Linking Theory and Empirical Research
Berlin, July 15-27, 2012
The Berlin Summer School in Social Sciences – Linking Theory and Empirical Research aims at promoting young researchers by strengthening their methodological understan- ding in linking theory and empirical research.
In a first step, we tackle the key methodological challenges of concept-building, causati- on and micro-macro-linkage that occur in all research efforts and aim at a clarification of the epistemological implic tions underlying methodological paradigms. In a second step, we apply these methodological considerations by looking at how central empirical fields of research in political science and sociology have dealt with these challenges and – by referring to selected empirical studies – what solutions have been found to over- come them. Furthermore, participants are provided with hands-on research advice and have the opportunity to present their own work and approaches to these issues.
The Berlin Summer School is a joint endeavor of two of Germany’s leading social science institutions, the Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences (BGSS) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB).
The two-week summer school both attracts internationally renowned scholars and draws on Berlin-based faculty. Among the confirmed international lecturers are Delia Baldassarri (Princeton University), Peter Bearman (Columbia University), Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley), Craig Calhoun (NYU/LSE), Donatella Della Porta (EUI), Ronald Inglehart (University of Michigan), and Klaus von Beyme (Universität Heidelberg).
The international summer school is open to thirty PhD candidates. Due to generous funding by the BGSS and the WZB, there will be no tuition fee. We have applied for additional funding and thus might be able to cover travel and accommodation costs for all participants. A decision is expected soon. Five ECTS Credit Points can be granted upon successful completion.
The call for applications has opened. Applications can be submitted online via the application form until March 31, 2012.
For additional information, please visit our webpage at www.berlinsummerschool.de or contact directly Andreas Schäfer