Contract for a short-term research project

The Esperantic Studies Foundation, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Economics at Humboldt University Berlin, the Institute of British Studies at Leipzig University, and the Department of German Studies at Sophia University Tokyo, is offering a contract for a short-term research project on the international assessment of linguistic justice, linguistic democracy and linguistic rights.

1 Tasks

The candidate is to compile a report covering the following topics:

– A comprehensive annotated bibliography of the specialist
literature on the concepts “linguistic justice”, “linguistic democracy,” and the social, practical and economic aspects of linguistic rights. It is of particular importance to explain the implications of these concepts for language policy and planning.

– A review of the most important collections or systems of
indicators for assessing language policies, or collections of non-linguistic indicators which nevertheless touch on or refer to languages.

– An review of the most important databases or surveys of
language proficiency and use.

2 Qualifications

The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in political philosophy, political sciences, economics or sociolinguistics or is presently finishing his or her studies in one of these fields. Applications from PhD students are especially welcome. The candidate should have a very good knowledge of English. Proficiency in other languages, especially in at least one among Esperanto, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Russian, is an advantage. The candidate will work under the guidance of a scientific committee whose members are Dr Michele Gazzola (chair), Prof Renato Corsetti, Prof Mark Fettes, Prof Sabine Fiedler, Prof Goro Christoph Kimura, and Prof Bengt-Arne Wickström.

3 Deadlines

The candidate is required to submit the following documents online by 25th August, 2013: CV/Résumé (no longer than two pages), letter of application (no longer than one page), one sample publication (if possible). The successful candidate will be notified by the first week of September 2013, and will be expected to begin work immediately. An interim evaluation will take place at the beginning of November, on the basis of a progress report. The final report is due by 15 January 2014.

4 Compensation

The sum of 3,000 US dollars will be paid upon completion of the report to the satisfaction of the scientific committee.

5 Contact and information

Dr Michele Gazzola: Gazzola (arrova) hu-berlin.de