Academics on the Move: Notions of Exile, Re-Migration and Translocal Solidarity

This research-oriented interdisciplinary seminar seeks to critically examine historical as well as current perceptions and discourses about academics who, due to institutional, structural or political constraints, were forced to leave their home country and seek exile elsewhere. In contrast to well-known artists or authors, exiled academics were often at the margin of inquiries into their specific situation and self-positioning. The seminar therefore strives for a deeper understanding of their specific situation, self-positioning and self-representation. Students will form research teams of five to seven persons and carry out their own empirical research into these topics. They will be supervised by teacher tandems and specialise in one of three focus areas: Focus area 1: Academics and identities on the move? The role of (social) media in processes of identity construction (Co-supervisors: Prof. ?zen Oda?, Touro College, and Dr. Olga Hünler, Universit?t Bremen); Focus area 2: (Transnational) Networks in Exile - Topics, Discourses and Advocacy (Co-supervisors: Prof. Carola Richter, Freie Universit?t Berlin, and Dr. Amal El-Obeidi, Universit?t Bayreuth); Focus area 3: Cities of academic exile and their translocal networks (Prof. Nadja-Christina Schneider, Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin, and Dr. Nil Mutluer, Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin); The seminar reaches beyond disciplines and institutions and blurs the line between teaching and research. It gives students the opportunity to carry out their own empirical research projects, under close guidance of co-supervisors. In the end, students will present their research results as part of a multimedia exhibition. The seminar will be structured in clearly defined work phases of preparatory blended learning, joint workshop sessions as well as empirical research. In between, the three research teams will have regular consultation sessions with their respective teacher tandems (either face-to-face or via video call). The workshop dates are: - 21-22. June 2018 (HU Berlin): Introduction to research oriented studying & discussion of research topics. - July-October 2018: In-depth research phase for groups; regular consultations with supervising teacher tandems. - 12-13. October 2018 (FU Berlin): Discussion of preliminary results & planning for final presentation (concluding symposium and exhibition). - October-December 2018: Preparation for final presentations. - 14. December 2018 (Touro College): Concluding symposium and opening of exhibition. External project members participating in an interdisciplinary research seminar for M.A. students who are based in Berlin (project duration: July - December 2018).