Jobid=c992ad8706d5 (0.1014)
Arab societies have witnessed tremendous shifts over the past decade-and-a-half. From the high hopes nurtured during the Arab Spring to the violent wars in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Gaza, the Arab public has experienced a period of immense upheaval.
These societal developments are echoed at the intellectual level. As a younger generation of intellectuals from various backgrounds – writers, artists, podcasters, journalists and academics – is entering the fray, their work will no doubt reflect these experiences. Reacting to the widely sensed disconnect between the intellectuals of the pre-2011 era and the ideals of the revolutions, many are seeking to break with the 20th century debates about how to balance the demands of (Western) modernity with the need to preserve cultural authenticity. Disillusioned by the discrepancy between the West’s liberal, democratic values and its policies in the region, Arabs are looking for alternative ideas and frames for understanding themselves, their societies, and their place in the world.
At the same time, the centres where intellectual work is taking place are shifting. The growing confidence of the Gulf states is translating into state-sponsored cultural projects that attract academics and artists from around the world and specifically from other Arab countries. Additionally, as many from the Arab world have sought refuge abroad, Arab thought is no longer exclusively made in the Arab world. Using modern technologies, it has become easier than ever to build global networks of intellectuals who can enter a common conversation as easily from Berlin as they can from Baghdad.
As a postdoctoral researcher you will research these changes as they are happening. You will look at a particular aspect of contemporary Arab thought since 2011 of your choosing and use it as a lens for taking in the broader developments in intellectual as well as political and social life in the Arab world. In cooperation with the project coordinator, Harald Viersen, you will strive to publish at least one peer-reviewed article exploring this burgeoning field and work towards preparing a grant application that will allow for more in-depth future study.
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