students & early-career researchers
Students and early-career researchers welcome!
GAPS is an organisation committed to intensive academic exchange in the field of Anglophone Postcolonial Studies, not only on the level of professors and professional scholars. It is among the central aims of the association to support students and early-career researchers in their studies of postcolonial literatures, cultures and theories and to establish Postcolonial Studies as a regular feature of Anglophone research and teaching.
Consequently, the association encourages M.A. and PhD students to join GAPS and participate in the academic exchange that the association fosters. At its conferences, GAPS provides students and early-career researchers with the opportunity to find out more about Anglophone postcolonial literatures and cultures and to enter into an active dialogue with scholars and authors from the field. In addition, GAPS offers information and support to students who are interested in the field or plan a thesis or dissertation in Anglophone Postcolonial Studies.
Students and PhD candidates who are pursuing Postcolonial Studies can become full members of the association at reduced rates; they are welcome at our annual conferences; and they are represented on the GAPS board. Being a member of GAPS means being part of a lively academic network which is likely to complement and enrich your studies in many ways, not only if you are planning an academic career.
Sustaining GAPS memberships available
We invite applications by students who wish to be GAPS members but find it difficult to pay the membership fees. The fee will be subsidized by the Sustained Members of GAPS. Applicants should write to the president as well as the treasurer of GAPS, briefly explaining why they wish to be considered under this category.
GAPS events for students and early-career researchers
Students and early-career researchers are welcome to participate in three recurrent events that are supported by GAPS to foster the exchange with like-minded peers: the annual conference, the biannual GAPS Summer School and the annual early-career researchers conference of the postgraduate forum “Postcolonial Narrations”.
The annual GAPS conference is a platform where a variety of scholars and writers from all over the world present their current research. The conference offers students and early-career researchers the opportunity to get into contact with senior scholars outside the common university setting and to diversify their knowledge about a variety of topics discussed in the area of postcolonial literatures and cultures.
GAPS members regularly organize Summer Academies on current topics in postcolonial literatures in English. At these Academies authors and academics give students an insight into the cultural and literary variety of their field of study. Students also earn credit points (ECTS) towards their degrees.
The annual postgraduate forum Postcolonial Narrations aims to bring together PhD candidates from Germany and beyond who are working in the field of postcolonial literatures and cultures. It provides a platform for early-career researchers to foster exchange and stimulate discussions of their research topics. With the support of GAPS, the postgraduate forum organises a yearly conference at which participants discuss their ideas and current projects with fellow early-career researchers.
Recently, an informal Coffee Hour has been established. This format invites student and ECR members of GAPS to have a virtual coffee or lunch break together to chat and network. It takes place four times per year. The respective Zoom details are distributed via the monthly newsletter. Alternatively, e-mail our students and early-career researchers representative to receive the details.
Information for International Students
Would you like to pursue your PhD in Postcolonial Studies or a related field of study in Germany but don’t know where to start? We have compiled some information on how to apply for PhD funding and how to find a potential supervisor here.
Contact
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our students and early-career researchers representative on the GAPS board in case you have any questions.