The fourth Flying University of Transnational Humanities (FUTH) is jointly organized by the Research Institute of Comparative History and Culture (RICH), Hanyang University, Seoul, together with the Graduate Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences of the Research Academy Leipzig and will take place at the Leipzig University, 16-19 September 2013, under the title of “New Regionalism.” We welcome applications from current PhD students as well as young researchers at the early stages of their postdoctoral career of all fields who are interested in the phenomenon of new regionalisms and currently conducting research on topics related to this topic.
The Flying University of Transnational Humanities (FUTH), which took place for the first three times in Seoul at Hanyang University from 2010 to 2012, is accordingly:
- Trans-cultural: FUTH not only critically examines the production and circulation of (trans-)national knowledge and culture, but it also problematizes imagined geographies of the “East” and the “West”. We explore periods, places, and subjects as fluid and hybrid, rather than as confined and constrained by geopolitical or cultural boundaries.
- Trans-disciplinary: FUTH seeks to comprehend the complex nature of various trans-cultural issues through trans-disciplinary approaches. To that end, FUTH is open to scholars, educators, researchers and students from all academic specializations.
- Trans-institutional: FUTH is an intellectual network, founded and run by a global consortium of scholars, departments, and institutions. With the support of this network, we hope to facilitate trans-cultural and trans-disciplinary collaborations.
It is for the first time that FUTH is now organized in Europe in close cooperation with the Leipzig Graduate Centre for the Humanities and Social Sciences, which normally held its annual summer school during the same time.
Thematic focus of the Summer School
In the current process of globalization there are many challenges to what is often described as “the sovereign nation-state”, ranging from increased inter-state migration to the border-crossing effects of climate change, and from new forms of financial entanglements to transnational security threats. Since the end of the Cold War, “new regionalisms” have emerged in response to these challenges. These include state-driven attempts to foster regional integration and establish “more effective” regional institutions, or to find regional solutions to current political, economic and other problems. But the “new regionalisms” of the past two decades also include various formal and informal actors activities of non-state actors – companies, networks, NGOs, etc. – that usually operate in transnational environments as well as, sometimes, at micro-levels.
The topic invites for comparative research as, on the one hand, these processes of regionalization are not only happening simultaneously but also with reference to each other while, on the other hand, the “newness” of the new regionalisms merits investigation by comparing it to historically elder examples.
Focusing during the summer school on new regionalism is at the same time asking for theoretical frameworks that may explain the interest in macro-regions as a level – one among others or the central one? – of political or economic integration and coordination as well as cultural identification that is seen as having high potential in regards to global competition.
We will provide all applicants a reader with a selection of texts that may inspire discussion on the various concepts that compose the field of new regionalism research.
Key notes will be held by prominent scholars from both Asia and Europe.
Application
All interested PhD students and post-docs are cordially invited to submit a paper for application to the Summer School. The application should include:
- Personal details, as well as academic status, including the relevant academic affiliation.
- An abstract of the proposed presentation (1000-1200 words).
via e-mail to:
Leipzig University, Graduate Centre Humanities and Social Sciences
Emil-Fuchs-Str. 1
D-04105 Leipzig
E-mail: ral.humanities@uni-leipzig.de
Application deadline: 1 April 2013
The final acceptance of submitted papers will be decided by a selection committee no later than 1 June 2013.
In order to prepare for academic commentary, submission of the actual paper (10-15 pages) is expected by 15 August 2013. The paper will be pre-circulated and should fit within a 15-20 minute presentation.
Participation fee
The participation fee is EUR 50. Included in this fee are the conference materials (including the reader), refreshments during the breaks as well as participation in the welcoming reception and the cultural events that will be held during the Summer School.
Upon request, reasonably priced accommodations in Leipzig will be arranged by the conference office.
Partial travel grants may be awarded to a limited number of applicants (5 to applicants from East-Central Europe, 4 to applicants from Africa, 7 to applicants from East Asia).
Upon successful participation of the Summer School, it will be possible to receive a certificate from the Graduate Centre Humanities and Social Sciences. Further information can be found at the following website: www.uni-leipzig.de/ral/gchuman
Childcare
Childcare will be organized through the Graduate Centre. Registration is requested (by 1 September 2013) by contacting: Martina Keilbach (keilbach@uni-leipzig.de).