BGHS.NEWS

300th Doctorate at the BGHS

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:45:12 +0200

300th Doctorate at the BGHS

Kai-Sören Falkenhain is the 300th graduate of the BGHS. The title of his doctoral thesis is "Integration Functions of Conflicts in the Welfare State. The connection between integration, conflict and brokerage in Duisburg's municipal welfare system".

Congratulations!

Linie 4: "Dangerous myths: Vikings between pop culture and populism"

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:42:27 +0200

Linie 4: "Dangerous myths: Vikings between pop culture and populism"

(Copyright: Sludge 9000)

Who were the Vikings really? Fearless warriors, explorers of foreign worlds or even the founders of equality and democracy? Hardly any other historical era is as present in our present day and at the same time as difficult to grasp as the so-called Viking Age. In her lecture "Dangerous Myths: Vikings between Pop Culture and Populism", Hannah von Legat addresses the question of what we can actually know about the Vikings, what we perhaps only think we know - and when such supposed knowledge becomes dangerous.

The lecture is part of the public lecture series Linie 4 - Neues aus der sozialwissenschaftlichen und historischen Forschung (Linie 4 - News from Social Science and Historical Research), organised by the BGHS in cooperation with the VHS Bielefeld, and traces how images of the Vikings have changed over the centuries and how strongly they were shaped by the needs and expectations of their time. This also applies to the present day: Vikings are more popular in popular culture today than they have been for a long time. But what image do the series, music videos and games actually convey? What story of masculinity, origin and originality is being told? In her lecture, Hannah von Legat invites us to scrutinise familiar ideas. She shows that the discussion about the Vikings is not (only) about the past, but also about our present: about desires, fears and identities that we so readily read into history.

Hannah von Legat is a historian and doctoral researcher at the BGHS. She is a research associate in a research project dealing with the topic of populism in Europe, and her doctoral thesis focuses on the question of how masculinity is produced and used for populist purposes in the reception of the Viking Age. In February 2025, she completed her Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Medieval Studies at the University of Münster. During her studies, she spent several semesters at Stockholm University.

The lecture will take place (in German) on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 6.15 pm in room 240 at the vhs Bielefeld, Ravensberger Park 1.

Film project: Becoming. The Influence of the Environment on the Achievement of Potentials

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:36:28 +0200

Film project: Becoming. The Influence of the Environment on the Achievement of Potentials

The fourth video from the BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation" is now available on YouTube. Yixuan Liu explains how she analyses the relationship between health and education and the role played by genetic and environmental factors. She uses the extensive longitudinal data from the TwinLife project. And here is the video.

Film project: Making. Vocational Training in the Skilled Trades

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:23:58 +0200

Film project: Making. Vocational Training in the Skilled Trades

There is a new video on the BGHS YouTube channel. In the third film of the BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation", Paul Goerigk talks about his ethnographic research on interaction in vocational training. He observed trainees and trainers in a metal workshop to find out how the practical learning of skills actually takes place. And here is the video.

Podcast: Chronic Illness, University, and the Good Life

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:19:19 +0200

Podcast: Chronic Illness, University, and the Good Life

The new episode of the BGHS podcast “Chances and Challenges”, Clara Buitrago, Coordinator for Internationalisation at the BGHS, talks to Sabine Schäfer about how she managed to complete a doctorate with a chronic illness, pursue a career at university and find the good life in the process. Listen to the podcast here.

“Linie 4” – Warriors, Wars, Crises

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:05:56 +0200

“Linie 4” – Warriors, Wars, Crises

In May and June 2026, the public lecture series “Linie 4 – News from Social Science and Historical Research” will take place for the tenth time, organised by the BGHS in cooperation with the VHS Bielefeld. Four doctoral researchers from the BGHS will present their current research in a clear and accessible manner and discuss it with a broader public. This time, the focus is on warriors, wars and crises. The lectures will take place on Wednesdays from 6.15 pm to 8 pm at the VHS Bielefeld in Ravensberger Park, Room 240

On 20 May, the focus is on the Vikings. In her lecture “Dangerous Myths: Vikings between Pop Culture and Populism”, Hannah von Legat explores the questions of what we really know about the Vikings, what we merely think we know, and when this supposed knowledge can become dangerous.

On 27 May, Anastasia Serikova explores museums in her lecture “The Present as a ‘Musealium’: How Museums Depict Ongoing Wars”. For her doctoral thesis, she analysed photographs from exhibitions on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Through detailed observations, she highlights the risks that can arise for museums from the presentation of military objects and actions.

The third lecture on 10 June takes a more theoretical turn. In his lecture “Is Our Time Out of Joint? Derrida, 1989 and the Present”, Marcus Wystub examines the French philosopher Jacques Derrida’s thesis of the ‘end of history’. He also explores how current narratives of crisis – concerning climate catastrophe, the erosion of democracy and economic crisis – are fuelled by talk of a ‘correct’ course of history.

On 17 June, we then move into the era of the ‘noble knights’. In his lecture “‘The wars rose up against Breslau’ – How war was recounted in the 15th century”, Ole Bunte explores how medieval historians recounted war and what this tells us about medieval people’s conceptions of war.

The four lectures (in German) offer a brief insight into the academic research being conducted at the BGHS. As in previous years, however, the main focus will be on the exchange between the doctoral researchers and the audience at the VHS Bielefeld. Engaging lectures, insightful questions and lively discussions are intended to bring Bielefeld University and the city of Bielefeld a little closer together.

Welcome Day Summer Semester 2026

BGHS.NEWS — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:09:06 +0200

Welcome Day Summer Semester 2026

::9 new doctoral researchers at the BGHS::

On Tuesday, 14 April, the BGHS Welcome Day for the summer semester 2026 took place. The BGHS director Ruth Ayaß welcomed the new doctoral researchers, who had the opportunity to introduce themselves and get to know the doctoral representatives and the BGHS office staff. Sabine Schäfer then introduced the BGHS training and study programme. We wish all new members a wonderful start to their doctorate at the BGHS.

The new BGHS doctoral researchers and their projects:

Phonesavanh Sitthideth (Sociology): Ethnographic Study on the financial activities of working households in Laos
Christopher Kuhlmann (History): Essoins as an indicator of commonality
Nikita Malinovskii (History): Partnerschaften und Unsicherheiten in der Ostseeregion. Riga, Reval und Dorpat im System des hansischen Handels mit Nowgorod vom 14. bis zum 17. Jahrhundert
Jel Cengiz (Sociology): Rassifizierung und Nationenbildung in der Türkei. Eine historisch-soziologische Analyse symbolischer Macht im Übergang vom Osmanischen Reich zur Republik
Jiarong Wu (Sociology): Managing Debt and Duty: Financial Practices of Urban Working Families in Urban China
Nora Meduri (Sociology): Zufußgehen. Beobachtungen einer urbanen Alltagspraxis im Kontext räumlicher Transformationsprozesse
Huyen Duong (Sociology): Navigating uncertainty: Financial household strategies of migrant workers in Vietnam
Linda Landwehr (Sociology): Solidarität als Pflichtfigur – Zur ideologischen Transformation des Solidaritätsbegriffs im liberalen Kapitalismus
Abu Faisal Md. Khaled (Sociology): Waiting, Risk, and Departure

You can find the Welcome Day presentation here.

BGHS on YouTube - First films of the film project are online

BGHS.NEWS — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:48:44 +0200

BGHS on YouTube - First films of the film project are online

The BGHS has a YouTube channel! And the first videos are already online. They are films from the BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation", which we carried out last year. In short films, doctoral researchers from the BGHS talk to Sabine Schäfer, executive manager of the BGHS, about their dissertation projects, everyday research work and their enthusiasm for science.

Iris Bartelt starts with her project on the International Labour Organization (ILO) followed by Lorena Albornoz, who is working on the Mapuche in Chile. The trailer gives a foretaste of the other films in the series, which will published frequently in the near future.

The BGHS has broken new ground with this project and cooperated with Filmhaus Bielefeld e.V. whose members Jörg Erber and Magnus Krenz brought the technical and creative know-how to the table and did a great job of staging the BGHS members.

You can find the playlist for the film series here. Have fun watching it!

Children, Employment, and PhD

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:41:44 +0200

Children, Employment, and PhD

The new episode of the BGHS podcast “Chances and Challenges” is about how to juggle children, a doctorate and a career. Sabine Schäfer spoke to Sophie Borchelt, who has two primary school children, is doing her doctorate at the BGHS and works as the Coordinator for Internationalisation at the Faculty of Sociology. Sophie makes it clear that it's not always easy to reconcile all of this, but that it's worth it. Listen to the podcast here.

Career Pathways: Insights from BGHS Alumni into the cultural sector (Online)

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:31:32 +0100

Career Pathways: Insights from BGHS Alumni into the Cultural Sector (Online)

What professional paths lead to research- and culture-oriented institutions such as muse-ums, libraries, or memorials? In this online event, three BGHS alumni will provide insights into their current fields of work, their career decisions, and the intersections between re-search, knowledge transfer, and the public sphere.

With

Dr. Christiane Heß (Plattenhaus Poppenbüttel Memorial)
Dr. Martin Breuer (German Digital Library)
Dr. Christian Möller (Bielefeld Historical Museum)
Torben Möbius (Staatsarchiv Leipzig)

Date & Time: April 23, 2:00 PM (s.t.)

Location: Online

Registration: by April 19, 2026, via email to bghs@uni-bielefeld.de The event will be held in German; questions and discussions in English are very welcome.

Developing as a researcher during PhD

BGHS.NEWS — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:28:47 +0100

Developing as a researcher during PhD

In the new episode of the BGHS podcast “Chances and Challenges”, Sabine Schäfer talks to Thomas Faist, professor of sociology of transnationalisation, migration, and development, about transitions and developments of doctoral researchers during the PhD phase. They are dealing with issues such as the transition from student to researcher, the impact of different funding conditions of doctoral researchers on this development, and possible role conflicts. Listen to the podcast here.

Reden wir darüber – Forschung, Sprache, Gemeinschaft: A Successful Semester

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 23:43:03 +0100

Reden wir darüber – Forschung, Sprache, Gemeinschaft: A Successful Semester

The Study Group "Reden wir darüber – Forschung, Sprache, Gemeinschaft" has successfully concluded! During the winter semester 2025/26, we created a space where seven international doctoral researchers not only learned German, but lived it.

What We Achieved

Throughout the semester, all seven participants presented their research projects in German and shared their experiences in a supportive, collegial atmosphere. The feedback demonstrates how valuable this experience was for everyone involved:

"Everyone in the group was very patient."

"The course leaders and fellow students who were stronger in German always supported me patiently, which significantly boosted my motivation. Moreover, it was very enriching to gain insights into different research projects and thus broaden my horizons."

"I would say that I really enjoyed the program. It was a wonderful opportunity to practice my German in a practical way and also to hear the ideas of my other colleagues at BGHS."

What Made This Study Group Special

What distinguished this group was its ease and mutual respect. In a relaxed atmosphere without performance pressure, all participants could grow – regardless of their language level. Mistakes were not only allowed but welcomed as part of the learning process.

We thank all seven doctoral researchers for their commitment, openness, and courage in presenting their research in German.

The Study Group "Reden wir darüber" has shown that language is not just a tool – it is a bridge between people, projects, and communities. We look forward to continuing this initiative!

Join Us Next Semester!

The Study Group "Reden wir darüber – Forschung, Sprache, Gemeinschaft" will continue next semester! We warmly invite all international doctoral researchers to join our group. Whether you're just beginning to learn German or already speak fluently – you are welcome! Come and be part of our growing community.

Non-academic careers in politics and political education

BGHS.NEWS — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 07:55:24 +0100

Non-academic careers in politics and political education

On 22 January, the BGHS office held an online event on non-academic careers in politics and political education. Three BGHS alumni who work in these fields talked about their exciting work and their path into this professional field. The speakers were Franziska Wittau, head of the Thuringia State Agency for Political Education, Christian Ulbricht, head of the Regional Centre for Democratic Culture Vorpommern-Greifswald, and Simon Lange, parliamentary group leader of the CDU in the Bielefeld City Council. Above all, they provided valuable tips for doctoral researchers (and students) who are interested in these fields.

The advice could be summed up under the motto: Academia is not the (whole) world – even if it may seem that way when you are intensely focused on your doctoral research. However, it is not outside the world either, but the three alumni agreed that it is wise to broaden your horizons during your doctoral studies and read up on many different topics. This is because you may not have the time for this later in your professional life. Then it is important to be able to draw on a solid foundation of knowledge in order to quickly gain an overview of topics and make decisions.

Politics and political education always involve power games. However, the alumni encouraged us that this can be learned in everyday work. It is advantageous to find mentors or role models for support. Networking can also help find the way and get started in these professional fields. They recommend sticking the nose out of the bubble of university and the BGHS and orienting yourself outside during the doctorate. Gaining prior experience, for example by organising a workshop in the field of political education or finding a voluntary position, can help you start your career. This is because competition is fierce, especially for coveted positions in the civil service. Many positions are project-based at independent organisations and are therefore temporary and often not well paid. However, it can be worthwhile to take on such a position in order to gain professional experience and be at the forefront of the race for the next position that becomes available.

Don't be put off by these challenges, which are reminiscent of those in academia. The stories of Franziska, Christian and Simon show that these professional fields are definitely not boring and offer great opportunities for personal and socio-political development.

A historian’s view on PhD supervision, internationalization, and gender history

BGHS.NEWS — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:18:24 +0100

A historian’s view on PhD supervision, internationalization, and gender history

The new episode of the BGHS podcast "Chances and Challenges" focusses on three topics: Doctoral supervision, internationalisation and gender history. Martina Kessel, Professor of Modern History and Gender History and former Vice Rector for Internationalisation and Communication at Bielefeld University, knows all three topics inside out and talks to Sabine Schäfer, executive manager of the BGHS, about what has changed in recent decades (and what hasn't) and what could be good steps for the future. Listen to the podcast here.

Paths into Non-Academic Careers – Insights into Politics and Political Education

BGHS.NEWS — Thu, 8 Jan 2026 08:36:18 +0100

Paths into Non-Academic Careers – Insights into Politics and Political Education

When considering career paths after a doctorate, research and teaching are often the first things that come to mind. However, the expertise of PhD graduates is also highly sought after in other sectors—for instance in politics and political education. Many BGHS alumni have successfully stepped into these exciting fields, where they help shape social and political processes.

On 22 January 2026 at 2:00 p.m., three former BGHS members will share exclusive insights into their professional lives during the online event "Paths into Non-Academic Careers – Insights from BGHS Alumni into the Fields of Politics and Political Education." They will discuss their career trajectories, the challenges of entering the job market, and how they apply their academic skills in their current roles.

Our guests are:

Dr. Franziska Wittau, Head of Department at Landeszentrale für Politische Bildung Thüringen (State Agency for Civic Education)
Dr. Christian Ulbricht, Head of Regionalzentrums für demokratische Kultur Vorpommern-Greifswald (Regional Center for Democratic Culture Vorpommern-Greifswald)
Dr. Simon Lange, District Manager of the CDU Bielefeld

The discussion will cover topics such as how the transition from university to political practice can be successful, which expectations were met in the non-academic world, and what advice they can offer current doctoral researchers regarding their career planning.

The event will be held online, providing plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion. While the main language of the event is German, questions and contributions in English are very welcome.

Registration: If you wish to attend, please register by 18 January 2026 by sending an email to bghs@uni-bielefeld.de.

Workshop “Embodied Methods”

BGHS.NEWS — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:52:46 +0100

Workshop “Embodied Methods”

On 14 and 15 January, the international workshop “Embodied methods: Revisiting archives and ethnography to understand gendered lived experiences” will take place at the BGHS. Participants will empirically explore innovative approaches to archival research and ethnography through decolonial, critical, and affective perspectives in three different laboratories. We will also discuss how to critically and creatively rethink traditional and well-established methods rooted in the Western canon. For this event, we are honored to host international researchers Dr. Paulina Ultreras (CIESAS-Occidente, Mexico), Dr. Jennie Gamlin (University College London, UK) and Prof. Dr. Francis Seeck (TH Nürnberg, Germany). Each of them will facilitate a laboratory, archival work, critical ethnography, and affective ethnography, respectively. The event will start with an open round table discussion where the visiting academics will reflect on the workshop’s topic. Following a small break, doctoral researchers will present their work and have the opportunity to discuss their materials in an interdisciplinary group. The participants represent a wide range of disciplines, including social work, literature studies, sports education, history, sociology and gender studies.

The workshop is organized by the BGHS members Itxaso Garcia and Raisa Ferrer, as well as Maren Lange and Sophie Halcour from the Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Geschlechterforschung (IZG) in collaboration with the Center for InterAmerican Studies (CIAS). You find the programme here.

Quitting the PhD

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:03:05 +0100

Quitting the PhD

The new episode of the BGHS podcast “Chances and Challenges” is about what it feels like to quit the PhD. Mariza Mathis, a former BGHS member, talks to Sabine Schäfer, executive manager of the BGHS, about the process she went through when she started to have doubts about doing a PhD and how she decided to quit and take up a job in science management. Listen to the podcast here.

BGHS Members‘ Meeting

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 07:57:14 +0100

BGHS Members‘ Meeting

The BGHS Members’ meeting took place on 10 December. Sabine Schäfer gave a review of the activities that have taken place within the BGHS this year. The 20 completed doctorates were also honoured. The presentation of the annual review can be found here.
There were also previews of films from the BGHS film project "On People and Things – Science in Conversation", which was organised in cooperation with Filmhaus Bielefeld e.V.

In addition to the author Sabine Schäfer, some of the main actors were also present and celebrated, namely Iris Bartelt, Yixuan Liu, Paul Goerigk, Tiantian Li and Markus Buderath. Lorena Albornoz, Mariana Gomes and Christina Zschieschang could not be present. The release of the films is planned for the beginning of next year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a good start to the New Year!

Academic self-government during PhD

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:02:32 +0100

Academic self-government during PhD

There is a new episode of the BGHS podcast "Chances and Challenges". It asks why it makes sense for doctoral researchers at German universities to be active in academic self-government. Firstly, academic self-government enables all members of the university to contribute their perspective to the institution's decision-making processes. And secondly, it helps to familiarise oneself with the structures and people at the institution, which can also promote an academic career. Sabine Schäfer, executive manager of the BGHS, talks to Oliver Flügel-Martinsen, Professor of Political Theory and Dean of the Faculty of Sociology at Bielefeld University, about this often underestimated topic. Listen to the podcast here.

Welcome Day Winter Semester 2025/26

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:20:36 +0200

Welcome Day Winter Semester 2025/26

::7 new doctoral researchers at the BGHS::

On Tuesday, 14 October, the BGHS Welcome Day for the winter semester 2025/26 took place. The BGHS director Ruth Ayaß welcomed the new doctoral researchers, who had the opportunity to introduce themselves and get to know the doctoral representatives and the BGHS office staff. Sabine Schäfer then introduced the BGHS training and study programme. We wish all new members a wonderful start to their doctorate at the BGHS.

The new BGHS doctoral researchers and their projects:

Annika Duin (History): Post für die Vergangenheit. Briefe als Reaktionen auf antisemitische Gewalt 1945–1990

Sarah Frimpong (Sociology): Digital Financial Inclusion and Transnational Labour Markets: Nigerian Women in the Madina Market

Rachel Herfurth (Sociology): Untersuchung der Kompetenzen und Haltungen von HRSGe-Studierenden der Sozialwissenschaften im Umgang mit sozialer Ungleichheit in der sozialwissenschaftlichen Bildung

Franca Heuer (Sociology): Knowledge Production in Court: Judging Jihadist-Motivated Terrorism at German Higher Regional Courts

Laura Späth (Sociology): More Than Just Hair: An Ethnographic Exploration of the Journey of Hairpieces from China to Nigeria

Vrameswari Wati (Sociology): Exploring Pro-Gender Norms: The Discourse on Feminist Foreign Policy in Indonesia

Mario Wolf (Sociology): Measuring media political orientation in German local newspapers

You can find the Welcome Day presentation here.

Making of BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation" #5

BGHS.NEWS — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 08:17:08 +0200

Making of BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation" #5

The BGHS film project has now reached the post-production phase. This means that most of the work now takes place at the desk and in the editing room. Magnus Krenz from Filmhaus Bielefeld e.V. has created transcripts of the raw material, i.e. the films that were shot, which Sabine Schäfer then edits. On the one hand, the aim is to shorten and on the other - and this is a creative pleasure - to work out the essential issues.

Sabine poring over a transcript (Photo: private)

Of course, we would prefer to show everything, but the films should not be longer than 10 to 12 minutes. So we have to choose. And that's not so easy, because we want to keep the content coherent and also show interesting and beautiful pictures. That's where Magnus comes in, who not only directed the camera but also edits the film.

Magnus and Sabine in the editing room of the Filmhaus Bielefeld e.V. (Photo: private)

Magnus has already produced great pictures while filming and has not only put the doctoral researchers but also Bielefeld University in the limelight. Editing is now about getting to know the researchers and bringing their research projects to life.

Making of BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation" #4

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:29:18 +0200

Making of BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation" #4

On the fourth day of filming for the BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation", Sabine Schäfer spoke to Mariana Gomes and Christina Zschieschang about their dissertation projects.

Sabine Schäfer, cameraman Magnus Krenz and Mariana Gomes (Photo: Jörg Erber)

Mariana Gomes spoke about her research project on the situation of Brazilian au pairs in Germany. Over the past few months, she has spent a lot of time with young Brazilian women in Brazil and Germany and talked to them about their expectations and experiences of working as an au pair.

Christina Zschieschang shows the imagined future (Photo: Jörg Erber)

Christina Zschieschang then took us into space, or more precisely, into deep space. She investigates what ideas about the future are being incorporated into plans to explore the moon and Mars and perhaps even beyond. And it turns out that these ideas in Europe and the USA on the one hand and Russia and China on the other are not as different as one might think given the political situation.

Unfortunately, that was the last day of filming. But the project is far from over. From now on, the work will take place at the desk and in the editing room.

Christina Zschieschang, Magnus Krenz and Sabine Schäfer having a lot of fun during the shoot (Photo: Jörg Erber)

Making of BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation" #3

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 6 Aug 2025 11:01:42 +0200

Making of BGHS film project "On People and Things - Science in Conversation" #3

Selfie with bags: Jörg Erber and Magnus Krenz from Filmhaus Bielefeld e.V. approaching (Photo: Jörg Erber)

Shortly before the summer break, the third day of filming for the BGHS film project "Of People and Things - Science in Conversation" took place. And this time we were lucky with the weather and were able to stage the new entrance to the main university building.

Cameraman Magnus Krenz with Markus Buderath and Sabine Schäfer (Photo: Jörg Erber)

Markus Buderath talked very vividly about his research into the reform of the Scottish police force and the experiences he made during his field research in Scotland. His project deals with the exciting question of whether and how the police contribute to nation branding and thus become Scotland's figurehead. Perhaps the German police can also learn something from this ...

Sabine Schäfer in conversation with Tiantian Li (Photo: Jörg Erber)

The conversation with Tiantian Li then was about the big, wide world. Tiantian is working in a research project focussing on socio-political measures in times of ecological crises worldwide. She is currently collecting relevant documents and information from African and Latin American countries, thereby opening up a view of the achievements of the global South.

It was another super day of filming with exciting stories, great BGHS doctoral researchers and lots of fun!

Markus Buderath, Sabine Schäfer and Tiantian Li cheerful after work (Photo: Jörg Erber)

Let’s Talk About It – Research, Language, Community

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:05:50 +0200

Let’s Talk About It – Research, Language, Community

Are you an international doctoral researcher at the BGHS and would like to learn how to talk about your research in German? Then the study group “Let’s Talk About It – Research, Language, Community” in the winter semester 2025/26 is just right for you!

In a relaxed atmosphere and without any pressure to perform, we will practice presenting our projects in German, formulating questions, and having lively discussions – regardless of language level. Mistakes are explicitly welcome, as no one in the group is a native speaker – not even the facilitators!

We started this group in the summer semester of 2025. Although we were only a few participants, we had a great time – so we’re bringing it back in winter semester 2025/26! We’re inviting even more international doctoral researchers to join us.

(Copyright: Olivia Whelan)

What do participants say?

"I have the chance to present my research in German. The atmosphere is very pleas-ant, so I’m not afraid of making mistakes."

"We always start by talking for 10–15 minutes about what we’ve been doing over the past two weeks. That makes the group feel more relaxed."

"I really liked the overall concept. Everyone was respectful and patient."

"I definitely feel more confident speaking about my research in German."

Whether you’re already fluent or just starting out – you are warmly welcome. We want to grow together, support each other, and explore German as a working language – with courage, joy, and calm.

What to expect:

A safe space to speak German without pressure
Exchange about your research and other topics
A supportive, collegial atmosphere A personal start to each session: we begin with a relaxed recap of the past few weeks
And maybe even some creative ideas like short films or thematic discussions

Join us!

Meet people like you, try something new – and experience how exciting and rewarding it can be to speak German with international colleagues at the BGHS.

More info: https://ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de/kvv_publ/publ/vd?id=584491762

Summer break!

BGHS.NEWS — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 21:22:46 +0200

Summer break!

(Foto: Pixabay.com)

An exciting, busy semester is coming to an end! Before everyone disappears on holiday or into the intensive writing phase, we would like to take a moment to look back.

Firstly, we would like to warmly congratulate the nine BGHS graduates (all women, in fact) who have completed their doctorates since January 2025. In chronological order, these are:

Zhenwei Wang (sociology): The Gender and Class Dynamics of Families on the Move: An Ethnography on Translocal Kinning and Caregiving in Contemporary China

Maria Guadalupe Rivera Garay (sociology): Indigene Völker und transnationale Migration: Eine Schule der Migration zwischen Widerstand, Anpassung und Rekonzeptualisierungen

Alice Farneti (sociology): Experiencing Institutionalization. An Ethnographic Study of Activism against Sexual Violence in Montreal Universities

Clara Camille Held (history): Raum, Kontakt und Gewalt – sowjetische Kriegsgefangene des Stalag 326 VI K in Zwangsarbeit in Ostwestfalen-Lippe 1941-1945

Yvonne Schellhorn (history): Qualität nach Plan? Die Material- und Warenprüfung der DDR (1945-1964) Eva Kristin Färber-Vogt (sociology): Politische Einstellungen und Orientierungen zu Europa. Eine Studie zu Schülerinnen und Schülern an berufsbildenden Schulen

Alina Isakova (sociology): Do International Organizations Cooperate? Factors Influencing Cooperation among Inter- and Non-Governmental Organizations in Early Warning and Response to Violent Conflicts

Marthe Becker (history): Ethnographie und ἐκκλησία. Überlegungen zum ethnographischen Schreiben in den Kirchengeschichten des 4. und 5. Jh.s

Anna Maria Neubert (history): Towards Mapping the Field. Eine feministische Untersuchung der Rolle drittmittelgeförderter Projekte für die Entwicklung der Digital Humanities in Deutschland (1996-2021)

We are glad that the BGHS could accompany you in the doctoral phase!

We had some great activities on the programme this summer semester: the newly established BGHS Podcast "Chances and Challenges" provides insights into the diverse spheres of the doctorate and allows a wide range of people to have their say. A big thank you to our assistant Nicole Käufler, who initiated the podcast and is driving it forward with great commitment!

BGHS Coordinator Clara Buitrago not only organised and ran "Bridging the Gap", a preparatory programme for international doctoral candidates, but also set up a new study group together with BGHS member Bagus Sugiyono, where international doctoral researchers find a space to talk about their academic activities in German without any stress. Clara, you are the best!

Sabine Schäfer, Executive manager of the BGHS, organised the ninth edition of "Linie 4" , the BGHS' public lecture series in cooperation with the VHS Bielefeld, in which BGHS members Christina Zschieschang, Malin Houben and Stefan Roepke discussed their research with a wide audience. A very special highlight was the Interdisciplinary Dialogue "Language, Culture, and Academia", in which the translator Sandra Lustig, the linguist Ingrid Piller and the historian Lisa Regazzoni discussed with Sabine Schäfer their own confrontations with the internationalisation of universities, English as an academic lingua franca and German as an academic language. And with that, the BGHS office has well and truly earned its summer break.

We wish you a wonderful summer and a relaxed lecture-free time!