General Criteria for Reviews
The Wissenschaftskolleg’s objective is to invite active and outstanding researchers from all disciplines and across the world, at whatever stage in their careers, and thereby assemble a stimulating cohort that is greater than the sum of its individual constituents.
In choosing these Fellows, the selection committees rely on your professional expertise. In order that your review be as useful as possible to us, we would ask that you take into consideration the following criteria:
- previous scholarly achievements
- in the case of younger scholars, their potential as revealed in their publications
- the quality of their project proposal
For both a candidate’s past achievements and project proposal, the following aspects are of particular importance:
- Originality and Innovativeness: Is the candidate breaking new ground? Is there courage displayed to take creative new approaches that are not only unconventional but even risky? Does the project suggest new theses or theoretical approaches that promise to serve as an impulse for further development in the field and even beyond its disciplinary boundaries?
- Stimulus Potential: Do the publications and curriculum vitae or other attributes of the candidate suggest a special ability to engage in discussion regarding their own field as well as interdisciplinary discourse? Does the candidate address a topic in the project that is important not only for his or her own area of expertise but promises to be stimulating for other Fellows?
Whenever possible, please cast a clear vote for or against the funding of a certain candidate. Both the length and form that your review takes is up to you. Typically a review is no longer than three pages and no less than one page. Unavoidable delays in a candidate’s scholarly career should be taken into reasonable account so as to promote equal opportunity and hence diversity.