Graduate Student Research Workshop — Humanities Research Fellowship for the Study of the Arab World

Call for Applications: Graduate Student Research Workshop

“New Directions in the Study of the Arab World”

The NYU Abu Dhabi Humanities Research Fellowship for the Study of the Arab World program invites applications for its third Graduate Student Research Workshop to be hosted on March 4-6, 2024 at NYU Abu Dhabi.

The workshop provides the opportunity for current advanced doctoral candidates who are currently in the writing stage to present, discuss, and receive valuable feedback on their research. Accepted applicants will pre-circulate an English-language chapter of their project and orally present a short overview of the project, raising questions or challenges to be discussed with the group.

Applications are encouraged for projects that range broadly across the arts, humanities, and social sciences related to the study of the Arab world, broadly defined, its rich literature and history, its cultural and artistic heritage, and its manifold connections with other cultures.

The Humanities Research Fellowship for the Study of the Arab World program will cover travel costs to and from Abu Dhabi, accommodation, and meals during the three-day workshop.

Conveners: Erin Pettigrew and Nathalie Peutz

Applications for the 2024 workshop are now closed.

Applicants are asked to apply via Interfolio and to upload all required documents including one letter of recommendation from their dissertation advisor (see below). The advisor will receive an email prompt inviting them to upload the letter of recommendation by September 4, 2023. We strongly recommend applicants read through our FAQ before beginning their application.

Eligibility and Requirements

The Humanities Research Fellowship for the Study of the Arab World program welcomes applications from international doctoral students who finished with their qualifying exams and are in the writing stage of their dissertations with the opportunity to present and thoroughly discuss their Ph.D. projects related to the Arab world.

Participants will read and discuss each other’s work in addition to presenting their own. NYUAD-based scholars in a variety of disciplines will offer feedback on the students’ projects and questions related to research, writing, and professional development. The workshop is also an opportunity to meet, learn from, and develop relationships with colleagues in the field.

Participants will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation of their research project, which will be followed by 10 minutes of commentary from an assigned discussant, and a 35-minute open discussion. They will also be expected to have read each participant’s paper (dissertation chapter) and be prepared to provide comments on these papers during the workshop.

The Graduate Student Research Workshop accepts up to twelve graduate students each year and takes place on the campus of New York University Abu Dhabi.

Travel costs to and from Abu Dhabi, accommodation, and meals during the three-day workshop are fully covered. Due to the ongoing pandemic, NYUAD reserves the right to adapt the conference format and structure and host the event online or in a hybrid format if necessary.

Applications are due by September 4, 2023 and must be submitted through Interfolio.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a two-page statement about the research, a one-page work plan with the projected date of completion of the degree, an abstract of the chapter that would be presented, and a letter of recommendation from the dissertation advisor. Application materials must be submitted in English.

Applications follow a competitive review process that is led by the workshop’s conveners and includes both internal and external expert reviewers.

FAQ

We do not accept applications other than from those currently in the process of earning their PhD.

We expect applicants to be in the process of completing a PhD and in the dissertation writing stage at the time of the workshop.

Due to the diversity of workshop participants and respondents, the workshop will be conducted in English. Applicants may be writing their dissertation in languages other than English but we kindly request submission of application materials and workshop chapter in English.

We do not accept supplementary materials with applications; any supplementary materials that are received will not be considered in the review of applications.

Applicants will be notified in mid-October 2023.

We have a large (and very strong) pool of candidates, and reviews are performed by an international panel of scholars. The process is such that it is not possible for us to provide individual feedback.

Typically, the Humanities Research Fellowship for the Study of the Arab World hosts up to twelve graduate students each year.

The workshop focuses on the Arab world broadly defined, which also includes the MENASA region.