Project description
This chair is supported by the Leiden University Fund (LUF) and embedded in the institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University. The CA-DS research program Global Vulnerabilities and Social Resilience focusses on three areas of research: Sustainability, Diversity, and Digitalization. CA-DS currently hosts the Chairs of: Anthropology, Global Sociology, Anthropology and Sociology of Africa, the Chair by Special Appointment of Material Culture, and the Emeritus Professor of Environment and Development. Also affiliated to CA-DS is the Chair of African Studies with special attention to the Study of African Development, of the African Studies Centre of Leiden University. At CA-DS, this new chair by special appointment (bijzondere leerstoel) will develop innovative research and teaching on digital diversity, with a thorough ethnographic approach based on anthropological fieldwork, namely on an in-depth and long-term knowledge of the societies and the cultures that are the topic of investigation, in particular in Muslim Southeast Asia.

Key responsibilities
The Chair is expected to consolidate and profile the institute’s scientific tradition and expertise on the Anthropology and Sociology of Contemporary South East Asia. Beginning 1 January 2020, this Chair will coordinate and enhance the research and teaching topics of digitalization in contemporary societies, digital culture and digital diversity, with a regional focus on Muslim Asia, building on and expanding the current research and teaching on Muslim youth cultures and new media in South East Asia as well as on Digital Anthropology, providing a critical take on the information society in the Bachelor and Master CA-DS and playing a leading role in the development of teaching and research programs on digitalization in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

This Chair will develop opportunities for transdisciplinary and interfaculty research and research-driven teaching programs in the university-wide research program Urban Transitions run by the Indonesie Regio Groep, and further connect with ongoing LDE partnerships, especially on the topics of Digitalization, Global Heritage and Development, and potentially e-Health.

The Chair will build on existing networks and initiate new ones to expand existing collaborations in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan, submitting relevant network grant applications in areas such as NWO’s Smart Cities program, as well as maintaining and developing new partnership with private and public partners, especially with a view to funding research and student internships. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing the scientific research programme of CA-DS in the area “Anthropology of Digital Diversity, in particular in Muslim Southeast Asia” in cooperation with existing members of staff;
• Securing funded research projects at CA-DS;
• Developing and teaching courses at bachelor and graduate level in the framework of CA-DS International Bachelor Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, and the International Master Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology;
• Publishing in international peer-reviewed journals as well as ethnographic monographs;
• Supervising PhD projects and members of staff on the topic of the chair;
• Maintaining and developing new partnership with private and public partners, especially with a view to funding research and student internships. 

Selection criteria

• PhD in Cultural Anthropology;
• A clear research profile based on extensive ethnographic research experience;
• Record of external research funds;
• Experience in (co)supervising PhDs and early career scholars;
• Record of inspirational teaching;
• International publication track record;
• Record of impactful research and collaboration with societal actors (NGOs, government, foundations);
• Experience in academic leadership and management;
• Fluency in English and Dutch. While teaching in Dutch is not required, proven capacity and motivation to learn the language is expected for the good functioning of this role. If not speaking Dutch, reaching working standards (staatsexamen B2) within one year is required.