Faculty Resources

The strength of the West European Studies program at the University of Washington is based upon the expertise and commitment of our faculty.  The Center for West European Studies fosters professional development through sponsoring academic conferences and providing funding for courses, travel, and research to faculty members at the University of Washington and other regional institutions.

Colloquia and Conferences

The CWES Politics and Society Colloquium and the Culture Colloquium Committee organize over two dozen events annually, including individual lectures, thematic speakers series, and small conferences.  The Center also provides funding for at least one major international conference per year.

Curriculum Development

One of the top priorities of our Center for West European Studies is to encourage the development of new European Studies courses on the UW campus. Up to four Course Development Grants (CDGs) will be awarded this spring to UW faculty for use during the summer of 2009; grants will consist of one-half month of UW summer salary. Proposal guidelines are below and submissions are due May 11.

We will consider proposals for courses within any department or school of the University of Washington at either the undergraduate or graduate level. However, preference will be given to professional school courses and to interdisciplinary courses suitable for inclusion within the European Studies program. Proposals for courses which will clearly fill a disciplinary gap in other programs will also be considered. Faculty awarded a Course Development Grant this spring will be required to submit a completed course syllabus to the CWES office by July 31, 2009. The syllabus should be accompanied by a letter or e-mail from the relevant department chair stating that the course will be offered by the department no later than spring quarter 2011.

To apply for a Course Development Grant, submit a course prospectus (one to two pages), a curriculum vitae and a cover letter (explaining why the course should be deemed important and when the course would probably be given for the first time) by May 11, 2009 to:

Prof. Steve Pfaff
Center for West European Studies
Box 353650
University of Washington

Additional questions can be addressed to the Center for West European Studies at 206-543-1675. 

Travel & Research Funding

The Center provides grants to UW faculty for travel to attend conferences and conduct research both in the United States and abroad.  Our Regional Faculty Travel Fund supports faculty members from Northwest universities or colleges outside the Seattle area interested in attending CWES events or carrying out research at the UW.