11–21 September 2023
Objective
The 2023 autumn school of the M.S. Merian – R. Tagore International Centre of Advanced Studies ‘Metamorphoses of the Political’ (ICAS:MP) is designed to offer broad-based theoretical training to doctoral researchers and enhance methodological competence. This year’s theme is ‘Decolonization/Decolonial: Thinking across Disciplines and Geo-Histories’.
The need to decolonize knowledge is universally felt. However, what it means to decolonize thought is a matter of intense debate. In this autumn school, we discuss diverse ways in which scholars and activists have thought of this question – in different geo-historical regions of the world and across disciplines of study, thus bringing a comparative perspective to bear upon the issue of decolonization/decoloniality. The question at the heart of the school is how to move forward from the moment of a critique of Eurocentrism to a positive and substantial rethinking of the academy on a planet faced with climate and refugee crisis, pandemics, universal financialization, data extraction, resurgent nationalism and political authoritarianism. Debates from the Global South will play a central role in our deliberations.
Some ideas for topics
• Coloniality versus colonialism(s)
• Postcolonial and/or decolonial thought
• Diverse decolonial experiences in Africa, Latin America and Asia
• Decolonizing political theory
• Translation, literature and language
• Decolonizing society and sociology
• Economics and decolonization
• Technology and decolonization
• Deep ecology and decolonization
Resource persons represent various disciplinary and regional backgrounds. Some of our resource persons are Alejandro de Oto (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas ye Tecnicas [CONICET], Buenos Aires), David Scott (Columbia University, New York), Kai Kresse (Leibniz Zentrum Moderner Orient [ZMO], Berlin), Suren Pillay (University of the Western Cape), Priya Kumar (University of Delhi), and Baidik Bhattacharya (Centre for the Study of Developing Societies) and Prathama Banerjee (Centre for the Study of Developing Societies).
Practicalities
The autumn school will be organized from 11 to 21 September 2023 as an in-person event. Applications need to be submitted latest by 10 April 2023.
Students are expected to be actively involved. They should bring their thesis proposals and fieldwork/archival work into the discussions.
For participants from outside of New Delhi, ICAS:MP will organize shared accommodation and provide for some meals. They are expected to cover their travel expenses.
We offer a limited number of need-based travel grants. These are awarded based on your financial situation, application and the relevance of your research to the objectives of the autumn school. Should you wish to apply for the travel grant, please mention it along with an explanation in your statement of motivation.
Autumn School Pre-Readings
ICAS:MP will provide you with readings before the event that will encourage you to think about the key topics.
Eligibility and Application Procedure
PhD students who are at least in the second year of their PhD programme with a research interest in the theoretical framework of this project from all disciplines of the Humanities and Social Sciences are invited to apply. We also invite Early Career Scholars (max. 2 years after their PhD).
Please fill in the application form (https://owncloud.gwdg.de/index.php/s/vbacPDmX0xXGWVb) along with a statement of motivation (max. 500 words) mentioning your interest and contribution to the field of ‘Decolonization/Decolonial: Thinking across Disciplines and Geo-Histories’, and email the following documents in English as a single pdf to Ms Sukriti Manocha (manocha[at]mwsindia.org):
A detailed curriculum vitae (1–2 pages)
Confirmation of enrolment in a Doctoral Programme
A letter of reference to be sent directly by your academic supervisor to Ms Sukriti Manocha
Timeline
Application deadline: 10 April 2023
Announcement of accepted applicants: 10 May 2023
Confirmation of attendance by selected participants: 25 May 2023