Are you a second or third year bachelor student that wants to look beyond the borders of your own field, work with students from other Dutch universities, and develop your academic skills? Fancy doing all this in beautiful Rome, Florence or Athens?
NWIB Summer School 2023: interdisciplinary and with students from different universities
The NWIB, or Dutch Scientific Institutes Abroad in English, are scientific posts of Dutch universities particularly situated around the Mediterranean.
In collaboration with Utrecht University the institutes in Rome, Florence and Athens developed an interdisciplinary Summer School for bachelor students, connecting their expertise in (art) history, archaeology and cultural heritage to a wide range of contemporary societal issues. Think of the inherent tension between religious practice and the economic need for tourism, or the complexities surrounding the preservation and ownership of cultural heritage (e.g. the Parthenon Marbles). But we also explore innovative academic themes such as the relationship between art history and medical practice: Can looking at art make you a better doctor or veterinarian?
The institutes in Rome, Florence and Athens each have their own profile and expertise, however within this framework there is ample freedom to develop your own ideas. Together with students from different disciplines and universities you create your own interdisciplinary research project embedded in your city of choice. The point of departure might be (art) history or heritage, however we explicitly invite students from across the academic spectrum to combine intellectual forces. That means not just students of the Humanities but also the Social, Technological, Exact and Natural sciences.
The program kicks off on the 3rd of July with an introduction week in Utrecht. During this week you learn about doing interdisciplinary research and working in interdisciplinary groups, and more specifically, you will team up with your fellow group members and supervisor from Rome, Florence or Athens to start preparing your research question and ensure you come prepared once arrived at your place of destination. The ‘field work’, i.e. the research and writing you do on location will take place between the 17th and 28th of July. There might a program on location as well, depending on the institution and type of research. However, in general, it is expected of you and your group to operate autonomously. Having said that, your assigned supervisor is there to steer you in the right direction, challenge you if needed, introduce you to local stakeholders, and suggest relevant literature (which might also be assigned before the introduction week commences, to give you a head start).
Please keep in mind, the choice you make should not just be based on the preference for a city or country (it is not a holiday), but should be motivated by your research interests and ambitions.
More information on this exciting Summer School can be found here.
Deadline for application at your own University: April 14.
Matching interviews will be conducted in Utrecht on the 15th, 16th and 17th of May. The final selection will be made before May 26.
