Central Administration and Coordination

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael Bollig
• Subject Area: Social and Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 165405448

The success of the research unit depends upon its capacity to organise and conduct interdisciplinary work successfully. Coordination for the DFG research unit (FOR 1501) is thus centrally organised to ensure effective coordination and transparent management for the scientific projects and the group as a whole. The coordination unit is directed by the speaker, Professor Becker, and deputy speaker, former speaker Professor Bollig; it is made up of a lead coordinator and a project database manager, intermittently supported by student assistants, as required. The coordination unit is overseen by the research unit committee, composed of all project leaders, which is requested to provide general guidance and regular input. Main responsibilities include (1) representation of the research unit towards the DFG, academia, partners and the general public; (2) coordination of research and various shared activities, such as meetings, workshops and conferences; (3) coordination of reporting requirements and oversight of central publications; (4) project data management (project database) and administration of the research group’s website; (5) communication, information distribution, and public affairs / public awareness efforts; (6) general support for project leaders and staff including visiting researchers (vehicles, MOUs with partner organizations, rental of facilities, research permits, etc.); (7) managing the allocation of central funds and instrumentation; and (8) general oversight of planning and implementation of research and over administration and finance.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 1501: Resilience, Collapse and Reorganisation in Social-Ecological Systems of East- and South Africa's Savannahs
• Participating Person: Dr. Werner Schuck