Welcome from Global Studies Chair Alexandra Délano
Message from the Chair
Alexandra Délano
Chair, Global Studies
September 7, 2017
As we come back from the summer break, in the wake of Charlottesville, Hurricane Harvey and the end of DACA, it is difficult to know where to put our energies and how to respond. As nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise, more than ever it seems urgent that we connect the work we do here to broader events and movements, and think through how best to support each other, extend our work and solidarity to all the communities left without protection, and think about our next steps together.
As I settle into my new role as Chair of Global Studies, I hope to be able to think through these questions with all of you, through our classes and events, and spaces where we continue to build our community, and share our work and ideas. This year we have a new dedicated space for Global, Urban and Environmental Studies on the 9th floor at 66 W. 12th Street, and we encourage you to get in touch with Geeti Das or Olivia Hartle, our Program Coordinator and Program Manager, to book it for your study groups and meetings. As always, we will be holding our monthly Coffee Hours for students, faculty, and alumni to connect. We are hosting a Welcome Reception with Urban and Environmental Studies on September 14th where I hope to see all of you. This is an important moment to connect with and support each other, learn more about and amplify the work you are all doing. In addition to joining us for these and other events listed below, please send us news of your projects, exhibits, internships, art, and activism, and your thoughts and ideas for the program — we want to hear from you!
We are continuing to plan ways to support you and build our community, including a new platform to connect current students and alumni. As always, we will be putting out a call for applications for our Research & Engagement Awards in mid-October to help with the costs of study abroad and independent research. As you plan for your year ahead, I urge you to start looking at funding opportunities across the university, including the Gilman Awards, the Lang Opportunity Award, Lang CESJ mini-grants, the Gural Scholars program, and grants from the India-China Institute (for which an information session is planned on September 27, 5-7 p.m.). Check our Facebook page where we’ll post more information on these, other events and internships, and calls to action around the city as they come in.
In thinking about the future, I am reminded of how much has gone into bringing us to where we are now. Jonathan Bach’s amazing leadership, wisdom, and tireless efforts have made Global Studies the thriving intellectual space and community it is today. The launch party for Jonathan’s book, What Remains: Everyday Encounters with the Socialist Past in Germany in early November will be a great opportunity to celebrate and thank him for all the energy and care he has put into our program and our community, but I also want to take this moment to express our gratitude for his generosity and for creating a space to combine rigorous academic inquiry with a foundational commitment to working responsibly towards a more ethical and just world – something we deeply need in these challenging times. Thank you, Jonathan!
My best wishes for a great semester and I look forward to working with all of you.
Alexandra Délano
Chair, Global Studies
delanoa@newschool.edu