The Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI) in Klosterneuburg (Austria) announces 5 Writing-Up Fellowships for late-stage PhD students working on topics related to “Dealing with diversity in the life and sustainability sciences”.
The Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI) is an independent center of advanced studies in the life and sustainability sciences. The mission of the KLI is to enable scientific reasoning dedicated to understanding and sustaining life in its biological, cognitive, social, and cultural diversity. At the KLI, we are committed to contribute to addressing pressing social-environmental challenges of our time through inter- and transdisciplinary research. We especially support theoretical and conceptual research as well as philosophical and historical work in the life and sustainability sciences. In line with this mission, we recognize equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as fundamental values of our institute. We believe that only if research institutions engage with the broadest spectrum of views, opinions and experiences will we be able to contribute to addressing the pressing societal and environmental challenges of our world through research.
“Dealing with diversity in the life and sustainability sciences”
Diversity is a fundamental and defining characteristic of life on Earth. Diversity comes in many interconnected forms: from human biological diversity (e.g., of morphologies and genomes) to cultural and cognitive diversity (e.g., of languages and knowledge systems) and biodiversity (e.g., of organisms, species, and entire ecosystems). In the history of life, these different manifestations of diversity have co-evolved over millions of years and, in the present, they still are inextricably interdependent. However, diversity is under threat on many fronts. On a daily basis, we experience an exponential loss of life forms, from species extinction to the disappearance of traditional and indigenous cultures. The increasing loss of diversity endangers the integrity of ecosystems, depletes the resources our societies rely on, and threatens the livelihood, especially, of the most vulnerable. Thus, a major imperative for research in the life and sustainability sciences is to learn how to deal with diversity in its different manifestations, from understanding diversity to preserving and fostering it.
This call aims to support an interdisciplinary cohort of late-stage PhD students whose work deals with diversity in the life and sustainability sciences. The 5 KLI Writing-up Fellowships are not restricted to specific topics or approaches. However, as A Home to Theory that Matters, the KLI will support projects that engage with theoretical and conceptual work in the life and sustainability sciences as well as philosophical, historical, and sociological work related to these fields. Though not exclusively, we look forward to receiving applications especially in the following research areas:
1. Theories and concepts to explain the evolution of human diversity:
Which theoretical and conceptual framings are needed to explain the plethora of phenotypes we see in human populations, today (from morphologies to individual and social behaviors to cognition, language, and cultures)? How can these framings help to integrate methodologies and evidence (e.g. morphological and genomic evidence) dealing with the multiplicity of factors (e.g. environmental, cultural, social) underpinning the emergence of biological and cultural diversity in human populations? How can we evaluate the most plausible explanations that account for human variability as well as the processes and factors involved in human evolution? What forms of reasoning and methodological approaches are needed to make sense of new data (e.g., from morphological to genomic)? What are the ethical and philosophical implications of theories and approaches from the past (e.g., eugenic and race theories) used to explain human evolution? How do legacies from such approaches influence current research and how can scientists deal with them in their own work? What theories and conceptual approaches can contribute to overcome these legacies?
2. Theories and concepts to understand and foster diversity of life forms:
Which theories and conceptual framings do we need to capture and explain the interdependencies and co-evolution of diversity of life forms, such as cognitive, cultural, social, and biological diversity? How can we explain the interconnection between the loss of cognitive or cultural diversity and the loss of other species or ecosystems diversity? How can we define and decide upon parameters, indicators, and concepts to assess diversity of life forms? Which frameworks and research approaches (e.g., ecological models; evolutionary models) can support efforts to preserve and foster diversity of life forms? Which kind of framings can support actions aiming to preserve and foster diversity of life forms locally and globally? How can we integrate insights from socio-economic sciences as well as social-ecological research and transformation studies to value and foster diversity of life forms? How can theories enhance research approaches (e.g. inter- and transdisciplinary research) to be able to value and foster diversity of life forms? And which theories and approaches can help predict future scenarios of diversity of life forms (e.g. biodiversity) on Earth?
3. Theories and concepts about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the life and sustainability sciences:
How do the life and sustainability sciences engage with issues of diversity of knowledge systems? How can work in the philosophy, history, and social studies of science support efforts to deal with these issues? How can such efforts be non-hierarchical, acknowledging the asymmetries of power that animate engagement with non-Western knowledge systems? How can work in the life and sustainability sciences engage with postcolonial theory and indigenous knowledge to decolonize research? How can feminist epistemology, queer theories, and intersectional studies nurture and inform the way inter and transdisciplinary collaborations deal with difference and identity in these fields? How do the environmental sciences engage with questions of climate and social justice? How has research in this field accommodated concerns based on inequities related to, for instance, class, caste, race, and gender in its analytical approaches? How can the life and sustainability sciences engage with and nurture subaltern voices? What theoretical framings can help to include the voices of people with different abilities in the life and sustainability sciences?
Who is encouraged to apply?
The 5 KLI Writing-up fellowships aim to support doctoral students in the final stage of their PhD research. Writing-up fellowships are individual fellowships awarded to work independently on the applicant’s research project supervised by their advisor in the home university. The 5 fellowships are especially well-suited for two categories of PhD students:
Which theoretical and conceptual framings are needed to explain the plethora of phenotypes we see in human populations, today (from morphologies to individual and social behaviors to cognition, language, and cultures)? How can these framings help to integrate methodologies and evidence (e.g. morphological and genomic evidence) dealing with the multiplicity of factors (e.g. environmental, cultural, social) underpinning the emergence of biological and cultural diversity in human populations? How can we evaluate the most plausible explanations that account for human variability as well as the processes and factors involved in human evolution? What forms of reasoning and methodological approaches are needed to make sense of new data (e.g., from morphological to genomic)? What are the ethical and philosophical implications of theories and approaches from the past (e.g., eugenic and race theories) used to explain human evolution? How do legacies from such approaches influence current research and how can scientists deal with them in their own work? What theories and conceptual approaches can contribute to overcome these legacies?
2. Theories and concepts to understand and foster diversity of life forms:
Which theories and conceptual framings do we need to capture and explain the interdependencies and co-evolution of diversity of life forms, such as cognitive, cultural, social, and biological diversity? How can we explain the interconnection between the loss of cognitive or cultural diversity and the loss of other species or ecosystems diversity? How can we define and decide upon parameters, indicators, and concepts to assess diversity of life forms? Which frameworks and research approaches (e.g., ecological models; evolutionary models) can support efforts to preserve and foster diversity of life forms? Which kind of framings can support actions aiming to preserve and foster diversity of life forms locally and globally? How can we integrate insights from socio-economic sciences as well as social-ecological research and transformation studies to value and foster diversity of life forms? How can theories enhance research approaches (e.g. inter- and transdisciplinary research) to be able to value and foster diversity of life forms? And which theories and approaches can help predict future scenarios of diversity of life forms (e.g. biodiversity) on Earth?
3. Theories and concepts about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the life and sustainability sciences:
How do the life and sustainability sciences engage with issues of diversity of knowledge systems? How can work in the philosophy, history, and social studies of science support efforts to deal with these issues? How can such efforts be non-hierarchical, acknowledging the asymmetries of power that animate engagement with non-Western knowledge systems? How can work in the life and sustainability sciences engage with postcolonial theory and indigenous knowledge to decolonize research? How can feminist epistemology, queer theories, and intersectional studies nurture and inform the way inter and transdisciplinary collaborations deal with difference and identity in these fields? How do the environmental sciences engage with questions of climate and social justice? How has research in this field accommodated concerns based on inequities related to, for instance, class, caste, race, and gender in its analytical approaches? How can the life and sustainability sciences engage with and nurture subaltern voices? What theoretical framings can help to include the voices of people with different abilities in the life and sustainability sciences?
Who is encouraged to apply?
The 5 KLI Writing-up fellowships aim to support doctoral students in the final stage of their PhD research. Writing-up fellowships are individual fellowships awarded to work independently on the applicant’s research project supervised by their advisor in the home university. The 5 fellowships are especially well-suited for two categories of PhD students:
Those who have completed empirical research and wish to use the Writing-up fellowship to elaborate on the (conceptual, epistemological, and methodological) underpinnings and implications of their work.
Those whose research deals with the historical, philosophical, and conceptual foundations of research in the disciplines mentioned above in relation to diversity.
Both categories of PhD students should be interested in and eager to extend their research perspective by drawing on novel concepts of evolutionary theorizing based on long-standing work done at the KLI.
Details of the fellowships:
Duration: KLI Writing-up fellowships are awarded for a period of maximum 6 months. The minimum fellowship duration is three months.
Starting date: Fellowships must start within the calendar year of 2021. Ideally, a start date in September/October 2021 is encouraged.
Eligibility criteria:
Duration: KLI Writing-up fellowships are awarded for a period of maximum 6 months. The minimum fellowship duration is three months.
Starting date: Fellowships must start within the calendar year of 2021. Ideally, a start date in September/October 2021 is encouraged.
Eligibility criteria:
Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program.Applicants are in the final stages of their PhD work (as certified by their advisor).Applicants should remain in close exchange with their PhD advisor.
Benefits of working at the KLI:
Being part of the KLI Resident Fellowship Program: Students awarded a KLI Writing-up fellowship will be part of the KLI Resident Fellowship Program and will enjoy all benefits connected to this position.
While working on their own project, the Writing-up fellows will participate in the regular activities of the KLI (e.g., KLI Colloquia, KLI Lab).
The Writing-up fellows will also be able to participate in workshops and professional development activities at the KLI.
The successful applicants will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and will be connected to a wide network of scholars and institutions inside and outside Vienna.
Relocation Allowance: The KLI will cover transportation costs for the move to Vienna or Klosterneuburg. The KLI will provide accommodation in the vicinity of the institute for the first two weeks of the fellowship.
Travel Budget: KLI Writing-up Fellowship provides a travel budget to attend scientific events related to the project.
Use of KLI facilities and library: Each fellow will have a workspace in the beautiful and stimulating facilities of the KLI.
Being part of the KLI Resident Fellowship Program: Students awarded a KLI Writing-up fellowship will be part of the KLI Resident Fellowship Program and will enjoy all benefits connected to this position.
While working on their own project, the Writing-up fellows will participate in the regular activities of the KLI (e.g., KLI Colloquia, KLI Lab).
The Writing-up fellows will also be able to participate in workshops and professional development activities at the KLI.
The successful applicants will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and will be connected to a wide network of scholars and institutions inside and outside Vienna.
Relocation Allowance: The KLI will cover transportation costs for the move to Vienna or Klosterneuburg. The KLI will provide accommodation in the vicinity of the institute for the first two weeks of the fellowship.
Travel Budget: KLI Writing-up Fellowship provides a travel budget to attend scientific events related to the project.
Use of KLI facilities and library: Each fellow will have a workspace in the beautiful and stimulating facilities of the KLI.
For more information on how to apply visit https://www.kli.ac.at/content/en/fellowships/call_wu-fellowships2020
