VU Interdisciplinary Centre for European Studies
VU Interdisciplinary Centre for European Studies (VICES) is a platform for researchers at VU to share their research, work together, and develop new ideas new ideas regarding Europe and European integration. It welcomes all those at the university who are interested in contemporary Europe, and extends an ongoing invitation for them to participate in events, share their thoughts, make suggestions, and apply for funding. It also aims to include colleagues who do not study Europe directly, but who have ideas or knowledge that can help us understand the continent and its dynamics. These may be political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, cultural theorists, economists, lawyers or others.
Why have VICES?
VICES aims to:
- invigorate and raise the profile of the research done at VU on Europe
- create new interdisciplinary networks of researchers
- add to the field of European studies by offering a distinctive and refreshing perspective on the field
- facilitate new research projects, new funding and new ideas
Our mission statement
European integration is a uniquely radical experiment in governance, which can only be understood by drawing on the insights of the human and social sciences beyond those traditionally regarded as ‘European studies’. The study of Europe needs to become less introspective, and more exploratory: we plead for a turn to the outside, to reinvigorate the field.
VICES is inspired by eight themes. These are not intended to be exhaustive or to exclude other projects. However, they each reflect an aspect of the contemporary world with which European Studies needs to engage, and give an indication of how the field can connect with and be enriched by other disciplines. The themes are:
- Complexity & Governance
- Technology & Power
- Identity Politics
- Feminism & Diversity
- Illiberal Democracy
- Globalisation & militarization
- Redistribution & sharing
- Constitutional resistance & civil disobedience
Each of these will be the subject of workshops and other events. All those who would like to contribute to thinking about these topics are invited to let us know at vices.rechten@vu.nl. Colleagues from outside the VU are welcome to participate too.
The VU Interdisciplinary Centre for European Studies (VICES) is accepting funding applications for events organized by VU faculty members, which contribute to the quality and visibility of research relating to Europe at the VU. We support two types of activities: larger events (up to 3000 euros) and smaller events (up to 300 euros). Events may be understood broadly, to include conferences, workshops, guest speakers, panel discussions, debates and so on.
Up to 3000 euros per event may be applied for. Funding may be requested for the costs of hosting and organizing an event (travel, subsistence, accommodation etc), and for student assistance with organizing, but not for the salaries of researchers.
Criteria for awards
VICES aims to contribute to network building within VU, and thus attaches particular importance to interdisciplinary activities, and those which help establish new and lasting co-operation. It aims to contribute to the quality and visibility of research on Europe, as well as stimulating new perspectives, and adding to understanding and interest in European studies among students.
Accordingly, the following factors will be taken into account in awarding funds:
- Whether the event adds to debate on, or understanding of, contemporary Europe.
- Whether the event involves people from more than one faculty at VU
- Whether the event provides an innovative perspective on some aspect of European Studies. We particularly welcome events which fit within the VICES themes (although this is not compulsory). See the next page for details of these themes.
- Whether the event is of interest to a wide group of researchers and students
- Whether the event represents value for money
- The deadline for applications is 31st March 2019. Events must take place in 2019.
- Applications should be mailed to vices.rechten@vu.nl They should include a brief but sufficient explanation of the event, and a simple budget.
- VICES does not fund closed events: events will be circulated via the VICES mailing list and in principle all those interested must be welcome to attend.
VICES small events fund
Smaller amounts of money, up to 300 euros, may be applied for throughout the year on a rolling basis. This fund is intended to support guest lectures, including those aimed at students, PhD workshops with guest researchers, and similar events.
Criteria for awards
The primary criteria for awards are whether the event falls within the field of European Studies broadly understood, and the degree of interest or attention the event is likely to attract.
Deadline and procedure
- This is a rolling call for an event that takes place before 31st of December 2019
- Applications should be mailed to vices.rechten@vu.nl They should include a brief but sufficient explanation of the event and a simple budget
- VICES does not fund closed events: events will be circulated via the VICES mailing list and in principle all those interested must be welcome to attend
VICES has a supervisory board consisting of the deans of the contributing faculties (Law and Social Science).
The day-to-day management is done by Prof Catherine de Vries and Prof Gareth Davies. Assistance is provided by Tess Engelander. VICES can be contacted at vices.rechten@vu.nl or Linkedin.