Due to the delay in the call, the Centre for Social Studies (CES) informs the new dates for the submission of an application to CES as host institution in the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2021 call.

The Centre for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra is now accepting applications from researchers willing to have CES as the host institution for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions - Postoctoral Fellowship (MSCA).

Eligible candidates must be holders of a PhD degree and have up to 8 years of post-doctoral research experience, and comply with the following mobility criteria:

• MSCA mobility rule: the researcher cannot have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host institution for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
• The researcher must be a national or long-term resident (residing for at least 5 consecutive years) of a Member State or Associated Country (Global Fellowships only);

Proposals must align with one of the following research lines at CES:
- Thematic Line 1: (Semi)peripheral capitalism: crises and alternatives;
- Thematic Line 2: Rule of law and democracy at a crossroad
- Thematic Line 3: Europe and the Global South: heritages & dialogues
- Thematic Line 4: Risk(s), ecology and collective health
- Thematic Line 5: Urban cultures, sociabilities and participation

The application to CES is a two-step process:

• Applicants must submit a synopsis of the proposal by June 27th, through the electronic form here.
• Candidates approved in the first step will be invited to participate in a dedicated online workshop on July 21st, and must submit a complete proposal by August 8th.

The call’s official deadline is October 12th 2021 (tbc).

Please note that applications submitted after the deadline or incomplete will not be assessed by CES.

For further information, please refer to the European Commission’s webpage.
 

- Thematic Line 1: (Semi)peripheral Capitalism: Crises and Alternatives
This thematic line examines major socioeconomic transformations of capitalist societies over the last half-century. A special focus lies on the vulnerable position of (semi)peripheral countries in the world economy, including the subordinated forms of financialisation that have intensified macroeconomic, social and territorial imbalances, persistent social inequalities and international dependence. State and collective initiatives, both national and international, that have contributed to strengthen capacities threatened by previous tendencies are also scrutinised. The main objective of his thematic line is to contribute to building a socially, ecologically and territorially sustainable economy through the design of public policies that effectively and equitably address the ever more frequent economic, social, and public health crises as well as the increasingly pressing challenges of climate change.

- Thematic Line 2: Rule of Law and Democracy at a Crossroads
This thematic line examines the socio-legal and political regulation of specific forms of domination and emancipation that shape diverse and often competing understandings of democracy, human rights, and social justice, with a specific focus on the relationality between the Global North and the Global South. The main objective of this thematic line is to contribute to building robust participatory democracies engaging with the challenges posed by collective struggles that confront key interlocking systems of oppression and dehumanisation that aim to guarantee effective compliance with human rights towards resilient, anti-racist, anti-sexist, intercultural, caring societies.

- Thematic Line 3: Europe and the Global South: Heritages and Dialogues
This thematic line offers an alternative and innovative vision of contemporary European history and culture, paying attention to late imperialism, decolonization, and postcolonial legacies. Present-day Europe is increasingly being interpellated by questions which impact heavily on the very idea of “Europe” and demand a thorough rethinking of Europe’s heritages and, at the same time, of the very project of modernity, with its political, epistemological and aesthetic legacies. The main objective is to understand the challenges facing Europe (both as a concept and as a project), as part of an increasingly multipolar world, assessing current postcolonial transitions while acknowledging the legacies of the past, as well as the urgency to rethink Europe as a new possible cosmopolitan and postmigratory space.

- Thematic Line 4: Risk(s), Ecology and Public Health
The main objective of the thematic line is to promote an integrated approach to risks and threats (natural, social and technological) and their impacts on the ecosystem and on human health and well-being, building on a dialogue with approaches such as structural One Health and socially robust interventions drawing on Responsible Research and Innovation tools and procedures, developing methodologies and analytic frameworks for adequate anticipation, mitigation and recovery. This integrated approach incorporates climate change and health emergencies as a main driver, proposing sustainable and ecological alternatives to production, consumption and health and social care, and is based on collaborative and participatory methodologies.

-  Thematic Line 5: Urban Cultures, Sociabilities and Participation
Urban cultures, all over the world, are at the centre of the societal crisis that we are experiencing, be it as the result of the pandemic, the populist anti-democratic movements, the climate challenges or the social unrest resulting from increasing inequalities. As we go from uncertainty to panic, the city and all urban and sub-urban spaces are now the stage for an epoch-making change. Focused on urban cultures, this thematic line aims to explore various aspects of current developments, from everyday life habits to new mobilities, from tourism deregulation to mandatory new public health rules, from literary interpellation to socio-legal claims, from urban transformations to sustainable development.