Project Proposal
Everyday Histories of Violence in Europe (c. 1800-Early 21st Century)
Can act as:
Seeking expertise:
Excellent candidates interested in applying for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship are invited to develop a research proposal within the thematic framework outlined below.
This supervision offer focuses on the history of violence in Europe from roughly the nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. Projects may explore violence in its everyday historical contexts, addressing how it was perceived, experienced, interpreted, and dealt with within societies. Projects may also examine how different actors—local or central, state and non-state—responded to violence in discourse and practice. There is a particular interest in research that foregrounds the agency and perspectives of historical actors, especially victims, perpetrators, and witnesses. Other possible analytical perspectives include the study of silence, silencing, and processes of marginalization.
Methodologically, the framework encourages qualitative research grounded in history. Projects combining microhistorical approaches with comparative or transnational perspectives are particularly welcome. The geographical focus is Europe, and projects should take the form of case studies situated in specific European contexts rather than attempting to cover the continent as a whole. At the same time, proposals may explore connections beyond Europe—for example through imperial, colonial, or other transnational contexts—provided that the European dimension remains central. Within this broad framework, projects may address various forms of violence, such as collective, political, sexualized, interpersonal, or domestic violence. Projects may also engage with analytical perspectives such as gender and gendered violence. Another possible analytical dimension concerns the concept of the “postwar” as a framework for understanding how societies dealt with violence in the aftermath of major conflicts. Proposals that draw on lesser-known or previously unexplored sources, or on a diverse range of source types, are encouraged. Interdisciplinary perspectives are also relevant when they contribute to historically grounded analyses of violence.
Applicants are encouraged to develop ambitious and innovative research questions, case studies, and methodological approaches within this broad thematic framework. Rather than covering the entire chronological span indicated above, the aim is to situate individual projects within the wider historical context of violence in European societies. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact me at an early stage to discuss project ideas and further develop them for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal.
prof. PhDr. Ota Konrád, Ph.D., [email protected]