#MWSvernetzt: Insights into a fellowship at MWF Delhi
The MWS Networking Fellowships enable MWS employees to get to know other locations of the foundation during a stay lasting several weeks. In the series ‘#MWSvernetzt’, fellows talk about their experiences. In this episode, Ulrike Wessollek from the German Historical Institute in London reports on her experiences at the Max Weber Forum in Delhi.
When the opportunity of networking fellowships was extended to non-academic staff, I did jump at the chance and applied for a stay to work with my colleagues at Max Weber Forum Delhi (MWF Delhi), India.

First, because there has been a longstanding relationship between the GHI London and MWF Delhi and we still have several joint programmes to administer. Second, I wanted to get a better understanding of the difficulties faced by admin, scholars and visitors within our India Research Programme. My time spent in the MWF Delhi office was priceless.
The nuances, dynamics, different setups, cultural differences can only be understood and appreciated if experienced.
My colleagues on both sides (at GHIL and MWF Delhi) kindly made it possible for me to have the time for meetings and discussions, with my normal daily workload either covered, or on hold.
During the time I spent in Delhi, we worked together on award letters to joint fellows; we looked at how workflows are organised internally and discussed filing structures. I had meetings organised to discuss event preparation and remuneration; we discussed procurement procedures and the way these documents are passed on for payment. Apart from looking at different reimbursement forms and streamlining those, we also checked our month-end and specifically year-end checklists and preparations. But, more importantly, we did not only share tips and tricks but lunch and laughter. I learned about challenges like pollution faced every day. Gratitude cannot be expressed enough for the hosts’ willingness to accommodate me within their busy schedules.
I found myself full of ideas and suggestions for our own organisation following my stay and discussions; and believe the networking fellowships are also a fantastic way of MWS showing appreciation to ‘the people in the background’.
We work tirelessly to ensure the research can continue seamlessly and across borders.
My stay in India has not only given me an exaggerated appreciation of the world we live in, but it also provided a calm and reflective take on things. Things cannot be rushed. My hectic self, had calmed down and let India in. It is overwhelming and the divides are so much more visible. It is also a country with outrageously beautiful buildings on every street corner to adore, (if you ignore the honking and pollution).
OpenEdition schlägt Ihnen vor, diesen Beitrag wie folgt zu zitieren:
Max Weber Stiftung (9. März 2026). #MWSvernetzt: Insights into a fellowship at MWF Delhi. [gab_log] Geisteswissenschaft als Beruf. Abgerufen am 16. April 2026 von https://doi.org/10.58079/15ua6

