May 27-30, 2024 - Lebanon
Application Deadline: April 1,2024
The University of Exeter’s Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS) and the Arab Council for the Social Sciences are soliciting letters of interest from doctoral students, junior scholars, and other researchers for an Institute on “Mapping Arab Region-China Connections”, which will be held from May 27-30, 2024 in Lebanon.
About the Mapping Connections Project
Mapping Connections is a three-year research project based at the University of Exeter’s Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies. Funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and in collaboration with the Arab Council of Social Sciences (ACSS) and the InterAsia Partnership, the project supports and mentors Early Career scholars working on various aspects of the Middle East’s evolving relationship with China. In addition to creating new knowledge about China and the Middle East, the project seeks to strengthen academic collaboration between scholars working in (and on) the Middle East and China. The project is led by Professor Adam Hanieh and supported by an Advisory Board of prominent scholars.
Objectives
The aim of the Institute is to bring together doctoral students, early career scholars, and other junior researchers for training and mentoring with a team of faculty members who will provide sessions on a range of methodological and theoretical approaches. The Institute will also include professional development sessions that will equip participants with necessary ethical and methodological tools, and help them navigate logistical obstacles while conducting research on this theme. Candidates from all social science backgrounds including anthropology, economics, politics, development studies, sociology, women and gender studies, and political economy are welcome to apply.
Structure
The Institute will focus on five main components:
· Mentoring Sessions: The mentoring sessions will involve participants presenting their research and receiving written feedback from the faculty session leaders as well as from other participants.
· Thematic Sessions: The thematic sessions will involve faculty members and guest speakers presenting on themes related to China and the Arab region. With that aim in mind, faculty leaders will provide a range of readings for participants that will structure the theoretical and methodological sessions.
· Writing Sessions: During writing sessions, participants will work on further conceptualizing their research topics based on the taught thematic sessions.
· Professionalization Sessions: The professionalization sessions will involve participants and faculty leaders discussing issues pertinent to academic publishing, fieldwork, teaching, and other professional concerns.
· A Public Session focusing on InterAsian connections and featuring members and affiliates of the larger InterAsia Partnership, which seeks to re-envision Asia as an interconnected formation through developing transregional frames that transcend conventional academic and geopolitical labels.
All sessions will be conducted in both Arabic and English with simultaneous translation.
Expected Outputs
Participants in the Institute will be expected to publish one blog piece on the Mapping Connections Website and may be invited to develop their research and publish it on partner websites. These contributions may also appear as part of an edited academic book currently under preparation by the Mapping Connections team.
Eligibility
· The Institute targets junior researchers working within themes relevant to Arab region – China connections. Junior researchers, such as those with a Master’s degree, or those who are completing a PhD degree or who are within 3 years of their post-PhD careers, are eligible to apply. However, a PhD is not a requirement for applying. Experienced researchers, activists and journalists without a PhD are also eligible to apply.
· Applicants must have an existing research project of their own related to the Institute theme (whether current or past), even if it is at a very preliminary stage. Interested researchers must submit a research proposal as part of their application to work on during these sessions. Proposed research must focus on the Arab region-China connections, and applicants with a South-South oriented project are welcome to apply.
· Applicants will be required to submit all application materials in English, but can choose to present in either English or Arabic. Applicants need not have academic command of Arabic, but must be fluent in conversational Arabic.
Travel and Accommodation
· The Mapping Connections Project and ACSS will cover travel, transportation, accommodation, and meals for all participants for the duration of the Institute.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit an application on the ACSS Applications Platform. The deadline is 11:59 pm (Beirut time) April 1, 2024. On the applications platform, applicants must select the chapter titled “Institute on Mapping Arab Region-China Connections 2024.”
Applications must include:
· Completed profile on the ACSS Applications Platform.
· An application form including the following attachments (these must be submitted in English):
o Research Proposal (1000 words, excluding the bibliography). The proposal must concisely and clearly lay out the primary research question, the background and rationale, the methodology, literature review and theoretical framework. Applicants must clearly state the previous research on this topic the candidate has already conducted.
o A cover letter/personal narrative (500 words) summarizing your overall research trajectory, where you are in your current research project, how this opportunity will benefit your research plans or professional development, and your prior experience in the Arab region.
o An updated CV including a list of publications, grants and distinctions (where applicable).
Selection Process
A Selection Committee composed of core members of the project will review applications and decide on a list of finalists. Those finalists may be asked to submit more detailed information before they are officially accepted into the Institute. Final participants will be selected based on the merits of their proposals and the relevance of their research interests and backgrounds to the topic.
For Inquiries
For any questions about the program, please contact Professor Adam Hanieh, a.hanieh@exeter.ac.uk
If you have technical difficulties with the application, please contact Wassim Alam, alam@theacss.org
Timeline
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024
Selection Notification: April 8, 2024
Confirmation of participation by accepted applicants: April 15, 2024
Summer Institute: May 27, 2024 – May 30, 2024