"Umwelt theory revisited" presentation at NASS X scheduled for June 30th

My presentation "Umwelt theory revisited - contemporary Uexküllian thought in 10 points" has been scheduled for presentation at the 10th conference of the Nordic Association for Semiotic Studies (Kaunas, Lithuania June 26th to 30th) on Friday June 29th at 9.00-9.30.

NfR evaluation of final Young Research Talents application

A few days ago I got the formal reply on my research application "Umwelt theory for our time", sent to Research Council of Norway´s Young Research Talents scheme. Overall grade was 5 (out of 7); with grades A+A+A+B+B and 5+5+6, including a 6 for Project leader.

Abstract for NASS X: "Umwelt theory revisited – contemporary Uexküllian thought in 10 points"

Today I have submitted my abstract "Umwelt theory revisited – contemporary Uexküllian thought in 10 points" to NASS X, held in conjunction with the 13th world congress of semiotics (Kaunas, Lithuania, June 26-30th 2017).

Umwelt theory revisited – contemporary Uexküllian thought in 10 points

Abstract

Key elaborations of Jakob von Uexküll´s (1864–1944) Umwelt theory can be summarised in 10 points:

1. Uexküllian phenomenology represents a unique phenomenological perspective.

2. The ontological niche of a being can be defined as the set of contrapuntal relations it takes part in. 

3. Not all Umwelten are species-specific. 

4. Not all Umwelten can be meaningfully studied in isolation.

5. Umwelten undergo Umwelt transitions.

6. In many cases, it makes sense to refer to the Umwelten of different life stages, or to acknowledge that species-specific developmental patterns determine the character of the Umwelt.

7. An Umwelt trajectory represents an aggregate, collective equivalent of Uexküll’s notion of the Umwelt-tunnel.

8. Umwelt mapping results in ontological maps.

9. The tripartite Umwelt model distinguishes between Umwelt objects as encountered, anticipated and conceptualized.

10. An Umwelt ethics rests heavily on fundamental features of the Umwelt theory. 

Reference

Maran, Timo, Morten Tønnessen, Kadri Tüür, Riin Magnus, Silver Rattasepp and Nelly Mäekivi (2016). Methodology of zoosemiotics: concepts, categorizations, models. In Maran, Tønnessen and Rattasepp (eds), Animal Umwelten in a changing world – Zoosemiotic perspectives (Tartu: Tartu University Press 2016), 29–50.

No "Young Research Talents" grant

A notification reads that candidates for "Young Research Talents" grants from the Research Council of Norway have now been invited. I have received no such invitation, and am therefore not considered for funding with my project "Umwelt theory for our time". This was my last chance to get a "Young Research Talents" grant, since I have turned 40.

UiB Post.Doc. application withdrawn

Since I have signed a contract with University of Stavanger for a permanent position as Associate professor of philosophy, I have now withdrawn my University of Bergen Post.Doc. application.

See also:

Post.Doc. application - UiB

No from SAMKUL

Today I was notified that my SAMKUL research application "Umwelt theory for our time" has been declined by the Research Council of Norway. The overall assessment grade was 5, though with 6 for "the project manager and project group"  and A for "Implementation plan and resource parameters" and "Dissemination and communication of results". 11 applications got funding.

357 applications for RCN´s Young Research Talents

The Research Council of Norway has received some 357 applications for this year´s Young Research Talents scheme (including my "Umwelt theory for our time"), a record.

"Umwelt theory for our time" - Young Research Talents, second attempt

Today I have submitted my research application "Umwelt theory for our time" for a second and final time to Research Council of Norway´s Young Research Talents scheme. 42 pp.

Post.Doc. application - UiB

Yesterday I applied for a Post.Doc. position (in philosophy of science) at University of Bergen, with the project "Umwelt theory for our time".

"Umwelt Theory For Our Time" application presented; expert feedback

Today I presented my application-in-process "Umwelt Theory For Our Time" for an expert panel organized by the University of Stavanger´s Research and Innovation Department. Half an hour was devoted to each application/idea, including feedback.

127 SAMKUL applications

According to Research Council of Norway, 127 applications were submitted to the SAMKUL grant scheme in February. This includes my application "Umwelt Theory For Our Time". About 100 mill. NOK will be allocated to successful applicants.

SAMKUL application "Umwelt Theory For Our Time" completed and submitted

Yesterday I completed and submitted an application for Research Council of Norway´s SAMKUL scheme (on the cultural conditions of societal development), "Umwelt Theory For Our Time" (a rework of my Young Research Talents application from last year).

Meeting on revised research application; registration for PRE-FRIPRO

Today I met with an advisor in the research department of UiS to discuss a revision of my "Umwelt theory for our time" research application. I will apply for a second - and last (I am turning 40) time this Spring within the scheme "Unge forskertalenter" (Young research talents) at Research Council of Norway. Also, I have registered for the university´s PRE-FRIPRO program this year too - but will only take part in the last workshop, April 14th, where I will present my revised application for a (critical) panel.

FRIPRO application "Umwelt Theory For Our Time" completed and submitted

Today I have finished the research application "Umwelt Theory For Our Time" - a 10-page project description; 30-something pages altogether with electronic application and attachments - for Research Council of Norway´s Young Research Talents scheme (FRIPRO, independent research). 11 good colleagues are involved either as Visiting researchers or as members of the prospective project´s Reference Group (and Timo Maran is one of the core researchers).

See also previous posts on FRIPRO and on "Umwelt Theory For Our Time".

Meeting on application

Today I met with my Head of department to discuss my FRIPRO research application, "Umwelt Theory For Our Time".

Formal budget for "Umwelt Theory For Our Time" composed

Earlier this week, on Monday, I met with an economist at University of Stavanger to compose a formal budget for my research application "Umwelt Theory For Our Time" (see previous posts),  for the FRIPRO grant scheme, based on a draft I had made. We so did.

RCN/Ministry of Education does not prioritise Young Research Talents this year

Today I have come to learn that the Research Council of Norway´s FRIPRO program (independent projects) (see previous posts) will not prioritise its Young Research Talents scheme (Unge forskertalenter) as high as it has done the last couple of years. The so-called "Fellesløftet" [joint effort], funded by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with higher education institutions, has this year been earmarked for a new Excellence in research (Toppforsk) scheme for older researchers (to qualify, one must have defended a PhD at least 6 years ago - I defended mine four years ago). The likelihood of getting funds for a Young Research Talents application will therefore be significantly lower than anticipated (closer to 10% than 20%).

This is a pity, given the effort UiS has made with its PRE-FRIPRO course program.

I will apply for funds for the project "Umwelt Theory For Our Time".

Research application plans presented, feedback received at PRE-FRIPRO workshop

On March 18th I presented my research application in process “Umwelt theory for our time” at a PRE-FRIPRO (cf. previous posts) workshop at University of Stavanger. I got feedback from Merete Vadla Madland (the national IOR Centre of Norway), Dag Oppen Berntsen (Research Council of Norway) and others.

"Umwelt Theory For Our Time" FRIPRO application drafted

After hours on March 20th I finished a research application draft aimed at the Norwegian FRIPRO (independent projects) grant scheme. The application draft (10 pp.), or rather the project, is titled "Umwelt Theory For Our Time". I finished a draft by this date in an attempt to have it selected as one of three application drafts that are to be reviewed at a PRE-FRIPRO workshop at University of Stavanger in mid-April.

Meeting on FRIPRO

On February 4th I had a meeting with a consultant in the University of Stavanger´s Research and Innovation Department to discuss the Research Council of Norway´s FRIPRO program (independent projects). I intend to apply this May, with the project "Umwelt theory for our time".