News & Events
Hochdotiertes ERP-Stipendium für Studienvorhaben an Hochschulen in den USA!
Sie möchten an einer amerikanischen Hochschule Ihren Masterabschluss, einen Forschungsaufenthalt oder die Kursphase für einen PhD absolvieren? Dann bewerben Sie sich auf ein Stipendium des ERP-Programms! Mit diesem Programmen fördert die Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes Studien- und Forschungsaufenthalte an US-amerikanischen Spitzenuniversitäten. Die Studienstiftung ermutigt alle Interessierten – auch und gerade in Zeiten, in denen der Austausch von Ideen, Meinungen und Wissenschaftspraktiken vermehrt auf den Prüfstand gestellt wird –die Chance zum Aufbau persönlicher transatlantischer Beziehungen und Netzwerke zu nutzen.
Ziel des Programmes ist es, die transatlantische Verständigung zu stärken und hochqualifizierte Nachwuchskräfte, die eine Tätigkeit im öffentlichen Sektor anstreben, zu fördern und miteinander zu vernetzen. Das Programm richtet sich an sich an Absolvent:innen aller Fächer. Neben den Lebenshaltungs- und Reisekosten können in dem ERP-Stipendienprogramm Studiengebühren in Höhe von bis zu 50.000 USD übernommen werden.
Mit der Aufnahme in die Programme geht auch eine Aufnahme in die Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes einher. Sie haben Fragen zum ERP-Programm? Dann nutzen Sie die virtuellen Informationsveranstaltungen mit aktuellen ERP-Geförderten und der Programmleitung. Die Termine und weitere Programminformationen finden Sie hier: https://www.studienstiftung.de/erp/.
Bei weiteren Fragen wenden Sie sich bitte an erp@studienstiftung.de.
Bewerbungen sind zwischen dem 01. Juli und 15. September möglich!
A Special Guest in the Department of Anglophone Studies June 23 to July 3, 2025: Dr. Courtney Hodrick, Jewish Studies, Stanford University
Dr. Courtney Hodrick teaches in the program in Civic, Liberal, and Global Education at Stanford University, where she previously held a postdoctoral fellowship in Jewish Studies and completed her PhD in German Studies in 2023. Her research focuses on 20th Century German Jewish thought, and she is working on revising her dissertation, on hope in Arendt, for publication. She has also written articles and book chapters on Arendt's response to the nuclear bomb and her concept of forgiveness, as well as on Carl Schmitt and modern right-wing extremism.
We would like to cordially invite you to the Compromise in Modern Literature Lecture of Barbara Buchenau on June 25, 2–4 pm, R11 T00 D05, where Courtney will lecture on Max Czollek from 3 to 4 pm (following a lecture by Barbara Buchenau on literary compromises). Additionally, we invite you to participate in the Anglophone literatures and cultures research colloquium on July 1, 6:15 pm R12 R04 B02. For this colloquium, Dr. Courtney Hodrick will be submitting a paper entitled "Tradition Without Continuity in Hannah Arendt's On Revolution," for discussion (will be sent on Wednesday, June 25).
Post-Industrial Dialogues Across the Atlantic: “Home Is in the Heartland” in Duisburg
On June 17, 2025, the Amerikahaus NRW hosted the transatlantic event “Home Is in the Heartland: A Dialogue on Uniting Industrial Regions.” The evening brought together voices from the U.S. and Germany to discuss shared challenges facing post-industrial communities—from economic transformation to political polarization, and questions of identity and belonging.
The panel featured Ohio State Senator Kent Smith, public affairs consultant Anne Mervenne, Professor Barbara Buchenau (University of Duisburg-Essen), and Anna Mengede (TalentKolleg Ruhr), and was moderated by Axel Ruppert (Das Progressive Zentrum). The conversation addressed opportunities for youth, the return of Donald Trump to the White House, and ways to foster stronger transatlantic cooperation in regions often left behind by national progress narratives.
The event was part of the Midwest Policy Makers’ Study Tour to Germany’s Industrial Core Regions and was the delegation’s only public event in North Rhine-Westphalia.
UDE Welcome GKS for "Canada Day" at the Bibliothekssaal
Join us on June 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. in the Bibliothekssaal for a special “Canada Day” event marking the relocation of the GKS (Association for Canadian Studies in German-speaking Countries) office to Essen, with an introduction by GKS Vice-President Christoph Vatter (FSU Jena). The event will feature short talks on Canadian literature and culture, as well as information on funding opportunities for students. Additionally, the students of RUDESA 2025 will present the Faces of Liberation poster exhibit.
The evening will conclude with an ELMS special screening of Life of Pi (2012, directed by Ang Lee) at 6:30 p.m.
Visit of Rosalyn Story
Rosalyn Story is a lecturer, professional classical violinist, journalist, and author of both fiction and non-fiction. She plays violin in the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in Fort Worth, TX, lectures at Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and dedicates the rest of her time to writing about the visual and performing arts.
June 10, 4–6pm (S04 T01 A01): Words and Sounds from the Big Easy
June 11, 2–4pm (R12 R05 A69): How to Be an Author in the 21st Century
June 12, 10am–12pm (LeseRaum, Am Handelshof 1, 45127 Essen): A Reading with Rosalyn M. Story
"The Costs of Eternity: Germany’s Post-Coal Prophecy for Appalachia" Jarred Johnson for the Oxford American
“Four thousand miles away from home, I have come closer to my grandfather’s experiences in the mines of eastern Kentucky than ever before.” – Writer and former UDE guest Jarred Johnson reflects on his research journey through Germany’s Ruhr region. His essay, “The Costs of Eternity: Germany’s Post-Coal Prophecy for Appalachia,” published in the Summer 2025 issue of Oxford American, draws parallels between Germany’s industrial transformation and the challenges faced by post-coal communities in Appalachia. Johnson’s insights stem from his visit to the Ruhr area in fall 2024, supported by a DAAD short-term research grant, during which he used the Department of American Studies at UDE as a base for his work and research, and collaborated with Prof. Barbara Buchenau and Prof. Florian Freitag’s BA Seminar “Sustainable Urbanities.”
"New Universal Theme Park Set to Open in UK" Prof. Dr. Florian Freitag interviewed by Leila Nathoo for BBC Radio 5
“We’re not talking about a regional park here – we’re talking about a destination park with a supranational reach.” – Prof. Dr. Florian Freitag discusses the cultural and economic significance of the planned Universal theme park in the UK on BBC Radio 5.
Ruhr PhD Forum in American Studies 2025
Special Edition Back on Track: A Writing Retreat for PhD Candidates
Have you ever felt like you’ve “lost the thread” of your dissertation or research focus?
This retreat is here to help you reconnect. Organized exclusively for PhD candidates in North American Studies, this year’s Ruhr PhD Forum in North American Studies offers a day of reflection, writing, and collaboration in a supportive academic environment.
This retreat is designed to help you regain momentum, share ideas, and find new inspiration for your dissertation. Step away from the everyday demands of research and teaching to focus on what matters most: your writing and your academic journey.
What to Expect:
• Dedicated Writing Sessions: Quiet, focused time to make progress on your dissertation.
• Peer Exchange: Share insights, challenges, and ideas with fellow North American Studies PhDs.
• Professor Drop-In Sessions: Get valuable feedback and guidance from professors in the field.
• Mindful Breaks: Recharge with a walk or reflection time to clear your mind.
• Reconnection and Inspiration: Rediscover the passion and purpose driving your research.
Join us for a day to focus, connect, and move forward in your PhD journey. Together, we’ll “find the thread” and weave your ideas into a stronger narrative.
Who Can Attend:
PhD candidates and Researchers publishing their first book in North American Studies from across the universities of the Ruhr Alliance, the KWI and the University of Münster.
We have up to three spots available for candidates who would like to join us from the GAAS (DGfA) and GKS.
How to Apply:
Please send your application to: Barbara.Buchenau@uni-due.de and Florian.Freitag@uni-due.de
Organizers: Prof. Dr. Barbara Bucheanu, Prof. Dr. Florian Freitag, Ana Gomez Laris and Zohra Hassan-Pieper
Supported by: University of Duisburg-Essen