Deadline:
September 29, 2024
Location(s)
Switzerland
Lucerne
Overview
As part of our commitment to furthering academic collaboration and exchange, the institute sponsors a Visiting Fellow Programme for young researchers. The aim of the scheme is to enable promising doctoral candidates and early-career scholars to spend a period of time in Lucerne, during which they can share and develop research and teaching ideas with our members. We believe that the academic and international diversity of our fellows greatly enriches the intellectual life of the institute.
A new round of applications for 2025 will open next year.
Details
The Institute for Interdisciplinary Legal Studies – lucernaiuris is a hub for cutting-edge teaching and research that crosses traditional boundaries between law, the humanities and the social sciences. It holds a distinctive position within the national and international academic landscape as an innovative forum for intellectual exchange and collaboration.
The institute’s activities currently focus on the following main themes:
- Law, Media and Technology
- Histories of Law and Justice
- Constitutional History
- Urban Legal History
- Law, Arts and Humanities
- Law and Bioethics
Our Teaching & Research
- Teaching
At the core of our teaching philosophy lies a firm conviction of the importance of what in German are usually referred to as the ‘foundational subjects’ (juristische Grundlagenfächer) for the discipline of legal studies. Our courses encourage students to engage with the historical, philosophical, economic, social and cultural dimensions of law, in the belief that such an approach is vital in (i) strengthening contextual and foundational knowledge; (ii) enhancing methodological competence in understanding structural and systemic connections; (iii) promoting critical reflection on the meaning and validity of positive law; and (iv) boosting the skills needed for practice as a lawyer, including analysis, evaluation and communication.
- Research
The institute is committed to advancing pioneering research and projects. We pride ourselves on being a hub of contact and exchange – an open laboratory for the discussion of issues and ideas, methods and theories. This openness is reflected in the work of our members, a great deal of which is based on innovative, often cross-disciplinary, collaborations with colleagues in Lucerne or at other institutions at home and abroad.
Each year, we run a varied programme of lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences. These activities enable us to not only foster a vibrant research community that brings together established and emerging academics, but to also consolidate existing national and international networks, and support new collaborations.
Visiting Fellows
It is in the spirit of furthering academic collaboration and exchange that the institute sponsors a Visiting Fellows scheme. The aim of the initiative is to enable visitors to spend a period of time in Lucerne, during which they can share and develop research and teaching ideas with our members. We believe that the academic and international diversity of our fellows greatly enriches the intellectual life of the institute.
Each year, the institute allocates a limited number of funded fellowships for PhD students and postdocs. The grant covers travel and accommodation costs (up to a designated maximum), with the possibility of an additional stipend to defray supplementary living expenses. Applications are submitted in response to an annual call.
Duration of Fellowship
- The standard period of tenure of a fellowship is between thirty and sixty days.
- Exceptions to the above are possible. They must, however, be well founded and are made at the discretion of the assessment committee.
During their stay, fellows are generally expected to:
- participate in the institute’s activities (workshops, seminars, lectures, conferences);
- meet regularly with our members and other fellows;
- avail themselves of further opportunities for exchange;
- be in residence in Lucerne.
Agreements on specific work tasks are made prior to commencement of the fellowship in liaison with the Head of Institute, Associate Director and/or designated academic mentor. These will be tailored to the needs, expectations and experience of individual fellows. Options might include:
- presentation of a paper at a research seminar/colloquium;
- delivery of a guest lecture as part of a teaching module;
- (co-)organisation of a seminar or workshop
Upon completion of their stay, fellows are requested to write a brief feedback report (ca. 500 words)
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility
- The scheme is open to PhD and postdoctoral researchers.
- There are no restrictions on nationality or country of residence.
- The standard term limit for postdocs is up to five years after the completion of the PhD, whereby the reference date is 1 January (i.e. applicants should not have defended before 1 January 2018).
- Exceptions to the above are possible. They must, however, be well founded and are made at the discretion of the assessment committee.
Please be advised, however, that it is the responsibility of the applicant to check necessary visa requirements for visiting Switzerland. The University’s Welcome Centre may be able to offer assistance in this regard.
Dates
Deadline: September 29, 2024
Cost/funding for participants
The fellowships provide a grant to cover travel and accommodation costs (up to a designated maximum), with the possibility of an additional stipend to defray supplementary living expenses. The standard period of tenure is between four and eight weeks. Applications are submitted in response to an annual call.
The institute offers visiting fellows a vibrant environment within which to pursue their research. Participants are encouraged to attend our events, present their work in one of our research fora, and to avail themselves of further opportunities for exchange with our members and visitors. All fellows are provided with workspace, as well as access to University of Lucerne facilities, computer services and library resources.
Fellowship grants are comprised of three main components:
- Reimbursement of return travel costs from country of residence to Lucerne (standard class, up to a maximum of 1’500 CHF);
- Coverage of accommodation costs (studio apartment/shared flat in Lucerne);
- Living allowance of between 100 CHF and 150 CHF per week for the duration of stay (dependent on current appointment and salary)
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
