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Fellows_Beitrag

Call for Fellows 2022

Extractivism.de is a collaborative research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project is based at the University of Kassel and the Philipps-University of Marburg. Its primary purpose is to research natural resource extractivism in Latin America and the Maghreb.

Extractivism.de is accepting applications for residence fellowships for highly qualified researchers. Fellowships are funded for up to three (3) months in Marburg and/or Kassel from May until December 2022. Applicants are expected to contribute to theory building and develop new approaches to tackle the conceptualization and broader investigation of extractivism and rent societies, with an empirical focus on Latin America and/or North Africa and the Middle East, if possible.

Thematic scope of Extractivism.de

Natural resources and raw materials are among the most critical drivers of the global economy. Many Global Southern countries rely on the extraction and export of these resources for their social-economic development. Extractivism.de focuses on societies in Latin America and the Maghreb to investigate, explore, and conceptualize extractivism as a development model which imposes particular social-economic patterns. Avoiding any traditional literature’s pitfalls, the project aims to understand extractivist societies not as deviants from the Western development path but in their own logic and particularities. Considering the many challenges we face ahead due to the climate crisis, it is crucial to grasp what sustainability means to countries whose development depends on the revenues from raw materials instead of innovation, investment, diversification, or productive labor. Extractivism.de explores the „dark side of sustainability“ concerning the Global South countries and their patterns of social-economic development. As an overall guiding question, the project focuses on how and under which conditions crises within the natural resource-driven development model contribute to, accelerate, or eventually deny social change?

We combine a solid empirical focus with theoretical work, linking field research and primary data with qualitative and quantitative analysis – offering a transregional comparison. The goal is to develop new theories and methods in cross-area studies, investigating whether and why similar patterns of social change or resilience emerge in different world regions, despite significant cultural, social, or religious differences.

In its first year, the collaborative research project concentrates on conceptualization and theory-building of extractivism as a development model. In the following years, the project will deepen its agenda on two other thematic areas: the link between natural resources and societies and extractivism and cultural habitus. A future call for applications will be released in the following years on these thematic areas.

Scope of Fellowships:

Applicants are expected to contribute to theory building and developing innovative approaches to tackle extractivism and rent societies as a developing model with a possible empirical focus on Latin American and/or Middle Eastern countries. We are particularly interested in in-depth analyses of development patterns within extractivist societies concerning class, gender, political and economic institutions, culture, and international behavior. This first round of fellowships plans to identify clusters of factors that are related to the following questions:

  • Which theoretical and conceptual perspectives enable the capturing of extractivism as a development model?
  • What is the role of political, economic, social, and cultural factors in the emergence, persistence, and crisis of extractivism?
  • How can the development model be methodically explored?

A particular emphasis thereby lies on perspectives highlighting global drivers and transregional variances of extractivism. Thus, the fellowship proposals must address these research questions in one way or another.

For more information about the project, access: www.extractivism.de

Requirements and conditions:

The fellowship is open to outstanding scholars with a doctoral degree in Social Sciences and the Humanities, including Economics, Sociology, Political Science, International Relations, Anthropology and History.

The scientific committee will base its selection on academic excellence and reputation, publications, experience in the research field, and the submitted project’s quality. In addition, applicants should be familiar with at least one project language: English, German, Spanish, French or Arabic. Fellows will receive competitive financial compensation, being the amount dependent on the successful applicant’s particular situation. Moreover, Extractivism.de provides family support.

During their fellowship, applicants are expected to reside in Kassel or Marburg, participating in the project’s activities and events while engaging in research with other team members.

Extractivism.de is committed to gender equality, social inclusion, diversity, and affirmative action policies. Therefore, applicants from the Global South or belonging to any minorities are particularly welcomed. Moreover, Extractivism.de offers different venues for publishing research results and fellows are encouraged to take part in the project’s social media platforms to broadcast their research or other scholarly content.

Application:

The following documents are required in English, French or Spanish:

  • Application form,
  • A motivational letter stating why your project is a good fit and what your expectations are,
  • Short CV (max. five pages), including a list of project-related publications,
  • Copy of the doctoral certificate,
  • Research proposal with research schedule, work plan and expected outcomes (max. 2.500 words).

Applications must be sent electronically as a single PDF to

 

Important dates:

  • Deadline of application: 31.03.2022
  • Expected selection results: 15.04.2022
  • Earliest start of the fellowship: 01.06.2022

 

Downloads:

Call for Fellows

Fellowship Application Form