Newsletter: April 2019

"Context" is perhaps the most important term in area studies. Experts in this field study regions in the context of their languages, cultures, history and other aspects.

Kenya's new constitution has given rise to much hope. Whether it will also increase the political participation of women is something Shillah Memusi is researching at the BIGSAS graduate school in Bayreuth.

The social anthropologist Minh Nguyen from Bielefeld University is researching the way the welfare system is organised in different societies. In the process, she has made some important findings.

Each year, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation provides doctoral scholarships to support innovative and convincing research projects. The next closing date for applications is 30 April 2019.

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) honours international researchers with innovative green ideas. Applications can be submitted from 8 April until 22 May 2019.

The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) supports doctoral students who are working on sustainable solutions to current environmental problems. The closing date for applications is 15 June 2019.

Many online platforms – be they Facebook, Twitter or Google – have one thing in common: they primarily show users news content that reflects their personal interests and attitudes. Communication scientist Wolfgang Schweiger explores how social media are changing the way opinions are formed.

That's how long Alexander von Humboldt's American expedition lasted. During this time, the German natural scientist became one of the most important thought leaders of the modern era.