22 – 26 April 2026 | New Bulgarian University, Sofia
New Bulgarian University invites students, researchers, educators, and professionals from across disciplines to participate in the Tracing Shakespeare Spring School, an innovative blended spring school exploring Shakespeare as a living cultural practice in contemporary society.
Where is Shakespeare today? In the library? On the stage? In the classroom?
The Tracing Shakespeare Spring School at NBU aims to trace these points of contact and connect them into a shared understanding of what Shakespeare is here and now. Participants will include students, teachers, psychologists, special educators, speech therapists, university students, professors, and researchers, actors, theatre directors, theatre managers.
Rather than treating Shakespeare as a static literary canon, the school approaches his work as a living cultural practice shaped by education, theatre, psychology, therapy, and cultural management.
The Spring School is designed as a one-week onsite spring school with complementary online components. Academic staff from multiple ERUA partner universities will contribute through guest lectures and co-teaching, guaranteeing substantial inter-university involvement in both planning and delivery.
The school adopts a student-centered, practice-based pedagogy combining lectures, workshops, and interdisciplinary group work. Participants actively explore how Shakespeare functions in classrooms, inclusive education, therapeutic contexts, and contemporary theatre practice. This approach promotes interdisciplinary translation – the ability to move ideas, methods, and values between academic research and applied professional contexts.
Who Can Apply
We are looking for 15 Bachelor, Master, and PhD students, from the fields of humanities and arts, who’s command of English exceeds B2 level. We also encourage participants from different academic and professional backgrounds to apply.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for the Spring School, please send a motivation letter no latter than the 28th of February 2026 to assistant professor Georgi Niagolov – gniagolov@nbu.bg
Learning Outcomes and Credits
Participants will:
- Explore Shakespeare across education, theatre, therapy, and inclusive practices;
- Develop interdisciplinary analytical and collaborative skills;
- Strengthen intercultural communication and teamwork competences;
- Gain insight into diverse academic and professional pathways.
Upon successful completion, participants may receive 3 ECTS credits, based on attendance, active participation, and a final project.
Thematic Focus
The spring school is closely aligned with the following ERUA thematic areas:
- Arts and Edges
- Interculturality and Multilingualism
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 28 February 2026
- Notification of acceptance: by 10 March 2026
- Programme finalization: by 31 March 2026
- Spring School dates: 22 – 26 April 2026
