University of Kassel and Fulda University of Applied Sciences launch joint doctoral program on social human rights

Right to work, right to education, right to health: since 1966, the UN has enshrined social human rights in an international pact. But even in many European countries, these human rights are not easy to enforce. A joint doctoral program "Social Human Rights" of the University of Kassel and the University of Applied Sciences Fulda is now researching their framework and implementation. Since October 1, 2016, the two universities have been awarding a total of ten doctoral scholarships for a period of three years within the Research Network for Social Law and Social Policy (FOSS). The focus is on questions of the genesis and implementation of social human rights, justification and mediation, internationalization and universalization.

Within this thematic framework, scholarship holders are to be guaranteed high-quality doctoral training. Of central importance is the interdisciplinary orientation of the college, in which scholars of law, political science, philosophy, sociology and economics cooperate. Six professors from different disciplines from each of the two participating universities supervise the doctoral studies of the fellows.

Dr. Ute Clement, Vice President of the University of Kassel and responsible for the promotion of young researchers, explains: "I am pleased that we and the University of Fulda can offer young scientists the opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research within a wide range of subjects and in exchange with students from another university. It is an expression of the very good cooperation with Fulda University of Applied Sciences and proof of the importance of promoting young researchers at the University of Kassel."

"The new doctoral college for social human rights is another important building block in the cooperation between our two universities, which excellently complements our previous joint teaching and research activities. The new doctoral opportunities in cooperation with the University of Kassel further our efforts in recent years to significantly strengthen the area of applied research," adds Prof. Dr. Karim Khakzar, President of Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

The total budget for the doctoral college is 580,000 euros. From 2016 to 2018, the Hessian Ministry of Science and Culture (HMWK) is funding the college with 408,000 euros through the innovation and structural development budget. This sum includes funding for six fellowships (three fellowships at each university) and a coordinating position. The funds are allocated roughly proportionally to the University of Kassel and the University of Applied Sciences Fulda. The remainder is the two universities' own funds, from which two scholarships each will be funded.

Contact:

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
www.uni-kassel.de