Summer School Remote Ethnography – a methodological tool-kit

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Academics, Events, Students.

This summer school is divided into two parts. The first part will take place online as a preparatory meeting on Friday 14 July 2023. The second will be held at Palacky University Olomouc 31 July – 4 August 2023.  It connects introductions to Open Source Research, remote sensing, interviewing, oral history, source criticism and decolonial theory.  

 

Description:

This summer school is intended to provide students and junior researchers with a basic toolkit in remote ethnography. It aims to enable a type of research in places of limited accessibility that can provide many of the same holistic, in-depth and detailed insights that classical ethnography does. Many of the teachers invited will be specialised in Xinjiang, China or Central Asia. Therefore, many texts and examples will concern this part of the world. Still, participation is not limited to students or researchers interested in these geographical locations and aims to provide a methodological toolkit that can be employed globally.

As an increasing number of areas in the world are becoming inaccessible or ethically untenable to do on-the-ground fieldwork, anthropologists and other researchers interested in these regions turn to remote methods. Online data and data gathering are at the center of this necessary refocus. Yet, many other types of data and material can be as important in coming to terms with realities on grounds inaccessible. This summer school presents some of these and methods of accessing them. Also, recent trends in remote research focus on isolated analyses of a disparate set of data, while the approach taught in this summer school encourages researchers to combine and triangulate these data types with each other, to let the data talk to each other. The idea of remote ethnography is that ethnography is a holistic endeavour that entails a degree of immersion and acquisition of general cultural knowledge and competencies. This means creating an analytically and methodologically sound conversation between government tenders, diaspora interviews, witness accounts, satellite images, leaked speeches, popular culture productions, propaganda and lists of detained people while embedding all of this in the long-term cultural knowledge of the region and its history, political economy, narratives, logics and languages. 

The summer school  draws on previous remote research traditions, such as those established during WW2 and the Cold War, for inspiration and to craft an epistemological framework for analysing very different data. At the same time, it seeks to critically reflect on the role of the researcher and her potential contribution to colonial-type knowledge production. Critically debating the dangers of abuse for counter-insurgency and exploitation of the weak that our research may help open up are crucial parts of a developing ethics code which the workshop seeks to introduce and discuss.

 

In-person and Online:

The summer school is divided into two parts. The first part will take place online as a preparatory meeting on Friday 14 July 2023. The second will be held at Palacky University Olomouc 31 July – 4 August 2023. 

The online part will be a full day preparatory meeting including three two-hour sessions. The first session consists of a short round of introductions and short introductions into Remote Ethnography as a concept, the summer school and the methods taught in it. the second session entails somewhat more elaborate informal presentations of each participant’s work, material and interest going forward as well as some of the Remote Ethnographic work already being done or in planning by some of the convenors. The third session is devoted to preparatory readings for the workshop. The students receive a list and a number of PdF texts to prepare for the in-person summer school two weeks later.

The in-person part will cover five days. Each day has a dedicated focus-topic and one person from the organising team in charge. At the end of the summer school each student leaves with the design of a small remote ethnography related research study that they will pursue in the following two months.

 

Topics of focus:

The in-person part is divided into the following topics with (persons in charge; and suggested invited speakers) added in parentheses. 

0) Introduction and overview, history of remote research and sources to draw from (Rune Steenberg; Robbie Barnett, …)

1) Online ethnography, discourse analysis, video analysis… (David O’Brien; Hanna Burdorf, Gene Bunin, Hacer Gonul, Vanessa Frangville, …)

2) Interview techniques and oral history (Muqeddes Mijit; Rian Thum, …)

3) Remote sensing for dummies – satellite imagery, Google Map/Google Earth/Open Street Map, etc. (Martin Lavicka; Robbie Barnett, Björn Alpermann, Nathan Ruser, …)

4) Source criticism, fact checking, triangulation & decolonial theory (Vanessa Frangville; Philipp Lottholz, Deniz Yonucu, Madina Tlostanova…)

5) Bringing it all together in an holistic Remote Ethnography – and your own data and research (Rune Steenberg; …)

Topics 0) and 5) will not cover full days, nor probably will 3) and 4). 1) may span over more than one day.

The in-person part will be held hybrid with online participants allowed to join via BBB.

Enrolling:

Interested? Please contact Martin Lavicka (martin.lavicka@upol.cz) by the end of May. 

Recording:

For those who present full lectures at the workshop, we plan to record them and to put them up online as Youtube and Podcast episodes.

Call for Nominations – Aurora Fellowship at UDE

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Academics, Students.

If you are interested in deepening your cooperation with your partners the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, sign up now for the Aurora Fellowship at UDE!

The Aurora Fellowship is a two-week programme that we were able to establish with the support of the Förderverein der Universität Duisburg-Essen (the University of Duisburg-Essen’s sponsorship association).

The aim of this programme is to invite internationally renowned researchers working within the Aurora European Universities Alliance to UDE, allowing them to engage in intensive exchange with our University’s researchers, doctoral candidates, postdocs and students. For UDE, it is particularly important to involve local communities and the wider region, which is why the Aurora fellow is to give a public lecture for interested members of the public.

The thematic focus of the fellowship is centred on the four pilot domains that UDE is committed to as a university together with the Aurora network:

▪ Sustainability and climate change
▪ Digital society and global citizenship
▪ Health and well-being
▪ Culture, diversity & identity

The focus is on a different one of the four pilot domains each semester. This was started off with ‘Culture, diversity & identity’ in the winter semester 2022/23. In the summer semester 2023, the focus will be on sustainability and climate change.

The programme: As part of this programme, the University of Duisburg-Essen invites nominations once per semester for a two-week Aurora Fellowship to the amount of €5000. All UDE members are eligible to submit nominations. Researchers from the nine associated Aurora universities can be nominated. Alongside accommodation and the reimbursement of travel expenses, candidates can receive prize money of €2500.

The Aurora Fellowship helps develop skills that enable active participation in shaping contemporary social, political, environmental, economic or healthcare change. A public lecture will also present and explain exciting findings from the most recent research on major contemporary challenges in a comprehensible way to interested members of the public. 

Candidates must be nominated by members of UDE, thus interested academics should get in touch with their contacts in Duisburg-Essen.

Announcement Aurora Fellowship – Pdf.

Aurora Summer School at UDE – The Enkelfähig Economy: Sustainable Transformation of Business Models

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Events, Students.

Our partners at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany are organizing a Summer School on the The Enkelfähig Economy: Sustainable Transformation of Business Models. This summer school will take place between 19.06.2023 and 07.07.2023.

The summer school looks at the ways companies can be made more sustainable, by looking at the following factors: 

  • Impact Measurement
  • Business Model Analysis
  • Business Model Optimization

For more detailed info, take a look at these files: 

Flyer – The Enkelfähig Economy: Sustainable Transformation of Business Models 

Description of The Enkelfähig Economy Summer School

To apply, send an email aurora-register@uni-due.de with the following info:

  • Full Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Place of Birth
  • Email Address
  • Proof of Study at UP

Registration will be open until 15.04.2023. This course is open to all master’s students, and you can earn 5 ECTS upon completion.

You are eligible to receive funding for your participation in this summer school, covering your travel and accommodation. More information on the funding opportunities is found here. 

 

Creative Writing Workshop in Olomouc

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Students.

This creative writing workshop builds on the world-renowned expertise of the University of East Anglia’s Creative Writing Department that launched the careers of many celebrated authors such as Kazuo Ishiguro. Hosted by the Department of English and American Studies of Palacký University Olomouc, the workshop will give you the opportunity to develop your creative writing skills in the charming baroque city of Olomouc.

This five-day creative writing residency, organized between 22 and 26 May, 2023, is open to interested applicants from all Aurora Universities.The program will focus on developing your creative writing skills in English through a series of workshops and collaborative excercises together with other students from across Europe. In the evening, a social program will be organized, and on Friday the 26th you will have the opportunity to participate in the Aurora Student Conference in Olomouc, where you can meet even more students from Aurora Universities. A more detailed program will be announced soon  

Applying is simple! If you are interested to participate, send an email to Niels Hexspoor (niels.hexspoor@upol.cz) . 4 ECTS credits can be earned upon successful completion of the program. The deadline for registration is March 19, 2023! 

Funding opportunities might be available for you! For more information contact your local Aurora office.

If you have any questions about the Creative Writing Workshop, or how to reach your local Aurora contact person, please contact Niels Hexspoor (niels.hexspoor@upol.cz) 

Virtual Lecture Series and Early Career Networking Hour

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Students.

The Societal Challenges Lecture Series is aimed at early career researchers with a two-fold objective: delivering cutting-edge academic analysis on the diverse problems of our times, and providing international networking opportunities for doctoral researchers and postdocs. The lecture series aims at providing an antidote to impulsive disaster talk through perceptive academic analysis.

Outstanding researchers within the Aurora European University Alliance will give engaging online lectures during the academic year 2023 within two of the Aurora priority domains:

  • Digital Society & Global Citizenship
  • Health & Wellbeing

Delivered online via Zoom, each event begins with a 30-45 minute lecture by an outstanding researcher. You can register for individual dates or the entire series. Following the talk, you will have the opportunity to discuss the lecture, formulate questions for the speaker, and network in breakout rooms for 20 minutes. Finally, the audience and speaker reconvene for a well-prepared, stimulating Q&A.

Take the opportunity to meet your peers as well as renowned researchers from the Aurora partner universities. Expand your network and maybe even start new collaborations in your research area!
Participation will be certified upon request.

Find out more information about the program and registration here.

Full Guest Lecture Program 

January 2023:

24 January 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Science Fundamentalism

25 January 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Immuno-psychiatry: towards precision medicine

February 2023:

01 February 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Diet in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases: PREDIMED STUDIES

09 February 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – To feed or not to feed – How tumor cells adapt to their nutrient environment

March 2023

07 March 2023 14:00–15:30 CET – Complex systems approaches to social sciences illustrated with an analysis of judicial decisions

09 March 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Mendelian disorders of the Epigenetic Machinery: discovery to possible treatments

23 March 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Preparing the Next Generation to Fulfil SDGs: Teaching for Social Innovation

30 March 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Illegal content on digital platforms – a legal perspective

April 2023

13 April 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Ecosystem Health: From single cells to solar system scale

27 April 2023, 14:00–15:30 CET – Cloud Culture: Cinema, Digital Modernity and the Archive

 

Aurora Student Mobilities

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Students.

Do you want to go for a Summer School in Copenhagen, take a short intensive course in Napoli, or go to any other event at an Aurora University on a short exchange?

We are pleased to announce that we have opened the Aurora Student Mobility Call, to fund your participation in any Aurora activities. We are constantly updating our offer of opportunities, so check out our website for regularly for the latest news.  

The Aurora Mobility scheme will allow UP students to travel and take part in activities within the framework of Aurora. Students applying for an Aurora mobility must be enrolled at UP, in a study program at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Level. If your proposed mobility concerns ECTS-credits, please make sure to check in advance with your department and faculty whether they will recognize the credits for the proposed activity.

The proposed short-term mobility must comply with the eligibility rules regarding duration, maximum costs and reporting requirements described in the Aurora UP Student Mobility Scheme document. All mobilities must take place at an Aurora University, or be organized in the framework of the Aurora Alliance and the European Commission’s European Universities Initiative.

If you have any questions, or are interested in applying, please contact Martina Buráňová (martina.buranova@upol.cz).

 

 

 

International Summer University Programme at Copenhagen Business School

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Featured, Students.

We are happy to inform you that Copenhagen Business School will be organizing International Summer University Programme (ISUP) in Summer 2023.

As part of the ISUP, two Aurora courses will be offered, each for 7,5 ECTS:

 

Bachelor

An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship

BHAAI1097U

https://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2022-2023/BA-BHAAI1097U.aspx

Graduate

Social Entrepreneurship and Business Model Innovation

 CCMVI2115U

https://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2022-2023/KAN-CCMVI2115U.aspx

 

Duration of the courses: 27 June – 13 July 2023

Exam period: Home assignments written in parallel with the course: 27 June – 14 July 2023.

Please note that in order to help students get the maximum value from ISUP-courses and to jump-start the learning process before the start of classes, students are expected to do a preliminary assignment – eighter a generic test/assignment that will be developed concerning “Nordic Nine” for all bachelor/undergraduate courses or an assignment prepared by the course coordinator & instructor for the graduate courses. The workload is approx.. 20 hours.

 

Application process:

Application period will start on 7 February 2023 at 12.00.

Students will have to fill out an online application through www.cbs.dk/isup

You can read more about the application and student categories here: https://www.cbs.dk/en/study/international-summer-university/application-and-fees

 

The students are asked to tick the AURORA student box and selecting their home university when applying for exchange. Each Aurora Alliance university can nominate up to 6 students to apply and to participate during the programme.

 

Palacký University students who will want to participate need to follow below mentioned procedure:

  • Students needs to register at the application website between 7 February and 14 February 2023 – applications will be accepted on first come, first serve basis
  • At the same time, students must inform about their application (until 15 February the latest) the Aurora Mobility Coordinator on e-mail lyckova@upol.cz

 

Finances:

Students accepted to the programme can apply for Aurora student mobility scheme. Financial fee should cover accommodation, travel and allowance. From January 2023, the new Aurora student mobility scheme will be as follows:

  • Travel allowance: 200 EUR
  • Accommodation etc.: 1-14 days 160 EUR/day, 15-30 days 140 EUR/day

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Admission requirements

 

Housing

  • Accommodation/housing will be available for international students.
  • Link to the application for housing will be sent to students by e-mail in April 2023.
  • Move-in date: 23 June 2023 at 12:00 noon (CET) the earliest.
  • Housing must be financed by the student; however, the home institutions should have mobility money from the Erasmus+ project Aurora Alliance to cover housing and travel costs for their student.

 

Arrival service

Arrival service will be arranged.

 

Social programme

  • Social programme will be available for students.
  • Social programme will be announced in spring 2023 – it is a wonderful opportunity for international participants to get to know each other, Copenhagen, and the Danish culture through specially arranged activities such as guided city tours of Copenhagen, Danish folk-dancing, comedy night as well as a weekend trip around Denmark.

 

Introduction meeting

Date: 26 June 2023. Students will get important information about different aspects of ISUP such as studying at CBS, courses and exams, library resources etc.

 

Electronic transcripts

Electronic transcripts will confirm the courses taken and grades received. We do not issue certificates of attendance, and we do not indicate failing grades on transcripts.

 

Extra information

Please check our websites at www.cbs.dk/isup and the aurora webpage www.cbs.dk/aurora for further information.

The contact person at ISUP for Aurora partners is Casper Lindblad Andresen, and the contact e-mail regarding Aurora courses for both partners and students is aurora@cbs.dk

 

Looking back at the International Summer School: Refugee Law & Rights

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Students.

In support of our Ukrainian partners at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, the International Summer School Refugee Law & Rights took place between the 15th and 25th of August, in Olomouc. The hybrid school, which was co-organized and implemented by Palacký University Olomouc and Karazin University, welcomed 24 participants both online and in person.

The participants came from six countries including United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, and Ukraine, and comprised both undergraduate and postgraduate students of social sciences, mostly from law studies, sociology, and human rights.

During ten dynamic days, the participants followed lectures, engaged in discussions and participated in an extensive evening program, during which the students had a chance to engage with professionals in the field, UNHCR experts, as well as a plenary sessions on Peace Building and Recovery with Karazin University Staff and Peace Education MA student from the University of Innsbruck.

As part of the ongoing Aurora Universities donations and support campaign for Karazin University, the school was able to provide 5 students from Karazin University free of charge online participation, and to engage another 5 university professors and 2 administrative stuff in its organization and full program implementation, alongside the UP and International experts.

A detailed report of the International Summer School on Refugee Law & Rights can be found here.

The full program of the summer school can be found here.

Open Aurora Courses at the Universität Innsbruck.

Written by R N on . Posted in Academics, Events, Featured, Students.

Open-Aurora-Courses_WiSe22_23_Universitat-Innsbruck_

 

On the Universität Innsbruck Aurora Homepage the students can find all necessary information about the application process and the registration link. Below you will find a list of courses for WiSe 2022 / 2023. In particular, we would like highlight the first course listed, as it is part of the Joint Programme: Understanding Europe.

 

This course is the first part of the Joint Programme: Understanding Europe, formed by the Pilot Domain 3.4.4 – Cultures: Diversity & Identity.  

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAK_2d7-VuE

This course introduces students into studying the visions and challenges of Europe and European integration in the making. Trans-European conflict, cooperation and integration is addressed from a historical and contemporary perspective: We look at the historical constitution of Europe, its political institutions, societal objectives and symbolic representations in media, film, literature, popular culture and arts. In six learning units, we will cover:

  • The European Union: History and Current Challenges
  • Migration and Mobility
  • Philosophical and Political Concepts of Europe
  • War and Conflict in Europe
  • Imagined Others and Memory Cultures
  • Narratives of Europe in film, literature and arts

Although the official deadline is September 4th, students can still apply and their details will be processed manually.

 

 

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Aurora Innsbruck Office team: Aurora@uibk.ac.at / www.uibk.ac.at/international/aurora/

This semester, take a course at the University of Innsbruck!

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Students.

We are happy to inform you that in the upcoming winter semester 2022/2023 Universität Innsbruck will offer diverse Bachelor’s and Master’s level open to students of all Aurora universities, including UP students. 

Registration will be open on August 16,2022 and will be closed on September 4th, 2022.

Interested? More information on the registration process can be found here. You can find our special tutorial video which will guide them through a registration process via the UIBK online system: Aurora Course Offerings – University of Innsbruck (uibk.ac.at).

UIBK offers the following courses:

For more information on the courses, or the registration, contact aurora-courses@uibk.ac.at. 

If your participation in these courses includes a trip to Innsbruck, we can fund you through our Aurora Student Mobility Scheme. When participating. For more information on the funding possibilities and admin procedure at UP, contact Aurora.up@upol.cz