CfP: South/Eastern and Central European Histories of Science and the Humanities (Pre- and PostDoc Workshop)

Over the last couple of years, historians of science and the humanities have taken great interest in projects related to Eastern, Central and South Eastern Europe and their global interconnectedness. However, opportunities for a joint discussion of such projects are rare and often rely on ad hoc initiatives. We would therefore like to inaugurate a forum to discuss projects that link approaches from the history of science and the humanities with specific regional expertise.

Our seminar will bring together projects from history, sociology, literature, media studies etc. dealing with scientific endeavour and specific investigations in (academic) research, institutions, migration of knowledge etc. We will discuss perspectives on the local, regional, (post-)imperial or national frameworks of Eastern, Central and South Eastern Europe in the light of specific theoretical frames, and challenge methodological perspectives of these projects.

The seminar is open to all researchers focussing on the history of politics, materiality, and practices of (non-)academic research, discussing Eastern, Central and South Eastern Europe case studies in the broadest sense. To create a productive environment, we are particularly interested in discussing work in progress. Our discussion will be based on texts from ongoing research projects, with opening expert commentaries. The reading material will be pre-circulated among all registered participants.

The seminar South/Eastern and Central European Histories of Science and Knowledge will take place on Friday, 12 July 2019 between 10am and 6pm at the Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies in Erfurt, hosted by the research initiative (East) European Epistemologies. Working languages will be German and English, a passive understanding of both is required. For the speakers, we seek to reimburse expenditures for travel and accommodation.

Short proposals (up to one page) can be submitted by 15 March 2019 along with a CV. The texts (pdf) need to be submitted by 21 June 2019 in order to pre-circulate among all participants in time.