Academic Year 2022/2023

In the course of the academic year, the Field of Excellence “Dimensions of Europeanization” at the University of Graz is supporting four junior fellows (post-doc and early career) and two senior fellows (tenured professors and equivalent) to spend one semester in Graz to conduct and present research and collaborate with other researchers focusing on

Body Politics as Dimensions of Europeanisation

The experience of the COVID19 pandemic brings to our attention the territorial as well as cross-border dimensions of politics that are directly related to human bodies and their health. Not only health policies, but also many other fields of political action and discourses create new spaces and borders, e.g. in the areas of migration and asylum, labor markets and mobility or climate and environmental protection. Thereby, human bodies are always - quite directly or also indirectly - addressed and affected by politics and policies. Health and illness, discrimination (sexism, racism, ageism, etc.) as well as poverty, state violence and violent conflicts and other issues can be understood as body politics phenomena that can be addressed with concepts of "care" and "intersectionality", among others. We are interested in the European dimensions of such body politics – in terms of a critical view on politics of Europeanization, redefining and performance of internal and external European borders, identities and territorial governance of bodies and health.

The projects should clearly relate to the overall focus of the Field of Excellence. The Field of Excellence “Dimensions of Europeanization” deals with a broad range of processes that could be described as "Europeanization" in past and present. It focuses on the analysis of changing discourses of Europe, especially in regard to the transfer of concepts, values and ideas. Thus, it seeks to redefine the concept of Europeanization, in particular in Southeastern Europe, and to identify the historically grounded cultural, economic and social processes that are circumscribed by it. The Field of Excellence explores the field of Europeanization through interdisciplinary approaches, incorporating sociology, history, geography, cultural studies, literature, law, political science, economics, theology, as well as digital methods. It currently includes 30 principal investigators from five different faculties and the inter-faculty Center for Southeast European Studies at the University. The Field of Excellence includes doctoral training, research projects and a fellowship program.

During the academic year 2022-23, the fellowship program will focus on the theme “Body Politics as Dimensions of Europeanisation”. The Field of Excellence is interested in projects that engage with the theme using an interdisciplinary approach and are open to a diachronic engagement. In particular, a focus on Southeastern Europe is welcome, but not required. Innovative, unconventional project ideas are especially welcome. The research conducted can be part of a larger project, but applicants should be able to demonstrate a clearly defined research project for the stay in Graz.

Junior Visiting Fellowship

Junior Visiting Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of 1250 € for the duration of 4 months (October 2022 - January 2023 or March - June 2023) and travel costs to Graz (of up to 500 €). The application should include a CV, including referees, and a one-page research plan that clearly highlights how the research links to “Dimensions of Europeanization” and the topic. Junior Visiting Fellows need to have completed their PhD by the time they begin their fellowship. Applications should indicate the preferred semester for the fellowship. Deadline is 15 April 2022.

Senior Visiting Fellowship

Senior Visiting Fellows will receive an apartment for the duration of 4 months during their stay (October 2022-January 2023 or March-June 2023; up to 1000 €/month), a return flight ticket (economy class; up to 800€) from their ordinary place of residence to Graz and the lump sum of 800€ for further personal expenses. The Senior Visiting Fellowship Program is open to researchers with an established international reputation. The application should include a CV and a one-page research plan that clearly highlights how the research of the fellow links to “Dimensions of Europeanization”. Applications should indicate the preferred semester for the fellowship. Deadline is 15 April 2022. 

Application for Junior and Senior Visiting Fellows 

Junior and Senior Visiting Fellows will receive workspace, library access and will be involved in the activities of Dimensions of Europeanization and participating institutes, as well as the Centre for Southeast European Studies. All fellows are expected to be physically present at the University of Graz during the four months of the fellowship, present their research during their stay, attend other presentations and contribute to the academic environment of the university. Fellows are expected to work on a specific publication during their stay.

The university will cover liability and accident insurance, while health insurance needs to be covered by fellows. Fellows will not be employed by the University of Graz. Fellows need to take care of their residence permit for the whole duration of their fellowship beforehand. 

Apply here with CV and Reserarch Plan until April, 15th 2022.

For further questions, please contact europeanization(at)uni-graz.at.