dr hab. Karolina Ćwiek-Rogalska For years: 2022–2027 Project number: 101041946
ERC Starting Grant
Ghosts are often presented as the spirits of the dead haunting the living. But what if we understood them as material remains, bringing to light overlooked past and enabling us to grasp the experience of the otherness? We propose such an approach in research on displacement, on territories previously inhabited by one culture but after a forced migration resettled by another one.
The displacement comprises expulsion and resettlement. While the former is well-researched, much of the latter remains understudied: especially the settlers’ experiences with things previous inhabitants had left behind. Things act as “ghosts” of previous culture and force settlers to interact with the “spectral” presence of the expellees. Hence, we will operationalize the category of “post-displacement” as a form of afterlife, based on archival records and fieldwork, in 3 regions in Slavic Central Europe where the traces of previous German cultures remained visible, regardless of the efforts to remove them. With hauntology as the proposed research framework and introduction of the category of recycling, we will establish a novel approach in research on the post-displacement regions. Hauntology, a spectral theory of being, shows how the present is pervaded by the past and enables us to engage with unresolved questions, becoming a tool to investigate unexplained phenomena. Recycling is a mechanism of reintroducing the things that were left by expellees into the life of the settlers. Our approach will bring fresh insights into everyday life in the post-displacement regions by providing a more nuanced and coherent understanding of forced migration processes and their continuous reinterpretations in different political and ideological regimes. In understanding what post-displacement things are and the attitude of people towards them, the project presents a showcase study of what we can learn about the emergence of new cultures from the experiences of Central Europe.
We’re excited to share that our PI, Karolina Ćwiek-Rogalska, was recently featured as an expert voice in de Volkskrant, one of the leading newspapers in the Netherlands. In a special report marking 80 years since the westward shift of Poland’s borders, Karolina spoke to Arnout le Clercq about the spectral dimensions of post-displacement—how echoes of loss, memory, and the past continue to shape the present.
She reflected on how the end of World War II not only redrew borders but also uprooted millions of lives. In the article, she explained how not only authorities, but also people subjected to these changes, responded to forced migration.
The article also highlights our ongoing research into the legacies of post-displacement in Central Europe—looking at how history haunts space, material culture, and community life today.
The Institute of Slavic Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences (ISS PAS) is inviting expressions of interest from postdoctoral researchers interested in applying for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA PF) under the Horizon Europe program, with ISS PAS as their host institution.
We welcome applications from ambitious and talented scholars from around the world who are keen to carry out innovative research in a vibrant and interdisciplinary academic environment in the heart of Warsaw, Poland.
We invite applications for a postdoctoral position focusing on the history of Central Europe after World War II, with an emphasis on forced migrations, landscape anthropology, and material culture studies.
The successful candidate will be mentored by dr hab. Karolina Ćwiek-Rogalska, a cultural anthropologist and ethnologist at the Institute of Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences. Dr hab. Karolina Ćwiek-Rogalska leads the ERC Starting Grant project Spectral Recycling (2022–2027), which investigates the experiences of post-war settlers in Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia, particularly their interactions with material remnants left by previous German inhabitants. The project employs a hauntological approach to explore how these ghosts of the past continue to influence contemporary cultural landscapes
About the Institute
ISS PAS is one of the leading research centers in Central and Eastern Europe, with over 70 years of academic excellence. Our interdisciplinary work focuses on the languages, cultures, histories, literatures, societies, and identities of Slavic and neighboring regions. We are proud holders of the HR Excellence in Research award, reflecting our commitment to providing a supportive, transparent, and inclusive research environment.
What We Offer
Comprehensive support in preparing and submitting your MSCA PF application, including internal review and mentoring
A stimulating research environment with access to a multidisciplinary team of experts
Full access to ISS PAS’s infrastructure, library, and academic resources
Opportunities for publication, international conference participation, and career development
Office space and administrative support during the fellowship
Assistance with relocation and settling in Warsaw
Who Can Apply
We are looking for researchers of any nationality who:
Hold a PhD at the time of the MSCA PF deadline (10 September 2025)
Have no more than 8 years of research experience since obtaining their PhD
Have not resided or carried out their main activity in Poland for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the call deadline
Propose a research project aligned with the thematic areas of ISS PAS
Deadline for expressions of interest at ISS PAS: 30 June 2025
MSCA PF application deadline (EU): 10 September 2025
Selected candidates will receive full institutional support in preparing their fellowship application.
How to Apply
Please submit the following documents in a single PDF file via email to horyzont@ispan.edu.pl with the subject line: “MSCA PF – Expression of Interest – [Your Name]”
Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
Short description of your proposed research project (max. 2 pages)
A brief statement explaining your motivation to join ISS PAS
The blog post was quest-written by Mariusz Fornagiel, PhD student at the Doctoral School in the Humanities of the Jagiellonian University. The text delves into the sensory experience of the Polish-Slovak border, highlighting the nuanced nature of the border as more than just a physical demarcation. Instead, it is portrayed as a space shaped by everyday practices and human interaction, which transcends its political significance. The border is depicted as historically invisible, blending seamlessly with the linguistic, visual, and auditory landscape that defines the region. However, shifts in political dynamics have brought about a heightened awareness of the border, marking it as a visible and regulated divide. Mariusz delves into how the border was perceived, felt, and given significance by the individuals residing in its proximity, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of the border experience.
Our collaboration with the Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald, Germany, is ongoing. Following last year’s working meeting at the museum, our researcher, Michal Korhel, returned recently to present the results of his latest work. In his presentation, Michal focused on the region of Pomerania, specifically addressing the theme of “German ghosts” said to haunt the inhabitants of Goleniów. He showcased various examples of the German cultural heritage preserved in the town and explored how local residents are engaging with and responding to this legacy today. The subsequent discussion offered a valuable opportunity to compare these experiences with those of other regions affected by the forced displacement of previous populations. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Pomeranian State Museum – and in particular to Dorota Makrutzki – for the kind invitation and support.
