My quest for a sabbatical hangout has succeeded (have I mentioned rejection is inherent in this enterprise?). The Humboldt Foundation is going to fund six months of my hanging out at the Hertie School in Berlin--three months in 2024 and three months in 2025. The Hertie School is an international affairs graduate program and very strong in international security. What will I be doing there?
First, I will be pursuing the next big project: understanding the varying roles defense agencies play in democracies. I have already been to South Korea, quite recently. The next step will now be Germany. Obviously, being in Berlin will facilitate the German case as I will have much time to interview folks in their Minister of Defense, in their armed forces, journalists, and experts.
Second, the project involves case studies in other European countries. So, I will be able to travel to some other parts of Europe to do some of the work for this project. Which ones? Not sure yet.
Third, I will get engaged in the life of Hertie, so that I can learn what the students and profs in Europe are thinking about a variety of international security issues. Marina Henke, one of the very sharpest scholars on alliance politics and international security, is my host, so I hope to learn much from her about how folks are thinking about NATO, Ukraine-Russia, and other topics.
Fifth, deep into my career, I need a breath of fresh air, a change of pace, a bit of a shake up. Sabbaticals are good for that, but sabbaticals away from home are better at it.
Oh, and maybe there will be some time for tourism and skiing.
So, there will be the complications of getting a visa and finding an apartment, but overall, it is time for this senior scholar to do a happy dance:
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