The chair brings together an eclectic mix of key concepts, ranging from global inequality to the dynamics of capitalism and wealth creation, underpinned by a deep understanding of critical international relations theory, business history, transitional justice, and the emerging paradigm of new global governance.
Global Governance: Critical international relations theory provides a framework for examining global governance, conflict, and cooperation from a critical perspective. The chair will employ this approach to analyze the ways in which colonial and post-colonial international systems and institutions shape and perpetuate global inequality. By engaging with this theoretical lens, we aim to challenge conventional wisdom, expose hidden power dynamics, and explore alternative pathways for more just global governance. The changing landscape of global governance demands innovative approaches. The chair will investigate emerging paradigms in global governance, considering how new mechanisms and institutions can address the challenges of the 21st century. By engaging with these evolving systems, we hope to offer insights into more effective and equitable global governance structures.
Wealth: A core focus of this chair will be the examination of the multifaceted nature of inequality, which permeates both domestic and international realms. Through a historical lens, the Chair will investigate the roots of inequality, its evolution over time (capitalism, industrialization and de-industrialization, business history), and the complex interplay between global and domestic factors. By addressing both within-and between country disparities and global wealth imbalances, the chair will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the historical and contemporary forces that drive inequality.
Within the framework mentioned above, it is self-evident that our History Department that reflect on gender and gender differences, this chair will emphasize the significance of gender dynamics in wealth creation, distribution, and the mechanisms of global governance. By investigating how gender intersects with economic disparities, we can uncover the often-hidden dimensions of inequality and the unique challenges faced by women and marginalized gender identities worldwide. In addition, by incorporating an intersectional approach, the chair will explore the complex interplay between multiple forms of discrimination and their impact on wealth and global governance. This perspective ensures that the research undertaken here reflects the real-world complexities of inequality and provides solutions that address the interconnected nature of global issues. And last but not least, in order to comprehensively address global inequality and wealth disparities, we aim to include the experiences and challenges faced by countries in the Global South. This chair will delve into the historical, economic, and political aspects of nations in the Global South, offering insights into how their unique perspectives and interests influence global governance and wealth distribution. By actively incorporating the Global South into our research, we ensure that our department's work remains globally relevant and socially responsible.
Job description The major aims of this chair:
To deepen, broaden and expand the research, education and valoristion of the academic profile of the chair.
Research: The major aims:
- Publish and contribute to the historical and academic debate in the field.
- Represent the ESHCC and the History department in formal and informal research bodies and (inter) national institutions.
- Leading in grant strategies for (interdisciplinary) funding.
- PhD supervision.
Education The educational activities related to the Chair will feed into Master and Bachelor degree programs in History and, potentially, other degree programmes offered at ESHCC in the following ways:
- Development and offer of lectures, tutorials and seminars that are based on first-hand historical findings and methods from the research in our BA- MA programmes.
- Contribute to innovative education in applied history, international relations and/or global markets and local connections Indicate a willingness to develop and innovate courses within our history progammes.
- Supervise tutors within our courses.
- Supervision of Master theses in our masterprogramm: Global History and International Relations
Management: - Take up management tasks within the History Department (eg. roles of Head of Department; Research Director or Director of Education).
- Taking part of committees or working groups, focusing on the management of the department, faculty or institute.
- Take up responsibilities in larger national research schools (like Posthumus Institute or Huizinga Institute).
Societal Impact: The Chair will bridge the gap between academic research, and professional and societal challenges. To make sure empirical findings can be translated into feasible societal solutions, the Chair has made and will make substantial investments in long-term trusted partnerships with professional and societal organizations. These connections are crucial as they can help signal urgent research topics, help translate research results into practical solutions (guidelines, reports) and provide a support base so organizations can implement change. Moreover, the chair will be creative in societal debates to make impact.