The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) invites applications for a

Postdoctoral Researcher on the Horizon Europe project “#DEMOCRACYINACTION: grassroots culture, arts and cultural spaces for political participation and expression online and offline in a resilient Europe” (0.8 FTE for 3 years)

The Postdoc will be working on a subproject within the Horizon Europe project “#DEMOCRACYINACTION: grassroots culture, arts and cultural spaces for political participation and expression online and offline in a resilient Europe”,funded for 2025-2028 and coordinated by Dr Sara Brandellero and co-coordinated by Dr Kamila Krakowska Rodrigues.

#DEMOCRACYINACTION studies arts- and culture-based grassroots organizations in physical spaces and their social media and metaverse dimensions, to understand their critical potential in fostering democracy. #DEMOCRACYINACTION focuses on four key areas of grassroots social transformation of untapped potential: 1) nightivism (urban nighttime cultural life for political engagement); 2) women’s rights mobilization; 3) racial and ethnic civic participation through cultural expression; 4) youth activism and civic education. Research covers cases in all EU regions, together with cases in the Americas, Africa, Middle East and Asia, in democratic and non-democratic contexts. It considers online and offline realities as inextricably intertwined. It is underpinned by a comparative, transdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder approach, involving collaboration with community centres, theatres, exhibition halls, among other physical spaces, as well as virtual immersive environments. It aims to deliver cutting-edge research and policy recommendations for a democratic and safe use and design of social media and metaverse environments.

Subproject “Nightivism: night spaces for political expression”
We are looking for a highly motivated, enterprising and enthusiastic Postdoc candidate to join the project team and conduct research on night spaces’ potential for political expression, with a special focus on the use of online spaces.

Today’s 24-hour economy is increasingly impacting on social dynamics and economic well-being and is an intrinsic, yet overlooked, aspect of the EU’s strategy on economic growth, innovation, sustainable cities. The project focuses on nighttime urban spaces, specifically on independent, grassroot nighttime arts and entertainment organizations and municipal commercial venues, as well as virtual nightclubs (metaverse) and the use of social media and other online spaces by night venues for strengthening democratic values and social cohesion. An example of this is the fact that nighttime venues are often unsung heroes of struggles for creating spaces of inclusivity (such as LGBTQA+ safe spaces). The project focuses on nocturnal public spaces as sites of belonging, as safe spaces for intercultural exchange for diverse age groups and racial and ethnic communities, acknowledging the ‘worlding’ of urban centres. It recognizes that social gatherings ‘after hours’ are precious opportunities for free self-expression and for bridging social divides.

The post-doc will work closely with the Leiden team on its focus on ‘nightivism’ and will be expected to collaborate with partners within the project consortium as whole, whenever appropriate, on the collection and analysis of data related to the use of online spaces for fostering grassroots culture and democratic values in all the thematic areas covered by #DEMOCRACYINACTION.

The Consortium
The research consortium brings together research teams at the Center for African and Development Studies in Lisbon, Spanish National Research Council’s Institute Mila y Fontanals in Barcelona, Spain; Jagellonian University in Kraków, Poland; Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal in Germany; Institute of Public Affairs Foundation in Warsaw, Poland; Santagata Foundation (Turin, Italy); VibeLab research, consultancy and advocacy agency (Amsterdam, Netherlands); DE/MO foundation (Amsterdam, Netherlands), and the team based at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS), which is comprised of Dr Sara Brandellero, Dr Kamila Krakwoska Rodrigues, Prof. Dr. Sybille Lammes. The team will work alongside artists and diverse cultural organizations engaged in progressive, democratic political expression through culture across Europe and selected collaborators in the project based in the Americas, Africa, Middle East and Asia.

Your tasks within the project

• Conducting (digital) fieldwork research on digital spaces used by night venues and cultural productions for strengthening social cohesion, empowerment and democratic values. This will involve some collaboration with other teams in the consortium (e.g. metaverse; youth research areas).
• Contribution to the co-design and co-organization of team meetings, events, knowledge exchange and dissemination activities, especially in connection with the Leiden team (e.g. project final conference in Leiden, Europe Night Labs).
• Contribution to the project’s publication plan, which is expected to involve 2 (co-authored or single-authored) peer-reviewed journal articles and one co-authored book chapter for the planned edited volume, as well as contribution towards other related deliverables (e.g. policy recommendations, data set).
• Data management
• Participating in meetings of the project research group, both in Leiden and the yearly consortium meetings abroad.
• Presenting papers at conferences, both in the Netherlands and internationally
• Participating in the intellectual life of LUCAS. This will involve being in Leiden 2/3 days a week.

Your profile

• You will have been awarded a PhD by the time of the appointment. We are open to consider applications from candidates with a demonstrable affinity to the project scope, with academic backgrounds that may include (but not restricted to) Cultural Studies, Cultural Analysis, Cultural/Visual Anthropology, Digital Cultures, Media Studies, Critical Geography, Philosophy. The candidate’s background should give evidence of synergies with research into political expression in arts and culture and art activism. Interest in transnational, multicultural settings may be an advantage.
• Demonstrable experience of engaging with digital culture/online spaces
• (Digital) ethnographic fieldwork skills
• Experience of or willingness to learn software for social media accounts and digital platforms analysis
• Analytical skills, and a clear and persuasive style of writing
• Native or near-native command of English (command of other language might be an advantage)
• Proven time-management skills
• Independent, pro-active thinker and team player.

International candidates must be willing to relocate to, and be officially registered in, the Netherlands for the duration of the project.

The organisation
The Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University is a unique international centre for the advanced study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. Our faculty is home to more than 6,000 students and 800 staff members. For more information see: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities. The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is one of the seven Academic Institutes of the Faculty of Humanities. The institute hosts a range of academic disciplines, clustered around a key research theme: the relationships between the arts and society. Our members study cultural production over the course of two millennia, from classical antiquity to our contemporary world, and teach in programmes ranging from Classics and Book History to Modern Literature, International Studies and Art History. Strengthened by our diversity, LUCAS members are uniquely placed to study the broad concept of the arts, with its rapidly changing ideas, aesthetics, and theories of cultural production. Through research, teaching and outreach, the Institute aims to deepen our understanding, both inside and outside academia, of the cognitive, historical, cultural, creative, and social aspects of human life.
As an academic community, we strive to create an open and welcoming atmosphere, stimulating everyone to get involved and contribute, and connecting scholars from different fields and backgrounds.

We offer
We offer a 0.8 FTE position as postdoctoral researcher for 3 years. The appointment will start 1 February 2025. The salary is in accordance with the collective salary agreement of the Association of Dutch Universities (CAO) and depending on qualifications and experience. The gross monthly salary is € 4.492,- (scale 11.0) to € 5.111,- (scale 11.4) for a full working week. Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. https://www.workingat.leiden.edu/.

Teaching Opportunities
Depending on your background and the demand, there may be opportunities to undertake some teaching for a maximum of 0.2 FTE, on top of the 0.8 FTE research appointment.

Diversity & Inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Enquiries can be made to the PI of the project, Dr Sara Brandellero. Questions about the procedure can be directed at Jennifer Dijkman (im-lucas@hum.leidenuniv.nl). Information about LUCAS can be found at ttps://www.universiteitleiden.nl/geesteswetenschappen/centre-for-the-arts-in-society and about Leiden University at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en.

How To Apply
Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top of this page, latest Sunday, 17 November 2024. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Your application should include:

• A letter of motivation specifying the candidate’s affinity with the areas of Night Studies, Digital Culture and cultural activism. The letter should outline how your background and experience contribute to the sub-project and the project as a whole (max. 2 A4);
• A (short) CV including information on PhD, other relevant research experience and competencies, employment history, any teaching experience, publications and any other experience deemed relevant (max. 2 A4);
• A research proposal, describing how you propose to contribute to the project. The proposal must include at least one digital case study. Inclusion of at least one analogue case study, and how it relates to the digital, may be an advantage.
• Names, positions, and email addresses of two referees (no reference letters); please list these on your cv rather than filling them out separately in the system.

(Online) interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to be held on Wednesday, 27 November.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.