Thematic Network “Literature – Knowledge – Media” (2nd Funding Phase)

The thematic network “Literature – Knowledge – Media” (project leader: Prof. Dr. Joseph Vogl) aims at strengthening the research profile of the departments of literary, cultural, and media studies an Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. It furthermore wants to broaden the interdisciplinary approach of the departments and position them in a larger international frame. Cooperating partners are: Cornell University; Harvard University; Indiana University Bloomington; New York University; Princeton University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Michigan; and Yale University. The cooperation between these universities and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is steadily extended and stabilized to guarantee long lasting relationships. The projects consists of four different types of actions: 1) periodic strategic meetings of the PIs and coordinating staff in which the networks basic strategy and topics are discussed and modified if need be; 2) regular exchange programs from graduate students to PhD students, postdocs, and faculty. The format of these exchanges is organized according to the specific projects of graduate students and PhD students. (e.g. graduate conferences); 3) informal academic meet-ups and research stays abroad (guest lectures, short term seminars, small working groups). These enable the short and flexible management of various research interests; 4) combination of research perspectives and measures that benefit the organisational integration of the network: For the last two years of funding (first funding phase 2015–2018), the two main topics will be “institutions” and “circulations”. These will be the subject of a summer school and an international conference.