Research Fellowships from Princeton University in Migration, 12/01

Migration and Africa
The Princeton University African Studies Program would like to draw the attention of Africanist scholars migration theme of the Shelby Cullom Davis Center for 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. For young scholars engaged in research on Africa, Africans, and African-descent populations this theme is of particular interest. Within the framework of this theme, causes, experiences and effects of the Slave Trade and the African Diaspora, displacement of populations as a result of, for example the "Bantu Migrations," the "Mfecane," colonial conquest, warfare, and famines are especially important. Related important themes include how (forced) migrant individuals and populations adapted to new cultural, economic, political, and physical environments but also how migrants shaped their new surroundings. Competition for the 2002-2003 year is still open and in particular applicants from African- and Latin-American-based scholars are strongly encouraged to consider the opportunities offered by the center.

For further information see below and the web page of the Davis Center at http://www.princeton.edu/~davisctr (application forms are available on the web page).

Migration
During the academic years 2001-2002 and 2002 -2003, the Shelby Cullom Davis Center will devote itself to the study of migration in history. We will invite scholars to examine population movements and their demographic, social, political, and cultural causes and consequences. As in the past, we hope to address subjects and problems from a wide variety of periods and places. Topics to be addressed will include: voluntary and forced movements of people within and between regions and nations; movement towards urban centers or dispersal into surrounding countrysides; transfers of cultural objects, practices, and technologies; experiences of resocialization and the transfer, reconstruction, and creation of memories, myths, values and symbols; the role of local, national, and transnational institutions; the relationship between immigration, assimilation, and acculturation; movement in the interest of ethnic autonomy or secession, and as a response to such dangers as deprivation, religious persecution, warfare, and mass violence; and the development of large-scale and long-lasting border zones within which populations move and interact.

The Center will offer a limited number of research fellowships for one or two semesters, running from September to January and from February to June, designed for highly recommended younger scholars who have finished their dissertations as well as for senior scholars with established reputations. Fellows are expected to live in Princeton in order to take an active part in the intellectual interchange with other members of the Seminar. Funds are limited, and candidates are, therefore, strongly urged to apply to other grant-giving institutions as well as the Center, if they wish to come for a full year.

More detailed information regarding the fellowship is available via this website.
The application form is available for printing on the website.

Inquiries and requests for Fellowship Application forms should be addressed to the Manager, Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies, Department of History, 129 Dickinson Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544-1017, U.S.A.

The deadline for applications and letters of recommendation for fellowships for 2001/2002 is December 1, 2000; the deadline for academic year 2002/2003 is December 1, 2001. Scholars who would like to offer a paper to one of the weekly Seminars are asked to send a brief description of their proposal and a current curriculum vitae to the Director.

The decisions of the Executive Committee of the Davis Center will be made in the middle of January, and the applicants will be notified at the end of January.