A History of Public Health and International Organisations, Movements and Experts in Twentieth Century Europe
Two Post-Doctoral Research Associates
The Department of History at Birkbeck
College, University of London, invites applications for two
Post-Doctoral Research Associates for up to 4 years, to work with Dr
Jessica Reinisch on a new Wellcome-funded project on "A History of Public Health and International Organisations, Movements and Experts in Twentieth Century Europe"
The project looks at ideas and forms of internationalism, and the
international ambitions of doctors, medical researchers, relief workers,
public health teams, politicians, generals, diplomats and policy-makers
in the twentieth century. It seeks to change the way we think about the
history of internationalism and international organisations.
Throughout the century, overwhelming impulses for international action
stemmed from public health crises and the need for collaboration on
questions of medical relief beyond national boundaries. The physical
destruction in the aftermaths
of the two world wars, mass population movements, the rise in the
numbers of stateless people and region-wide famines, for example, all
prompted concerns about global epidemics and public health disasters,
and resulted in specific, closely circumscribed, international
mechanisms. The project explores the roles played by debates about
public health and real or imagined health crises in the formation of
international structures, mechanisms and organisations.
The two Post-Doctoral Research Associates will assume responsibility
for two constituent research projects on crucial "international
moments", regions or organisations
in twentieth-century Europe. Their research is expected to lead to
academic publications. Case studies could include, for example, the
health work and impact of the League of Nations, or governmental,
non-governmental, humanitarian or philanthropic organisations
in medical relief; the public health challenges in the states in
Eastern Europe at key points in the century and their international
ramifications; or the medical work or public health operations of army
medical corps.
In addition to researching their case studies, the Post-Doctoral
Researchers will be involved in all aspects of the project, so as to
gain valuable professional and intellectual experience with a view to
furthering their academic career.
- They will contribute to a collaboratively-written history of twentieth century health and internationalism
- They will help to organise workshops, an international conference and other events, and will be involved in co-editing resulting publications.
- They will write content for the project's website and be
actively involved in the public engagement work of the project.
- They will be expected to help with the administrative
work involved in running the project, including managing the budget,
hosting board meetings,
hosting visiting fellows, editing outputs.
- They will be encouraged to present their results in international conferences and workshops.
Applicants must have, or expect to obtain shortly, a PhD with a specialisation in modern history or related field.
- Prior experience of conducting archive research is essential, as is the ability to work in a team.
- Working knowledge of a relevant language other than English is highly desirable.
- A commitment to distributing academic knowledge widely and accessible
is highly desirable, as is a demonstrable interest and track record in
the themes and facets of the project.
The position is based in London but will require travel to the relevant
archives. Research expenses for these trips are included in the post.
Please contact Dr Jessica Reinisch on j.reinisch@bbk.ac.uk
for further information or with any informal enquiries. Please apply
via www.jobs.ac.uk, and submit a CV, covering letter explaining how the
candidate's background and interests fit the position's requirement, and
the contact details of three academic referees.
Applications are due on 10 June. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 24 June, and interviews will be conducted in early July.
The position will start on 1 September 2013 or as soon
as possible thereafter. Since the funding is strictly time-limited, a
later start date would mean a corresponding reduction in the duration of
the fellowship.
| Contact: | Dr Jessica Reinisch j.reinisch@bbk.ac.uk |
| Website: | http://www.bbk.ac.uk/history/our-staff/full-time-academic-staff/dr-jessica-reinisch/research-interests |
