We live in times of global uncertainty – this is the tenor of many current debates. There are many reasons why perceived certainties about the course of social, economic or political developments are losing their power of orientation (or have already lost it). Whether it is the consequences of climate change, the Russian war against Ukraine, political polarization and erosion of democratic institutions, the current inflation, the yet unknown effects of technological innovations or the challenges of global health crises: Uncertainty has become a defining characteristic of our time.
Where the grounds for assessment, decision and action are in question, a need for orientation emerges – in individuals, groups and societies. This need goes deep and requires taking new perspectives and separating this state from other form of openness: While in decision-making situations “risk” may refer to known, calculable alternatives and “uncertainty” may refer to known, but no longer calculable alternatives – the even more pervasive “uncertainty” that inspired the program is one where neither alternatives nor probabilities are known anymore.
The interdisciplinary, international Scholarship Program “Uncertainty” by ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS reacts to these diagnoses of the times. It brings together perspectives from Humanities, Social Studies, Economics and Law shedding light on this complex issue. The program includes scholarships for different stages of Ph.D. research. Furthermore, we foster ideas, interdisciplinary exchange, mutual learning and networking through workshops and annual conferences.
You can find further information and the current Call for Applications here. Applications can be submitted here until 15 October 2024.
Contact person:
Matthias Koch, Project Manager Research and Scholarship, m.koch@zeit.stiftung.de
Academic Advisory Board
Prof. Dr. Michael Grünberger (Bucerius Law School, Hamburg)
Prof. Dr. Lisa Herzog (University of Groningen)
Prof. Dr. Jörn Leonhard (University of Freiburg)
Prof. Dr. Sofia Näsström (Uppsala University)
Dr. Colin von Negenborn (University of Hamburg)
Prof. Dr. Cláudio Pinheiro (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
Dr. Lucas von Ramin (Technical University of Dresden)
Prof. Dr. Shalini Randeria (Central European University, Vienna)
Prof. Dr. Ranabir Samaddar (Calcutta Research Group)
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schwenker (ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS / HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick (Bielefeld University)
