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Each year the Changing Europe Summer School (2008: Bremen, sales 28 July – 2 August) brings together about 30 young academics (i.e. mainly doctoral students from disciplines like political science, economics, sociology, social anthropology, law and geography) working on issues related to countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Participation in the Summer School gives them a chance to present and discuss their research projects and to become better integrated into the academic community. The deadline for receipt of paper proposals is 05 January 2008.

The topic: The political systems, economies and societies of post-socialist Central and Eastern European countries have been affected by outside influences more than in any preceding wave of democratisation in this ever-shrinking world. Most Central European states quickly and successfully set course for EU and NATO membership, which had major implications for the transformation of their polities, societies and economies. States and societies on the territory of the former Soviet Union and in the Balkans had much bumpier trajectories, resulting in a broad spectrum of hybrid political regimes with varying degrees of global integration. 

 

As globalisation is a two-way street, the Changing Europe Summer School 2008 will focus on two sets of issues: The first evolves around the influence of external impulses on the transformation processes in Central and Eastern Europe in the era of ongoing globalisation. The second addresses the ways in which political systems, societies and economies have reacted (and continue to react) to these external forces and how they integrate themselves into the global environment. 

 

The Summer School: Each year the Changing Europe Summer School brings together about 30 young academics (i.e. mainly doctoral students from disciplines like political science, economics, sociology, social anthropology, law and geography) working on issues related to countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Participation in the Summer School gives them a chance to present and discuss their research projects and to become better integrated into the academic community.  The core of the Summer School consists of the presentation of doctoral research projects and their discussion with senior researchers of international repute in their respective fields. In addition, there will be several sessions with experts on how to acquire funding, obtain access to information, get published and make oneself heard by decision-makers. The sessions will be framed by lectures and excursions as well as other activities designed to give participants the opportunity to socialise and establish contacts. Selected contributions to the Summer School will be published in an edited volume. The participants will be integrated into an alumni network.

 

Paper proposals: Paper proposals must be based on original research and may not exceed 1000 words. They must be drafted in English and must connect an empirical question with a theoretical approach and concept in order to be accepted. Comparative approaches (inter- as well as intra-regional) are encouraged. An international review panel will assess the papers for the conference in an anonymous review process. The deadline for receipt of paper proposals is 05 January 2008. If you want to apply to the Changing Europe Summer School 2008, please use the application form.

 

Costs: Funding by the Volkswagen Foundation covers travel costs as well as accommodation and participation fees.

 

Location: University of Bremen, www.uni-bremen.de