Postdoc Research Fellowships in Berlin: "Compromising the Cold War"
The Berliner Kolleg Kalter Krieg | Berlin Center for Cold War Studies is a joint project of the Hamburg Institute for Social Research, the Institute of Contemporary History Munich-Berlin, the Federal Foundation for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Eastern Germany and the Humboldt University Berlin. It is a place of international scholarly exchange and the continuing development of historiographic research devoted to the Cold War. It focuses on international and inter-German relations, the perception and management of conflicts, the history of emotions, the Cold War’s impact on societies and sciences in East and West and the culture of remembrance that has emerged since 1990. The Center carries out independent projects, promotes German and international scholars through fellowships and offers public lectures, conferences and exhibitions.
The research interests of the Berliner Kolleg Kalter Krieg | Berlin Center for Cold War Studies are particularly directed at the theme of “Grenzen des Kalten Krieges | Compromising the Cold War“. Not the least, this focus refers to the limits of perceptions of order and patterns of thinking. What could be said and done under the conditions of the Cold War? When, why and under what conditions were entrenched modes of political thinking crossed, undermined or completely suspended? Who were the actors? What lines could be shifted, and how far?
This approach lends itself to various fields of research. In foreign and security policy the view is drawn to diplomatic negotiations as well as disarmament and detente initiatives; it is equally productive for analyzing the Cold War’s societal, intellectual and economic histories: Which actors tested, undermined or overcame the borders of the Cold War? The question here is not only to what extent their initiatives and practices helped soften solidified fronts, but also what other benefits they yielded. All in all, investigating the frontiers of the Cold War promises new insights into the ambivalence, contradictions and multi-fractured dynamics of this era.
For the upcoming academic year (October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018) the Berlin Center for Cold War Studies will award postdoctoral research fellowships to emerging and established scholars in the field of history. You may apply either for a six or a twelve months fellowship.
The 2017/2018 scholarships will be awarded to applicants with a special interest in the history of conflict moderation during the Cold War. When and by which means did conflict moderation succeed or fail? Who was involved? What were the intellectual and political guidelines, where did they originate, who sponsored them? Was there a mutual relation or impact between civil society-actors and professional diplomats? Which conflicts were moderated, which ignored? Are these modes of conflict moderation of any relevance for the post-Cold War world? Historians of international relations, of the history of détente and arms control, of cultural affairs and the history of ideas are encouraged to submit their applications.
Fellows will be granted the opportunity to launch or complete a major, independent scholarly project and, if needed, to conduct research in German and Berlin archives. The grant will not be awarded for the completion of dissertation manuscripts.
We presuppose that all applicants are willing to cooperate with colleagues from the participating institutions (Hamburg Institute for Social Research, the Institute of Contemporary History Munich-Berlin, the Federal Foundation for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Eastern Germany and the Humboldt University Berlin). Fellows are also expected during their stay in Berlin to give a public lecture on their topic. If they are staying for twelve months, they are also requested to host a non-public workshop on an issue related to their project.
Fellowship Benefits
Fellowships carry a monthly award of € 2,200.00. If required, a monthly allowance of € 400.00 is added for family / children, which might partially be allocated for the rent.
Fellows must reside in Berlin. An apartment will be provided if they are not from Berlin. Travel costs (air/rail) to arrive in and depart from Berlin will be covered. Also covered are mobility costs for public transportation and visits to archives within Germany totaling max. € 450.00 monthly as well as research costs totaling max. € 100.00 monthly.
The Center assumes that fellows are given leave without pay by their home institutions for the duration of the fellowship. The Center explicitly welcomes offers by researchers’ home institutions to participate in financing the stay in Berlin. In this case, details on the manner and amount of possible financing are kindly requested.
The partners of the Center are devoted to a balanced gender ratio in all their personnel decisions. For this reason, we are principally encouraging women to answer our job postings. In addition, all partners are dedicated to the further improvement of a balanced family and professional life. Disabled applicants with equal qualification and aptitude will be given preferential consideration.
