The Sir Peter Ustinov Institute for the Study and Combat of Prejudice, on the recommendation of its Scientific Advisory Board, announces the Sir Peter Ustinov Visiting Professorship of the City of Vienna 2023 at the University of Vienna (half-time position; limited for 5 months).
Scientists from all disciplines are invited to apply (habilitation or equivalent qualification required), who have demonstrably worked on the following topic: Authoritarianism. A Challenge for Liberal Societies and Politics.
The focus of the visiting professorship is on the topic of authoritarianism in history and the present. Successful candidates will demonstrate an interdisciplinary understanding of this issue. Methodological and theoretical concepts that reveal continuities and ruptures in authoritarianism in the 20th and 21st centuries are a prerequisite. Suitable candidates should pay special attention to the actuality and new forms of authoritarianism and the challenges it poses for liberal societies and politics. An appropriate research profile is expected, as well as a willingness to offer a seminar and a public lecture at the Institute of Contemporary History.
The 2023 Visiting Professorship is expected to address the following topics in particular:
- How widespread are authoritarian attitudes in European societies and beyond? What economic and socio-psychological frameworks can be identified?
- What similarities or differences can be identified in authoritarianism in the 20th and 21st centuries? Where is continuity, where are breaks to be observed?
- What are the geopolitical implications of the attraction of authoritarian regimes?
- What roles do social media and big tech companies play in the spread of authoritarian tendencies?
- How can authoritarian enticements be countered and the resilience of liberal societies strengthened against authoritarian threats?
The applicants are expected to address these questions across disciplines and convey them to students and other interested parties in the context of two courses, namely a lecture open to the public and a seminar at the University of Vienna in the summer semester of 2023. It has proven successful in terms of student support that the lecturer is present in Vienna throughout the semester.
Due to the unpredictable development of the Corona pandemic, applicants are advised that the courses may not be held continuously as face-to-face courses, but that e-learning tools may have to be used.
The following documents must be submitted with the application:
- Letter of motivation
- curriculum vitae
- list of publications
- a concrete proposal for the implementation of the advertised topic in twelve course units (90 minutes each) of approx. 4,000 characters each.
We offer you a salary (classification according to the collective agreement for university employees in the employment group A1; paragraph 99 Abs. 1 Universitätsgesetz 2002). The Sir Peter Ustinov Institute will provide information on the salary.
The University of Vienna aims to increase the proportion of women, especially in management positions and among the scientific staff, and therefore expressly invites qualified women to apply. Women will be given priority in the case of equal qualifications.
Applications should be sent by email to the Sir Peter Ustinov Institute at office@ustinov.at by December 04, 2022.