UBIAS stands for “University-Based Institutes for Advanced Study”. Unlike traditional Institutes for Advanced Study, UBIAS are associated with or embedded within a university, and actively contribute to the academic culture and the scientific achievements of their home university. By offering various fellowship programs on different academic levels (junior and senior researchers), UBIAS institutes bring together outstanding researchers from different disciplines, nationalities and academic backgrounds, creating a productive environment for innovative research. These common characteristics have proved to be a fruitful basis for mutual exchange, although the individual institutes display a large variety of different concepts and academic pursuits. With their individual profiles, they answer to the specific needs and strengths of their affiliate university. While many institutes have traditionally concentrated on humanities and social sciences, an increasing number of institutes now incorporate theoretical and experimental sciences. 

For more information about the UBIAS: http://www.ubias.net/

The ZiF is Bielefeld University’s Institute for Advanced Study and fosters outstanding and innovative interdisciplinary research projects. Since its inception in 1968, the ZiF has been an independent research institution, open thematically and to scholars from all disciplines and all countries. In focussing on the support of promising research groups (in various formats), it is a prime venue for academic exchange, but also to bring scholars into discussion with artists, journalists and other public figures. It welcomes about 1.000 international guests per year and is able to offer on-site accomodation, catering and state-of-the-art facilities. While conferences, colloquia and lectures are regular formats, summer schools are considered an important feature of the ZiF’s annual schedule, too. They provide an environment even more conducive to intensive reflection and exchange, to developing and testing new ideas, while breathing the fresh air of nearby Teutoburg forest. The ZiF is pleased to join IIAS in hosting the second Intercontinental Academia within the UBIAS network and looks forward to welcoming its participants.