The Centre for Himalayan Studies (a CNRS research unit) hosts students who are enrolled at the doctoral school Milieux, cultures et sociétés du passé et du présent of the University Paris Nanterre. Every year, CEH offers a fieldwork/travel grant to a student in anthropology at Master’s level for them to carry out research in the Himalayan cultural area (Nepal, India, China). Since the current health context does not allow travel outside Europe, students residing outside Paris or in another European country are offered funding (up to a maximum of €1,500) to enable them to stay in the Paris region (possibility of accommodation, for example, at the Maison des chercheurs on Campus Condorcet in Aubervilliers) to meet CEH researchers and to carry out documentary research – CEH’s document collection (societies and environments) is the largest Himalayan collection in the world.
Students are encouraged to discuss a choice of topic beforehand with CEH researchers. Preference is given to topics that are relevant to CEH’s current research areas (see below). Should the application be selected, these discussions can of course be pursued to hone the student’s choice of topic. After writing their thesis, the student will write a brief report and be called upon to present their work to CEH members.
Suggested topics :
Norms and practices in the choice of matrimonial spouses (in rural and/or urban areas)
Territories and networks in a Himalayan locality : perceptions and practices
"Missionaries’ ethnographies", missionaries’ archives in the Himalayas and its margins
Shamanisms, orality and modes of representation
Role of the courts in disputes concerning natural resource management or animal protection in South Asia
Questions of ritual anthropology in relation to Himalayan or Tibetan lands
Anthropology of Buddhism : (optional) religious specialists ; specialists, laypersons and their relationship ; institutions ; ritual life
Museology, museography and heritage
Anthropology of the city (Kathmandu, Leh)
Involvement of Khumbu’s Buddhist monasteries in resource management, local governance and the tourist sector
Life stories of Tamang and Rai porters in Solu : whether to work in the Gulf countries or in the tourist sector in Khumbu ?
Ethnography of the peoples of the Sino-Tibetan margins
The return of elected officials : current changes in local governance in Nepal
Northeast India / Nepalese Terai : (choose one) land clearing, fairs and markets.
Candidates should submit a 2–3-page project about their scientific objectives by the end of May 2021, and should include some practical indications : place(s) where the documentary research is to be carried out (documentation centres, archives...), period in the year and duration, and estimated budget. All applications should be sent to :
Nicolas Sihlé : nicolas.sihle@cnrs.fr
Philippe Ramirez : philippe.ramirez@cnrs.fr