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Centre for Iranian Cultural Studies

Postgraduate Research Dialogues

CICS Postgraduate Research Dialogues is an initiative begun in 2011 that is intended to enhance and develop Iranian cultural research within the University as well as encourage postgraduate involvement in the CICS.

The way CICS Postgraduate Research Dialogues works is by inviting suggestions for a postgraduate-led Research Dialogue topic from amongst current Durham postgraduates (either individuals or in groups) working in Iranian Studies. The Research Dialogue topics will be reviewed by the board of the CICS and the best topic will be chosen for support.

The postgraduate or postgraduates whose Research Dialogue topic is chosen for support will be given financial support of up to £1,000 to organise a discussion group, a lecture or seminar series and/or a one-day or half-day workshop during the course of the year.

Priority will be given to Research Dialogue topics that develop new research agendas or that re-examine old research questions using new methods, especially inter-disciplinary methods and approaches. The CICS will also be looking for ideas that involve bringing outside academics and postgraduates to Durham to participate in the Research Dialogue events.

How are the topics selected?

If you are a Durham research postgraduate in Iranian studies and have a topic that you would like to propose as the CICS Research Dialogue topic for this year, you need to get the support of at least one named academic member of staff in your department or school and submit a 500 word outline of the topic, plus a short budget statement, to the CICS Director, Dr Derek Kennet, by Friday, 18 November 2011 .

You need to explain what you are planning and why you believe it would make a good CICS Research Dialogue topic. You might select a topic closely related to your own area of research, or perhaps something less closely related that you would like to explore and develop. Either way, you should think about formulating a topic that will generate interest amongst other research postgraduates and staff and that is relevant to current national and international debates.

What are the expectations of a CICS Research Dialogue leader?

To organise:

  • A post-graduate lunchtime seminar and discussion group; and/or
  • An evening lecture series; and/or
  • A one-day or half-day workshop.

What are the advantages of being a CICS Research Dialogue leader?

The benefits include:

  • To allow you to explore and develop a topic of research interest.
  • To gain some financial support to allow you to invite academics or research postgraduates to Durham.
  • To allow you to develop academic contacts and a reputation in the particular research area.
  • That you can put on your CV that you were selected as a CICS Research Dialogue leader.

It is felt that all of these points will be useful in developing the experience, reputation and contacts in your chosen research areas that will help you with your careers. It is also expected that these activities will enhance the research environment in the University and allow some of the very obvious energy and talents of current research postgraduate students to be harnessed towards that same end.

Further Information

If you have any questions please contact Dr Derek Kennet for further information.