The call for founding members to join the Young Network TransEurope (YNT) is now open. We are looking for ambitious early- to mid-career scholars who combine excellence in research with a demonstrated passion for delivering impact and who strive for a further European rapprochement.

The Young Network TransEurope

In the wake of Russia’s criminal war against Ukraine it has become clear that expertise on the countries that are often misleadingly bundled together under the label “Eastern Europe” has been neglected and marginalised in Germany and its western neighbour states. The diversity of these countries in the north, south and centre of the continent is enormous.

Recently, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Junge Akademie and its partners have published a manifesto addressing these issues. The foundation of the YNT constitutes the next step in filling this gap. It aims at generating a deeper understanding of the multiple European perspectives by bringing together outstanding multipliers from different academic fields and diverse European regions, catalysing new ideas and concrete initiatives on the ground. They will focus on transcending borders, be they geographical, cultural, scientific or disciplinary. Due to the war, the special emphasis of the network’s work will lie on Ukraine and its neighbouring states.

Members will be elected into the YNT for five years and gain the opportunity to initiate interdisciplinary and transnational projects with their colleagues, expand their networks, and use the network as a platform to intervene into public and policy debates, thus amplifying the impact of their research. Via the “nodes” of the network, i. e. a diverse range of prestigious scientific institutions in different countries such as (Young) Academies, Institutes for Advanced Study and Universities, they will gain new contacts and improved access to different scientific communities.
In mid-October 2024, the YNT will be constituted during the international conference “Reclaiming Europe” at the European Solidarność Centre in Gdańsk (Poland). Here, the founding members will have the opportunity to interact with leading European researchers and intellectuals, in order to advance their ideas and to generate further projects together. The conference title implies both the defence of Europe against autocratic tendencies as well as making hitherto neglected European regions more visible in their centrality for the continent. Founding members will have the unique opportunity to shape parts of the design of the conference.

Expectations / Selection Criteria

Apart from fulfilling the criteria for excellence in research (i. e. demonstrated achievements), members are expected to have an outstanding track record of engagement, leadership and enthusiasm for innovation and social impact. They are expected to provide evidence for their vision and commitment to the YNT and apply with ideas for projects operating at the research-society-policy interface. These must aim at intervening into public debates, questioning “common sense” assumptions about the so-called “East” and/or at producing concrete impact “on the ground”. The projects should transcend national boundaries, while addressing topics related to and/or mitigating the consequences of the current war.

Applicants should be in the early to middle years of their independent research careers, i. e. approximately 3 to 7 years from completing their doctoral degree and aged 30–40. Applicants falling outside these ranges are still invited to send their applications with a justification for why they should be considered (e. g. career breaks due to illness, care responsibilities, scholars at risk etc.). Applicants must have the capacity to actively contribute to the YNT during their five year membership. An attendance of the conference “Reclaiming Europe” between the 13th and 15th of October 2024 is expected. All disciplines, including STEM, are welcome to apply.

Application Process

If you are interested in actively contributing your ideas to the YNT by initiating interdisciplinary and transnational projects and actively shaping the research-society-policy interface, please apply until 18th of April 2024 with:
1. A letter of motivation in English (no more than 7,500 characters, including spaces).
This has to include first details on your ideas for the YNT (e. g. topics, countries, institutions, possibilities for cooperation etc.), but no definitive outline is necessary. To streamline the selection process, please formulate a short abstract covering your unique contribution to the network for the cover letter (no more than 500 characters, including spaces). Please feel encouraged to include a brief description of how your ideas, personality and individual background will contribute to the diversity of the YNT.
2. Your curriculum vitae (please include the date of your PhD/doctoral thesis defense).
3. A list of publications/works; please include copies of the three most important examples, two of them must be in English. Please provide short (1–2 sentences) comments on their significance for your overall work.
4. Your doctoral degree certificate or proof of doctoral certificate or proof of qualification.
5. Two references; you will be asked for one letter of recommendations, should you be invited for an interview.
 
Applications for membership will be reviewed by an international and interdisciplinary selection committee, covering different areas of knowledge, expertise and geography.
The selection committee will ensure an appropriate distribution of gender, disciplinary affiliation and countries of origin among the network members.
Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted in late spring; interviews are scheduled for the beginning of June.

Please submit your application only electronically as one PDF file to:
Roland A. Römhildt
Officer for International Relations | Berlin Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities
ynt@bbaw.de 

Download the call for founding members (PDF, 241KB)