Workshop on Biographical Studies for Young Scholars. The days when historical biographies had been reserved for life pictures of “great men” and – to a lesser degree – “great women” have long passed. Since then, many outstanding studies have demonstrated the enormous potential of either individual or group biographies, or biographical approach for historical research.
Biographical approach can provide insight into the way people thought and felt in the past, make us aware of the complexity of political and personal decisions and also of the scope for action of individuals in historical situations. It has a special place in the Jewish studies, since it allows to research and analyse complex identity choices. Similar processes also affect other ethnic and/or religious. However, it is also useful to scholars dealing with migration studies, social history and history of ideas.
In order to assist young scholars with biographical research projects and to provide them with a friendly space to discuss research questions and problems, the POLIN Museum invites early career scholars and especially PhD students to participate in a one-day workshop on 30 November 2019 in Warsaw. The workshop precedes the conference “Biographies and Politics. The Involvement of Jews and People of Jewish Origin in Leftist Movements in 19th and 20th Century Poland” (1-2 December 2019), jointly organized by the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Aleksander Brückner Center for Polish Studies, the Center for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University of Oxford and the UCL. The participants of the workshop are expected to also attend the conference.