Fellowship in the Research Programme “Public Policy”
Focus: Policy-Making & Political Leadership
The Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) is a research and analysis institute established in 2013 and based in Berlin. MERICS conducts independent, practical and policy-oriented research on China. MERICS provides the public with insight into China through up-to-date research and communication. It informs decision-makers in politics, business and society and acts as a key contact for the media. MERICS is an initiative of Stiftung Mercator, a major private European foundation.
This research programme focuses on the procedural and interactional patterns of policy-making in China and on changes of the leadership structure over time. Of particular interest are those policy areas that the Chinese leadership has identified as key challenges: Party discipline, economic transformation, economic deregulation, judicial reform, and environmental, technological and social policy. The aim of the research work is to assess the processes, outcomes and potential of policy-making in China from various angles.
Public Policy|Policy-Making & Political Leadership
Authoritarian regimes are said to be incapable of learning. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has often proved this assumption to be wrong. It has repeatedly surprised observers with its ability to respond to novel challenges, risks or crises produced by rapid economic and social change. At the same time, China’s political system made very little progress in introducing broader political participation, pluralism and competition. Its leaders also resisted implementing structures for the effective control of political power.
This research programme focuses on the procedural and interactional patterns of policy-making in China and on changes of the leadership structure over time.
Of particular interest are those policy areas that the Chinese leadership has identified as key challenges: Party discipline, economic transformation, economic deregulation, judicial reform, and environmental, technological and social policy. The aim of the research work is to assess the processes, outcomes and potential of policy-making in China from various angles:
- What are the characteristics of policy-making in China?
- What substantial changes have there been under Xi Jinping’s influence since 2012?
- Who are the key players in various policy areas and what instruments do they use to achieve their aims and pursue their interests?
- How reliable and effective are the methods and instruments the national political leadership uses to put their policies into action?
- How much scope do Chinese citizens and non-governmental organisations possess to influence the policy-making process?
- To what extent is China’s political system able to adapt and correct its policies and to reform its institutions?
- What type of developments increase the risk of political destabilisation?
MERICS is looking for internationally outstanding scholars and experts:
- With exceptional expertise on Chinese policy-making
- Preferably for short-term fellowships (between two and three months), in well-justified special cases for long-term fellowships (between four and twelve months).
Application process:
- Flexible
- Applications may be submitted anytime
- A decision on the granting of the fellowship can be expected approximately four weeks after submission of the application
What to expect as a MERICS-fellow:
- Close cooperation with a professional research team
- Individual research adviser at MERICS
- Active participation in scientific publications
- Active involvement in events and workshops, both internal and external
- An outstanding research location and a high-class global research network
- Lively scientific exchange in an international environment
- Individual full-service support before and during the entire stay in Germany
Application
Send an application, if you have gained exceptional expertise on policy-making in China based on years of research and/or professional experience, and, if you are willing to share and deepen it in cooperation with MERICS. With your experience, you will contribute actively to the independent research work of one of the largest international research institutes for contemporary China.
Please send your application documents (#1: letter of motivation (2-3 pages) referring explicitly to the respective MERICS research programme; #2: Curriculum Vitae; #3: list of publications or list of equivalent analytical qualifications based on professional experience) to Marie Hoffmann: marie.hoffmann@merics.de.
You can learn more information about the application requirements in the MERICS Fellowship Programme Guidelines here (PDF).
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.