Doktorandenschule „Communities and Networks“

The international Doctoral School "Communities and Networks" explores how interculturality, economics, religion, and education shape and are shaped by the identities of diaspora communities in pluralistic societies. A key focus is the specific role of educational processes, religious institutions, and civic peace initiatives in navigating social transformation, fostering cultural continuity, and enabling social mobility.

The school is characterized by a transdisciplinary approach combining theology, educational sciences, sociology, anthropology, peace and conflict studies, human geography, and communication sciences. It pursues a non-Eurocentric perspective, investigating the lived realities of diaspora and local communities in transnational contexts (such as the MENA region). Through the regular doc.kolleg colloquium and its innovative "Tandem Talks," the school offers a vibrant platform for collaborative academic dialogue. Researchers engage in empirical investigation of transnational networks, identity transmission, and virtual educational exchange models (such as Virtu-Peace). The program emphasizes local agency, civic initiative, and constructive academic dialogue while respecting the diverse socio-political integrity of all participating communities.

Scientific key words
Diaspora Studies, Transnational Networks, Migration & Identity, Religious Education & Social Change, Transdisciplinary Methodology

Participating Faculties
Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy 

Cooperation partners
Research Center for Religion and Education (FZRB), Diaspora Studies Research Network (FNDS)

Preferred language
English with German options for seminars, workshops, and individual academic advising

Current number of doctoral candidates
Approximately 10 doctoral and post-doctoral candidates/researchers from multiple countries.

How can I become a doctoral candidate? What is the method of selection?
Candidates must be accepted for doctoral study at one of the participating faculties at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Selection is based on:

1. Academic excellence (relevant Master's degree).
2. Alignment of the proposed doctoral project with the core research areas of the Doctoral School (e.g., migration, diaspora, transnational networks, or religious education).
3. Evaluation of the research proposal by the executive board (spokespersons).
4. An interview and academic presentation during the doc.kolleg or an admission colloquium.

Are there fixed dates to apply?
Applications can be submitted continuously. However, integration into the cohort typically aligns with the start of the academic semesters (Winter Semester: October / Summer Semester: April). Interested candidates are highly advised to contact the coordinator prior to these periods.

Are there possibilities to be funded in this programme?
The doctoral school itself provides structural academic support, but direct funding must usually be secured through:

• External individual scholarships (e.g., DAAD, Avicenna-Studienwerk, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, etc.).
• Research assistant positions (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterstellen) within third-party funded projects associated with the FZRB (such as the Virtu-Peace project).
• Travel grants and short-term transition funding available through the Jena Graduate Academy.

Interesting for graduates of the following subjects:

• Theology & Religious Studies
• Educational Sciences / Religionspädagogik
• Peace and Conflict Studies / International Relations
• Human Geography / Economic Geography
• Intercultural Communication / Sociology / Social Anthropology

Degree
Dr. theol. , Dr. phil. , Dr. rer. nat. 

Contact
Coordinator: Rawan Tahboub (M.A.)
Website: https://www.zrb.uni-jena.de/en/710/doc-kolleg en
Email: rawan.tahboub@uni-jena.de
Address: Fürstengraben 6, 07743, Jena
Spokespersons: Prof. Dr. Michael Wermke, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Henn, Prof. Dr. Christoph Vatter