The EISCAS project offers two Central Asian Master Classes (CAMC) to MA and PhD students working on Central Asia that are currently enrolled at one of our nine consortium partners (see below). (Last-year BA students are eligible as well.) One Master Class will take place in May 2019 and one in April 2020. In each Intensive Study Program (ISP) about 30 students will be selected to participate.
Each ISP is a unique opportunity for students to attend master classes on Central Asian Studies (CAS), meet top scholars in the field, personally consult their MA/PhD dissertation topics with these scholars, and ponder future career trajectories after attending plenary panels with non-academic professionals working on CA. In addition, each ISP offers some classes on soft skills.
FOR WHOM: The CAMC is primarily aimed at MA students and junior PhD students working on Central Asia in the fields of history, social & political sciences, anthropology or other Area Studies or subdisciplines of the Humanities. The CAMC is directed at those students that aspire to become Central Asia specialists and/or are currently writing a dissertation about CA. (Final year BA students can also eligible on condition they are writing a BA-paper on this topic.)
Eligible for priority funding are students from the following universities:
- Adam Mickiewicz University – Poland (Coordinating institution)
- Charles University in Prague – Czech Republic
- Dublin City University – Republic of Ireland
- University of Eastern Finland – Finland
- SOAS, University of London – Great Britain
- Universiteit Gent – Belgium
- University of Coimbra – Portugal
- University of Glasgow – Great Britain
- University of Paris-Sud – France
WHERE & WHEN: The CAMC will be hosted by Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland either in May 2019 or from 17-26 April 2020.
PROGRAM: The CAMC offers a range of lectures on Central Asian Studies as well as dissertation seminars by top CAS scholars from at least 8 research institutions. In addition, there will be courses on generic and soft skills for young academics, lectures on career advice, and meetings with non-academic professionals working in or on Central Asia.
- 11 Multi-disciplinary classes by academic staff (from project partners) on the history, politics and societies in CA.
- 4 Lectures/workshops on career advice by outside experts for students (and their teachers) on the needs and offers of the labor market for CAS alumni.
- 3 workshops for CAS students on generic/soft skills and competences
- Face-to-face consultations (5 hours) between students and CAS researchers according to discipline/expertise to consult their MA/PhD research agenda or dissertation topic.
WHAT DOES EISCAS OFFER: The project offers Full Funding for applicants from EISCAS institutions: each applicant selected for funding will receive: flight tickets, travel insurance, and accommodation (in double rooms), food and local transport tickets for the whole duration of the CAMC.
The Project offers Partial Funding for applicants from non-EISCAS institutions. This includes accommodation (in double rooms), food and local transport tickets for the whole duration of the CAMC.
There is no tuition fee or administrative cost for the Master Class. After completion students will receive a certificate and where possible the ISP will be recognized by partner institutions for 2 ECTS.
ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION CRITERIA: When the call for application is opened, applicants will be required to send the following documents in electronic version (through the application form on this website):
- Application Form
- Scan of proof of enrollment (in English) at an eligible partner institution (see list of institutions below designated for full funding)
- Copy of valid travel documents (passport or national ID) for the duration of the event (scan)
- Motivation letter (In English)
- Outline of their MA/PhD dissertation topic (In English)
- Scan of their BA/MA diploma (with list of grades – if possible, in English) *
- CV in English (please use the ‘Europass’ or a similar format)
- Proof of English knowledge (with international recognized certificate or guarantee by sending institution) – native speakers will be absolved from this last criterion. **
* In case you are a last-year BA-student, an overview of grades from the previous years is acceptable.
** If you are a student of a EISCAS consortium partner institution and do not possess a language certificate, please contact your local coordinator at your institution to verify your knowledge of English – native speakers will be absolved from this last criterion.
Participating MA/PhD (and senior BA) students will be selected according to the following criteria:
- Academic merit
- The quality of their research plan for their thesis/dissertation
- Level of English (threshold criterion)
- Motivation
- The conformity of their research to the offered lectures & consultations at the ISP
- Extracurricular activities documented in annex(es) to application form
Eligible EISCAS project partners are:
- Adam Mickiewicz University – Poland (Coordinating institution)
- Charles University in Prague – Czech Republic
- Dublin City University – Republic of Ireland
- University of Eastern Finland – Finland
- SOAS, University of London – Great Britain
- Universiteit Gent – Belgium
- University of Coimbra – Portugal
- University of Glasgow – Great Britain
- University of Paris-Sud – France
For a list of local coordinators: click here.