Research project P4S/251/RESIST (Research action P4S)
This project offers network financing to support the further development of the Belgian Network of Resistance History (https://www.cegesoma.be/en/network-resistance-history), which currently brings together ca. 25 Belgian academics, including scientific staff from the State Archives and scholars from various Belgian universities. With dedicated network funding, we aim to:
(1) Reinforce an international Resistance History Network, potentially laying the groundwork for a European project consortium;
(2) Organize (at least) one annual international scholarly network conference. This should showcase recent Belgian research, highlight key academic debates, feature international keynote speakers, and possibly award a prize for the best recent master’s thesis on resistance;
(3) Strengthen data and contributions to the ‘Resistance in Belgium’ database (https://data.arch.be/?lang=nl) by integrating new data, enabling innovative research and teaching tools (e.g., interactive maps), and linking to thematic content on the platform www.belgiumwwii.be;
(4) Support the publication of at least two peer-reviewed articles by network members in leading academic journals, preferably based on the National Resistance Database;
(5) Coordinate and communicate the existing or future public outreach initiatives of network members.
Over a period of two years, the part-time (50%) collaborator will support the management of the network’s operations, oversee the implementation of activities, implement data control, interactive database tool development, and a research model for the National Resistance Database, and facilitate outreach. Operational funding will primarily support the organization of international conferences, support of the national database on the resistance, public outreach efforts, and copy-editing of English-language publications by network members.
Expected outcomes by the end of the funding period include:
- At least two scholarly publications submitted for peer review;
- (At least) one international conference;
- New data and an outline for new outreach functionalities on the ‘Resistance in Belgium’ database;
- An outline for a future European research consortium;
- An expanded ‘Resistance’ section on BelgiumWWII.be;
- Multiple public outreach initiatives;
- Increased visibility and social media engagement for the Network.
This initiative aligns closely with the mission of the Study Centre for War and Contemporary Society within the State Archives in Belgium. The internationalization of the Resistance History Network is expected to contribute to the broader international networking efforts of OD4/CegeSoma and the State Archives as a whole.
