Call for PhD and Staff Mobility
The ENLIGHT Thematic Network (ETN) ENLIGHT Archaeologies of Sustainable Environments (EASE) aims at fostering collaboration and exchange of researchers from the participating universities (Uppsala, Bern and Groningen) working on the archaeology of sustainability, climate change and related topics. In particular EASE endeavors to:
- Foster collaborative archaeologies of sustainability across all departments of archaeology at ENLIGHT universities.
- Create an interdisciplinary platform for collaboration on human-environment dynamics in ancient societies and their relevance today.
- Initiate joint research and teaching initiatives that bind together departments, individual researchers, and the expanding research infrastructures available.
To achieve these goals the ETN EASE opens a call for applications for short research visits of up to 4 weeks at one of the participating universities. The grant entails full funding of travel and accommodation.
Eligibility
PhD students and staff from the participating institutions. Research topic connected to the themes of the ETN.
Application
Please hand in the following documents by August 17, 2025:
- Abstract of research project/PhD thesis (max. 400 words)
- Motivation letter (max. 400 words)
- List of planned activities
- CV
Make sure to describe how your research project and stay abroad connect to one or more of the topics of the ETN and how your currents project benefits from it. Make sure to indicate the exact dates of your planned stay, the host institution and host supervisor. Please shortly describe the main activities and goals of the stay.
For more information, assistance in finding a suitable host or any other question, please get in touch with Marco Hostettler (marco.hostettler@unibe.ch).
Themes
Climate Histories: We ask how we might rethink the written and material records of social adaptabilities and transformations to better understand what it means to live through an era of rapid climate change. While today's climate crisis is unprecedented, societies have long navigated environmental shifts. Historical disciplines provide insights into past responses, the impact of change, and the role of individuals and social structures in shaping adaptation strategies.
Food Security and Agriculture: Research on vulnerability of agricultural strategies to climate change and other stressors, exploring their transferability across time and space. Agriculture has always shaped societies, and its sustainability is crucial. While both a driver and victim of climate change, its resilience depends on how technological, socio-economic, and environmental factors are integrated within societal structures to manage risks and ensure adaptability.
Innovation and Infrastructure: This theme explores the role of hard and soft infrastructure, shaped by human creativity and resourcefulness. History shows that innovation thrives during times of stress, expansion, or environmental change. While physical structures like roads and water systems provide tangible evidence, social cohesion and collective action play a crucial role in a society’s adaptive capacity, linking infrastructure to resilience and sustainability.
