The Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) calls for proposals to coordinate two “Plataformas para el Diálogo” at its headquarters in Guadalajara, Mexico. The “Plataforma para el Diálogo” is a collaborative format to promote and encourage interdisciplinary, interregional and intergenerational discussion in relation to a defined topic. It is an academic event (symposium, workshop, etc.) designed for a group of 15 to 30 participants, and can last from two to five days. As financial support, up to EUR 20,000 are granted for the realization of the event.

Thematic focus
Latin America counts on significant experiences in the processing of multiple crises. In facing these challenges, theoretical and empirical approaches are generated which are important not only for the region, but also for the understanding and general solutions to humanity’s current problems. CALAS’ trans-disciplinary research on “Coping with Crises from Latin American Perspectives” focuses on critical questions about how these crises and processes of change are provoked, accelerated, decelerated, perceived and reflected by different social actors. What strategies for coping with crises at multiple levels emerge in the process? How can new problem-solving approaches, including those of a transregional nature, be effective or institutionalized?
Proposals that are submitted should address in one way or another these general approaches of CALAS. We particularly welcome projects that show interest in more than one of the research areas covered by CALAS, and whose academic profile guarantees the interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological focuses which are required for research at CALAS. In this sense, it is expected that the “Plataformas para el Diálogo” projects contribute to reflecting, deconstructing and decentralizing the state of knowledge centered in the West on concepts, dynamics and solutions, and thus adapt them to the context of the region.
For more information about CALAS, please visit the Centre’s website: www.calas.lat.

Conditions
The call is open to academics with university formation in the Humanities or Social Sciences. At least one of the coordinators must have completed a doctorate and have experience in organizing scientific events. As CALAS promotes international, interdisciplinary and transatlantic dialogue, preference is given to small teams of 2-3 coordinators from different disciplines and countries.
CALAS is committed to inclusion and the goal of gender equality. It explicitly welcomes applications from qualified persons with severe disabilities and handicaps. The CALAS scholarship program aims at gender parity and promotes affirmative action policies.
The administrative staff of CALAS in Guadalajara will take care of all organizational matters related to the event (invitations, logistics, travel and accommodation, financial arrangements).
The organizing team of the event is responsible for delivering a written report of the event, no later than 4 weeks after its completion.

Application
Fill out the online application form and add the following documents in pdf format in Spanish or English:

• Motivation letter explaining how the theme of the Plataforma para el Diálogo fits into the CALAS research program and what the expectations are.
• Two-page curriculum vitae of the coordinators with list of relevant publications
• Copies of the most recent academic degree certificate
• Detailed proposal of the topic and issues to be addressed; including the current state of international research in the field with basic literature, applicants’ preparatory work related to the topic; information about the expected result (plans to publish / disseminate the results of the project), prospects for future collaboration, budget calculation; Maximum length: 8 pages (4000 words).
• Preliminary discussion-oriented program with a list of potential speakers (names, disciplines, country, email address, confirmed yes/no) and call for participants if applicable.
• If the organizers have additional funds, the application must provide details on the type of funding, the volume and how these funds will be used.

Important dates:

• Opening of the call: January 31, 2022
• Closing of the call: April 20, 2022
• Notification of results: August 15, 2022
• Realization of the platform: The Platforms are expected to take place between January and November 2023. To see available dates, consult the calendar of events on the CALAS website

Due to the number of requests, rejections cannot be justified.

Further Information: Dr. Jochen Kemner, Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies, tel. ++52 33 3819 3000 (ext. 23594), info@calas.lat