OPEN CALL
Transcultural Student Research Group 2021
The Impacts of the BRI on Europe: The Case of Poland and Germany in cooperation with The Boym Institute
Looking for a topic for your Humboldt, Elinor Ostrom, Bachelor or Master Thesis?
Interested in thinking about “The Impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative in Europe”?
Keen on cooperation with international peers?
Motivated to become part of the LEIZ’ project “Transcultural Caravan” and to join an interdisciplinary research group?
Can’t wait to publish your first chapter in a scientific book?
If you answered at least two of these questions with “yes”, we look forward to receiving your application! For further information on the application process, please see the corresponding section in this document.
Transcultural Student Research Group | TSRG 2021
The Impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative on Europe: The Case of Poland and Germany
As an ambitious project, the Belt and Road Initiative creates global value chains in a network that connects Europe, Asia, and Africa and that is characterised by diversity in languages, traditions, values, as well as political, social, and economic systems and settings. As one of the most fascinating and risky developments driving the formation of a global society, this initiative represents a global economic, political, social, and cultural experiment with potentially beneficial but also potentially disruptive consequences for all involved.
Against this background, it is important to contribute to the understanding of what the New Silk Road can mean in economic, political, leadership and cultural terms for the European countries involved. This analysis should reveal the practical consequences of the Belt and Road Initiative for Europe in the case of Poland and Germany, as well as their respective social effects.
The following topics are possible for the sub-research projects:
- Economic impacts: international economy, business, logistic & transportation, innovation & technology, the impacts of COVID-19, international trade and investment, global value chains, value creation networks.
- Socio-cultural impacts: transculturality, gender equality, arts, academia, media & communication, civil society organizations.
- Political impacts: geopolitical impacts, bilateral relations vs. multilateral relations, 17+1, EU policy, para-diplomacy.
- Leadership: relational leadership, transcultural leadership, cross-sectoral leadership, organization and management culture.
Timeframe

Starting in May, all TSRG 2021 participants will conceptually develop specific research questions that correlate both with their disciplinary background and with the TSRG 2021 overall research topic, together with experts at LEIZ and The Michał Boym Institute for Asian and Global Studies, as well as individual supervisors (ZU professors). Subsequently, the students will work on these questions together with students from Poland in an academic co-authoring process.
Accordingly, the group consists of several such pairs, who apply the common questions to their respective case studies and disciplines and exchange on their experiences and findings within the group. The case study research includes interviews and field research realized in the pairs and in cooperation with local universities and cooperation partners.
First results of the studies may be presented during the Transcultural Winter School 2021. After having submitted their individual Humboldt, Elinor Ostrom, Bachelor or Master theses, a joint book from all involved students will be published in the “Transcultural Management Series” at Metropolis Publisher.
Application
Interested Polish students from all study programs are welcome and can apply for the TRSG until April 12,2021. To apply for the TRSG 2021, please send an email with your CV and Cover Letter to the Head of the Michał Boym Institute for Asian and Global Studies Patrycja Pendrakowska (ppendrakowska@instytutboyma.org). Please take into consideration that for working on this research project you should reserve around 10 hours per week and be able to take part in research trips to Germany and Poland. We welcome Bachelor and Master students, as well as PhD Candidates.
Team

Jessica Geraldo Schwengber
Research fellow at “Transcultural Competences“ Research Group, Project Manager of the Transcultural Caravan
Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin | LEIZ
Phone +49 7541 6009 2265
Fax +49 7541 6009 1299
jessica.schwengber@zu.de

Dr Julika Baumann Montecinos
Head of Research Group “Transcultural Competences”, Project Manager of the Transcultural Caravan
Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin | LEIZ
Phone +49 7541 6009 2264
Fax +49 7541 6009 1299
julika.montecinos@zu.de

Prof Dr Josef Wieland, Vice President (Research)
Director Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin | LEIZ
Chair of Institutional Economics, Organisational Governance, Integrity Management and Transcultural Leadership
Phone +49 7541 6009 2261
Fax +49 7541 6009 1299
josef.wieland@zu.de

Katharina Hahn
Project coordinator
k.hahn@zeppelin-university.net

Patrycja Pendrakowska
Head of the Boym Institute
ppendrakowska@instytutboyma.org

Paweł Behrendt
Member of the Board at the Boym Institute
pbehrendt@instytutboyma.org
For further information:
www.zu.de/leiz
www.transcultural-caravan.org
czytaj więcej
Navigating tomorrow – the significance of Australia’s navy build-up
Australia has recently announced a plan to build the largest fleet since World War II. This move constitutes another step in Canberra's shift of defence strategy and commitment to adapt to the changing security environment.
Jakub WitczakIndonesia – between religion and democracy
Indonesia is the largest Muslim democracy in the world. Approximately 88% of the population in Indonesia declares Islamic religion, but in spite of this significant dominance, Indonesia is not a religious state.
Anna GrzywaczOn conflict in the Middle East: Malik Dahlan’s Letter to President Isaac Herzog
This letter has been included into our Voices From Asia series, as we consider it a significant addition to the ongoing discussion surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Malik DahlanTaiwanese Perceptions of Russia’s Ukraine war
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Taiwanese government remained committed to its position of condemnation for Russia, humanitarian support for Ukraine, and deep appreciation and admiration for the Ukrainian people’s will to defy power, resist aggression, and defend their nation.
Kuan Ting ChenTemples, Hackers, and Leaks: The Thai-Cambodian Crisis in the Age of Information Warfare
Thailand and Cambodia are caught up in a heated border dispute over an ancient temple that dates back to the 11th century. This isn’t just about land — it’s about the heritage of colonialism, national pride, and tensions between two powerful political dynasties.
Andżelika SerwatkaThe North Korean nuclear dismantlement and the management of its nuclear wastes
Evidence suggests that North Korea stores its high-level nuclear waste (HLW) in liquid form in tanks on the same site where it is made, and has not invested in infrastructure to reduce, dentrify, or vitrify this waste. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, one of many aspects of the North Korean nuclear waste problem.
Nicolas LeviAre Polish Universities Really Victims of a Chinese Influence Campaign?
The Chinese Influence Campaign can allegedly play a dangerous role at certain Central European universities, as stated in the article ‘Countering China’s Influence Campaigns at European Universities’, (...) However, the text does ignore Poland, the country with the largest number of universities and students in the region. And we argue, the situation is much more complex.
Patrycja PendrakowskaBook review: “Unveiling the North Korean economy”
Book review of "Unveiling the North Korean economy", written by Kim Byung-yeon and published by Cambridge University Press in 2016.B. Tauris in 2017.
Nicolas LeviPaweł Behrendt for 9DASHLINE: The South China Sea – from colonialism to the Cold War
We would like to inform, that 9DASHLINE has published article of Paweł Behrendt - the Boym Institute Analyst, in which he wrote about history of the South China Sea dispute over the 20th century.
Paweł BehrendtPaths to Asia: Conversations that Inspire
Wojciech Jaworski is the founder of Huqiao Games, a company specializing in bringing PC games to the Chinese market. A graduate of Jagiellonian University and participant in the “Chinese Bridge” program, he is currently working on a new, as yet unannounced project in the gamedev/tech industry.
Patrycja PendrakowskaAiluna Shamurzaeva – Research Fellow at the Boym Institute
Her research focuses on political economy, migration studies, and international trade. Ailuna, we are more than happy to welcome you to the team!
Coronavirus and climate policies: long-term consequences of short-term initiatives
As large parts of the world are gradually becoming habituated to living in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, global attention has turned to restarting the economy. One of the most consequential impacts of these efforts will be that on our climate policies and environmental conditions.
Dawid JuraszekPatrycja Pendrakowska and Paweł Behrendt on navigating Sino-Polish relations
We are proud to annouce, that Patrycja Pendrakowska and Paweł Behrendt made a contribution to the latest project of the Baltic Security Foundation, The Jamestown Foundation and the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation.
Peace and development as the call of our day again face severe challenges on a global scale, with more prominent instability, uncertainty and complexity
Yiwei WangWe would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.
Patrycja PendrakowskaForeign Direct Investment in Vietnam
Thanks to continuous economic development, Vietnam attracts a record number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The catalyst for such a strong growth of FDI in Vietnam is not only the ongoing trade war between the US and China, but also new international agreements.
Jakub KrólczykWe would like to inform, that Financial Intelligence has published interview for Balkan Development Support with Patrycja Pendrakowska.
Online Course: “Conflict Resolution and Democracy”
The course will be taught via interactive workshops, employing the Adam Institute’s signature “Betzavta – the Adam Institute’s Facilitation Method“, taught by its creator, Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman. The award-winning “Betzavta” method is rooted in an empirical approach to civic education, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
The unification of the two Koreas: an ASEAN perspective
The aim of the paper is to discuss the role of the ASEAN as a critical component of the solution to the Korean unification. The Korean Unification refers to the potential reunification of both Koreas into a single sovereign Korean state led by the leadership of the two Koreas.
Nicolas LeviOnline Course: “Conflict Resolution and Democracy”
The course will be taught via interactive workshops, employing the Adam Institute’s signature “Betzavta – the Adam Institute’s Facilitation Method“, taught by its creator, Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman. The award-winning “Betzavta” method is rooted in an empirical approach to civic education, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
A letter from the Adam Institute in Jerusalem
This letter is part of our series on the Voices from Asia. We share our platform with Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman who serves as the Executive Director at the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.
Uki Maroshek-KlarmanThe Dasgupta Review on Women and the Environmental Crisis
Commissioned in 2019 by the British government and published in February 2021, The Dasgupta Review has been likened to the 2006 Stern Review. Where the latter brought to widespread attention the many failings of the world economy in the face of global warming, the former makes similar points as regards biodiversity – and identifies the unique challenges faced by women.
Dawid Juraszek“May you be the mother of a thousand sons” – the status of women in Indian society
The 1950 Indian Constitution introduced the principle of equal opportunities for gender equality, which grants women and men the same rights in family life, political, social and economic life. So why is it that nearly forty per cent of girls aged 15-17 do not attend school, the custom of dowry giving is still cultivated and prenatal sex selection is still a huge social problem?
Magdalena RybczyńskaBook review: “North Korea’s Cities”
Book review of "North Korea’s Cities", written by Rainer Dormels and published byJimoondang Publishing Company in 2014.
Nicolas Levi