Call for Applications: CSDS Visiting Fellowships 2023-24 in Science, Technology and Democracy Initiative

Visiting Fellowships 2023-24

Science, Technology and Democracy Initiative

Centre for the Study of Developing Societies

Invites Applications for One-year Visiting Fellowships 2023-24

The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi invites applications for the position of Visiting Fellows under its Science, Technology and Democracy Initiative.  The initiative aims to understand the evolving relationship among science, technology and human societies. The Initiative presently focuses on two areas of research – (a) Climate Change and Democracy; and (b) Digital Technologies and Democracy.  We expect to invite two Fellows, one in each of these areas, in 2023-24.

Climate Change and Democracy

It has been slightly over two decades since the term 'Anthropocene' came to be popularized. During this time, we have also witnessed the significant challenges posed by global warming and climate change. Several rounds of global negotiations have been undertaken, most recently at CoP27, on how best to address these challenges.  However, we are yet to fully think through the links between democratic processes playing out at the national and sub-national levels and the mitigation of GHG emissions and climate adaptation practices operative at the planetary scale. In this project we invite scholars to explore this particular dimension of climate change and democracy in India, both in terms of what new challenges are being posed by climate issues and how can democratic politics contribute towards minimizing the inequities and risks that have arisen in the wake of global warming and changing climate patterns. Indicative themes include, but are not restricted to:

•   Welfare needs and impacts of climate change;

•   Production, consumption and the question of lifestyle;

•   Energy transition and justice;

•   Linkage among mitigation, adaptation and (in)equality;

•   Governments, markets, civil society and climate responses;

•   Climate science and popular politics;

•   Global warming and inter-generational equity;

•   Promoting local level responses to climate challenges.

Digital Technologies and Democracy 

The advent of digital technologies has often been heralded as having the potential to enable excluded peoples of the world to find their voices and connect with each other. Digital infrastructures have also emerged as a major tool of governance in domains as diverse as finance, health, education, communication etc. Equally however, digital technology is increasingly seen as enabling widespread surveillance, data extraction, behavioural modification, misinformation, invasion of privacy etc.  In this project, we want to understand democratic life and democratic governance in India in context of today's highly digitized social ecosystem, involving the whole range of concerns across advances in computer technology, artificial intelligence, automation, digital communication, social media, digital marketing and finance, data politics, platform economies, etc. Indicative themes include but are not restricted to:

•   Law, regulation and data; 

•   Surveillance and rights to privacy;

•   Algorithmic governance;

•   Political Mobilization in a digital world;

•   Platform economies;

•   Artificial intelligence, machine learning and ethics;

•   Mis- and dis-information;

•   Digital discrimination /divide;

•   Digital commons.

Qualifications:

•   Scholars in all disciplines of Humanities and Social Sciences are encouraged to apply for these Fellowships. 

•   Applicants must have either completed their PhD or should be in the final stages of their doctoral research.

Selection Procedure and Timelines:

•   Interested scholars may send a cover letter, 1500-word Statement of Interest and a CV in a single document (Pdf only).

•   The application should clearly mention the broad area of research.

•   Shortlisted candidates will be asked to appear for an interview, either in person or online.

•   Selected candidates will be expected to join latest by 15 June 2023.

Award:

•   Fellows will be offered a consolidated amount of Rs. 80,000 per month. 

•   The initial offer would be for 12 months. The Fellowship may, however, be extended by another year.

Responsibilities:

Fellows will be expected to be in residence at CSDS for the duration of the award.

Fellows will be expected to undertake original research and publish in peer-reviewed journals at the end of their research. 

Fellows will be expected to organize and participate in lectures and workshops at CSDS. 

Last date for application: 15 April 2023.