Research School CNWS, Leiden University
Aims
The aim of the Research School is to encourage Asian, African,
and Amerindian studies in the Humanities, the Social Sciences,
and Law; to strengthen cooperation between the disciplines
involved, to intensify the collaboration with national research
institutes and museums in Leiden, and to stimulate
internationalization of research and teaching in the various
relevant areas and disciplines. Geographically, the focus of
attention is on Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast
Asia and Oceania, the Far East, South and Meso-America, the
Caribbean islands, and Indian North America. Each of these areas
is studied from various disciplinary angles, notably archaeology,
anthropology, art history, development sociology, history, law,
linguistics, literature, and religion.
Composition and organization
The Research School CNWS facilitates the research of the senior
scholars who are appointed members to the School by the Faculty
of Arts, Leiden University, on the recommendation of the Board
of the CNWS and after consultation with the relevant faculty and
department. The members spend at least fifty percent of their
research time on projects included in the Research Programme of
the CNWS.
The School is governed by a Board consisting of five members. The
meetings of the board are attended by a representative of the
CNWS PhD students. The board members are appointed for a period
of three years by the Faculty of Arts, Leiden University.
Chairman of the Board is Prof. P. W. Klein.
The daily activities of the CNWS are supervised by a Director and
Joint Director, who are assisted by a staff of four people. The
Board is supported by four advisory committees that advise on
general matters and on activities related to the academic
functioning of the CNWS, its training programmes for PhD
students, and the CNWS publication projects.
All of the research projects which are being carried out by the
Research School are grouped into sixteen separate research
clusters. These clusters are made up of the members of the
Institute, who are teaching in one or more non-Western
departments of Leiden University (Faculties of Arts, Law, or
Social Sciences), Amsterdam Free University (Faculty of Arts),
and the Catholic University of Nijmegen (Faculty of Arts).
All clusters are set up on the basis of one or more academic
disciplines. There are two monodisciplinary clusters, working in
the field of linguistics. The interdisciplinary clusters are
organized either regionally or thematically. Their emphasis on
a particular region or theme cuts across the profiles of the
undergraduate non-Western departments. In this way the clusters
hope to provide new stimuli for research.
At present, the CNWS is responsible for the research of some 120
senior researchers, and for the work of some 85 junior
researchers (PhD students). The junior researchers include the
so-called 'Aios' (who are appointed by the University) and the
'Oios' (who are appointed by the Netherlands Organization for
Scientific Research, NWO, The Hague).
Publications
The School also publishes the CNWS Publications. This
series was started in 1991, and since then, 46 books have
appeared. The series was established as part of a deliberate
policy to publish research which having little commercial
visibility would otherwise never reach a wider audience. The
books are moderately priced and published within a short time
after being submitted. All the manuscripts are adjudicated by
outside experts in the field before the editorial board passes
the manuscript for publication.
PhD training
The main day-to-day activities of the CNWS are related to the
supervision and training of PhD students, of whom all attend
courses and seminars. These are organized at various levels.
Firstly, at the beginning of their training, the students attend
a number of short introductory courses on various thematic and
practical subjects, including the study of history of the non-
Western world; narrative structures; gender aspects; the use of
audio-visual means in research; the writing of academic reports
in English, and the like. Secondly, the students, throughout the
whole period of their appointment, attend meetings organized by
their supervisor. During these meetings, the students present and
discuss the results of their work so far. Thirdly, there are
courses and seminars organized by the research cluster to which
the students belong. These activities are often attended by
nationally and internationally renowned scholars. These, and
other staff, present papers which are discussed with the
students. Advanced PhD students are also often encouraged to
contribute. Finally, all PhD students have a personal supervisor,
in some cases more, who, in conjunction with the Director of the
CNWS, is responsible for the progress of the student's work. The
students receive tutorials from their supervisors, and present
parts of their written work to their supervisor for correction.
Fellowships
In order to be admitted as a graduate or PhD student at the
Research School, the student's proposal should be supported by
a member of staff of the School who is prepared to be his/her
supervisor. Admission allows the student to use all the
university facilities, including tutorials and libraries.
Each year the Research School grants a limited number of PhD
scholarships for a maximum period of four years with the specific
task of writing a PhD thesis. In order to apply for such a
fellowship, the student should present a research proposal plus
further information (C.V., etc.). As in the case of other
admissions, such a proposal should be supported by a professor
attached to the CNWS who will act as `promotor'. The
advertisement for these appointments is normally published at the
beginning of the year, and enrolment takes place on 1 September.
Information
More detailed information about the CNWS can be obtained via the
CNWS Homepage, Internet, that is linked up to the IIAS Homepage.
Brochures, leaflets, and catalogues of books published by the
CNWS can also be obtained via the CNWS secretariat.
Twice yearly the School publishes the CNWS Newsletter.
This Newsletter is sent free of charge to interested universities
and institutes in Holland and abroad. It includes information on
the CNWS, research projects, seminars, and congresses held in
Leiden, etc. Those who would like to receive the Newsletter are
asked to contact the CNWS secretariat. The Newsletter is not sent
to individuals. The Newsletter can also shortly be consulted via
Internet.
CNWS secretariat
Nonnensteeg 1-3
PO Box 9515
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-71-5272171
Fax: +31-71-5272210