The Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences (BGSS) is calling for applications to its international Doctoral Program starting in October 2011. Applicants may submit their applications via the BGSS online platform at www.bgss.hu-berlin.de from January 3 to February 16, 2011.  Research proposals should relate to the comparative analysis of the following research areas and topics. The combination of areas and topics is welcome: 

Inclusion

• social inequality and well-being

• social protest and social conflict

• migration and cultural diversity

• the clash and the management of collective identities

Democracy

• performance of mature and young democracies

• processes of democratization, and the resilience of autocracy

• multilevel and multinational policy

• political institutions, political conflict, and the welfare state

Knowledge

• scientific knowledge in processes of policy-making

• the impact of science and religion on processes of inclusion and democratization

• communicating knowledge in public spheres

• the governance of science

Admission is based on academic excellence and is open to students with a Master’s degree or equivalent in the social sciences (sociology, political science and neighbouring disciplines). We expect a high-level knowledge of current theoretical debates in the social sciences and in-depth knowledge of either quantitative or qualitative techniques of social research as well as a commitment to empirical research. English proficiency at an academic level is assumed.

Doctoral researchers are awarded scholarships of up to 1200€/month for a maximum of 36 months, contingent on the successful completion of each year. Applicants with alternative funding are welcome; we provide incentives for applications for external funding.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences
Email: bgss@sowi.hu-berlin.de
Web: www.bgss.hu-berlin.de