legal pluralism should not be regarded as a sign of deficient law or a dysfunctional legal praxis (of earlier historical periods) but as a structural characteristic of law per se. The project opens up unusual perspectives on the understanding of law and society in general and the (legal) ways of dealing with forms of cultural diversity in particular. The goal of the Kolleg is to develop and to test a historically informed descriptive and analytical model in a cooperation between the Fellows and the Münster scholars. In this manner, the Kolleg will assess the interrelations of legal unity and pluralism afresh and offer a new analytical approach to diverse phenomena of coexistence for discussion.
We invite (legal) historians, scholars of applied law, ethnology, sociology, theology, literary studies as well as Jewish and Islamic studies. The fellows’ projects should exhibit clear relevance for both the general aims of the Käte Hamburger Kolleg as well as the respective annual themes. These themes are:
2021/22: Exceptions and Plurality
2022/23: Modes of Standardisation
2023/24: Causes of Plurality
2024/25: Dynamism and Stability
In this context, we are currently especially interested in a) research projects with a high historical depth, b) research projects from the field of social science with a major focus on theory and c) research projects from the field of law. For further information on the Kolleg’s research agenda see: www.evir-muenster.de
YOUR TIME AT THE KOLLEG
During your time as a fellow you are expected to be an active participant in the activities and events hosted by the Kolleg. You will be given the opportunity to present your project in a Fellow-Lecture during your fellowship. At the end of your fellowship, your research findings should published as a journal article or a comparable publication. In addition, sources presented by the Fellows in joint reading sessions shall be included with brief explanations in a multilingual source reader.
In Münster, we offer an inspiring research atmosphere in an interdisciplinary and international setting with many opportunities for collaboration and intellectual exchange with scholars at the Kolleg. You are also encouraged to contribute to the events programme of the Kolleg by proposing a workshop that can be organised in cooperation with our team either during or after your fellowship. However, the central aim of the fellowship is to give you sufficient time to focus on your research topic.
DURATION
We encourage applications for 6–12 month fellowships. The commencement as well as the actual duration of the fellowship will be discussed with the successful applicant. Please state when you plan to stay in Münster in your application. We currently expect to repeat the call for applications approximately every six months, and are now taking applications for fellowships up to 2025.
FELLOWSHIP
Fellows who take unpaid leave during their fellowship will receive financial compensation in form of a stipend. Alternatively, the Kolleg pays for a teaching replacement at the fellow’s home institution. Please note, that stipends can only be paid if you are released by your university from any other obligations during your fellowship. Fellows are expected to routinely conduct their work from Münster during their fellowship and to participate in the programme and the social life at the Kolleg. The Kolleg can support fellows in the search for accommodation. However, accommodation costs cannot be covered by the Käte Hamburger Kolleg. The Kolleg covers one-time travel costs to and from Münster. We will provide a fully furnished office and organisational help with visa applications and finding accommodation. German and English are the working languages at the Kolleg.
HOW TO APPLY
Prospective fellows must have completed their doctoral studies and possess exceptional expertise in the research field of the Kolleg. Please email your application including the following documents as one .pdf to info.evir@unimuenster. de until 30.09.2021. Further Fellowships are currently expected to be advertised approximately every six months. Your application must include the following documents:
PROJECT PROPOSAL – c. 1000 WORDS
The proposal should outline the proposed research project and demonstrate the relevance to the Käte Hamburger Kolleg ‘Legal Unity and Pluralism‘ as well as the respective annual theme. It should also show the project’s relevance and contribution to current academic debates and identify the intended aims of the successful fellowship.
WORK SCHEDULE – c. 500 WORDS
The work schedule should convey a rough idea of how the fellow intends to organise their time at the Kolleg.
CURRICULUM VITAE
A CV of no more than four pages
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection of fellows is made by the Kolleg’s Academic Advisory Board.