About
Founded in 2021, the Point Alpha Research Institute (PARI) is a collaboration between the Point Alpha Foundation in the City of Geisa, which runs the Point Alpha Memorial at the former Inner German border, the Fulda University of Applied Science and researchers of the University of Erfurt.
Based on the historical site of Point Alpha and its geographical location at the Fulda Gap, PARI conducts research on current pressing issues relating to global order, borders, war and democracy. In addition, PARI works with local and regional actors in the exchange between science and the public.
- Bringing cutting-edge research to the region
- Contribution to the reappraisal of historical processes
- Gaining insights for the present and future linking historical, social, political and cultural science perspectives in an inter- and transdisciplinary interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary dialogue
- Bringing together national and international cutting-edge research
- Development of innovative research projects and research approaches
- Promoting young researchers
- Dialogue on current issues between science and the public in order to develop recommendations for action and orientation knowledge for practice
- Exploration and revitalization of the former Inner German border region
Activities
Since its foundation in May 2022, PARI has organized 27 academic conferences and interdisciplinary workshops on topics such as democracy in the Anthropocene, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, or the Basic Treaty between the two German states, with the participation of a total of 51 internationally renowned researchers, eight public events and citizen dialogues on the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine or the history of right-wing radicalism in the region or talks with contemporary witnesses.
- PARI offers fellowships twice a year to deepen its research focus
- PARI awarded four fellowships in 2022 and eight in 2023
- PARI benefits from networking with other researchers through intensive exchange both locally and externally
Cooperation
- Scientific advisory board with four internationally renowned top researchers
- Joint fellowship with the Berlin Center for Cold War Studies
- Cooperation with MPIL (Heidelberg) for joint conference
- Cooperation with the University of Rijeka Center for Advance Studies Southeast (CAS SEE)
Promoting young scientists
- Three doctoral positions are assigned to the institute, and other doctoral students and postdocs are members of PARI.
- Young researchers are involved in all events organized by the institute and its cooperation partners and take part in their workshops and events.
- PARI offers them the opportunity to participate in current research debates, but also to regularly present and discuss their projects and their progress.
- PARI offers intensive support and exchange beyond the boundaries of their own discipline and university.
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