Apply for starting a Theme at Pufendorf IAS

A Theme is to be innovative in nature. It is to centre around a research problem that has not been previously explored. The research problem is to be one that requires knowledge from several disciplines working together to find a solution. Research questions linked to the problem are to be justified in the application, as are the ways they build on earlier research. One objective for the Theme’s work is to be oriented towards paving the way for future research and this is to be clearly stated in the application. However, there is no requirement to outline expected results – a Theme is expected to be exploratory in nature. 

An interdisciplinary approach places the central focus on the research question: it drives and develops methodology and theory. For example, the objectives of a Theme could be the development of perspectives, conceptual frameworks, definitions and investigative models.

Working on a Theme normally entails pursuit of a common language and common concepts. Each member must be prepared to challenge their own perspective and the group must be prepared to question and potentially change its original perspective. The Theme is encouraged to explore its subject with the help of creative approaches and methods. Members of the Theme are expected to be open-minded and curious.

What the institute offers

The Pufendorf IAS offers a unique environment at Lund University. The Institute is an oasis in the midst of academic life and offers researchers the time and space to develop new research and new interdisciplinary ideas.

The regular meetings of the Theme group are to be held at the Institute. It is a historic building with a pleasant and open atmosphere. The premises and technical resources are modern, providing a high standard for group meetings. It is an excellent place to discuss and exchange ideas. The Institute’s premises are available for group members every day of the week and the group has access to its own office. 

Members of the Theme have part of their salary costs compensated via the Institute, usually corresponding to 20% of full-time working hours for nine months. This time is freed up for work on the Theme. Furthermore, the Theme can apply for up to SEK 100,000 for its activities. Salary costs and activities are included in the Theme’s cost framework, which is established by the Institute.

There is also an opportunity in the application to nominate international researchers to participate in the Theme on site in Lund for 1-6 months. These researchers are remunerated corresponding to a full-time position at Lund University for the time they spend in Lund. Salary costs, travel and accommodation are funded by the Institute’s International Fellows Programme and are not included in the Theme’s cost framework. See below for more information about the programme.

The staff of the Institute provide assistance through practical, administrative and technical support.

Members of the Theme

A Theme is to bring together the interdisciplinary breadth of expertise that is needed to successfully address a research problem. This means that a Theme generally involves 5-8 researchers from different faculties at Lund University. It is important that the Theme gathers the competence required to successfully explore its problem area. A Theme is to be well balanced in terms of knowledge and experience in relation to the questions outlined in the application.

The members’ departments are compensated for the time the researchers undertake to work at the Institute.

The activities of the Pufendorf IAS are primarily intended for staff who hold a doctoral degree and are employed at Lund University throughout the period in question. In exceptional cases, researchers employed at external institutions may be included as unpaid members, provided they can participate in the regular work that takes place on site in Lund.

Unpaid members have no obligations in relation to the Institute and the composition of the Theme in terms of expertise cannot therefore be based on the crucial nature of the knowledge contributed by an unpaid member.

International Fellows Programme

The funding of the Pufendorf IAS’s International Fellows Programme by the LMK Foundation offers Themes the possibility to nominate Fellows. In this way, the group’s expertise can be supplemented by external, international researchers who are offered an opportunity for a funded sabbatical from their regular employment.

A Fellow must be prepared to work on the Theme on site for at least an uninterrupted period of one month. A maximum period of six months may be granted. The salary/remuneration offered for the work corresponds to full-time work at Lund University for the period or periods that a Fellow spends at the Institute.

In order to qualify for the programme, a nominated Fellow must be able to contribute specific cutting-edge expertise to the Theme that would be otherwise unobtainable. To be admitted as a Fellow, the majority of the researcher’s total research work and current and previous employment must be outside Sweden. A funding condition is that the researcher works on site at the Institute and cooperates with the Theme group.

Candidates to become a Fellow are nominated in the application. The candidates must have been asked and accepted the nomination before the application is submitted. Their names are to be stated in the application along with proposed dates for their visits. A CV of a maximum of five pages is to be appended. If the application is granted, a nominated Fellow is expected to be prepared to participate in the Theme. The director of the Institute makes decisions regarding Fellows following granted applications.

International Fellows Programme explained

The institute’s requirements

A Theme works one day per week at the Institute and the members are expected to be present and participate in the work of the group.

The coordinators are responsible for ensuring that the group actively works together. The coordinators are also responsible for communication between the Institute's staff and the group, and for supplying the Institute with information and documentation concerning the Theme.

The Theme is not expected to produce publishable research results during the Theme period. However, a final activity is to be planned and carried out by the Theme. This should focus on the way forward in the Theme's area after the Theme period. A proposal for the form of the final activity is to be specified in the application, as well as how this relates to the set objectives. Development of the final activity should be included as part of the Theme's work.

After the work has been concluded, the Theme is to submit a report of around 1,000 words that summarises the group’s results in relation to the Theme's objectives. All members also undertake to answer the questionnaires that form the basis for development of the Institute's activities.

Application

Decisions on Themes are taken by the board of the Pufendorf IAS. An initial decision establishes a shortlist, which consists of the applications that show particular potential for further research. Each application on the shortlist is sent to at least two external experts. These international experts have no previous knowledge of Lund University or Swedish conditions. The experts are asked to assess the proposed Theme’s originality and innovative nature, interdisciplinary approach and feasibility. Furthermore, the assessment assigns importance to the group’s combined expertise and relevance for achieving the group’s objectives. It is to be clear that the research questions linked to the research problem that the Theme intends to explore are well justified based on earlier research. 

The application is to be written in English and not exceed 5 pages or include more than 10 references to relevant research. The application is to be written using the Institute's template for Theme applications and include three parts: proposal, budget and CV. The budget is to be compiled and submitted using the Institute's Excel template for applications.

Detailed instructions on the content of the three parts of the application are given in the templates. Please note: The template for Theme application will be updated during summer 2025.