From September 29 to October 1, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) hosted the ERUA Young Researchers Days, bringing together doctoral researchers from ERUA partner universities for three days of learning, collaboration and exchange.
Held as part of MRU’s Science and Innovation Week, the programme focused on practical skills relevant to researchers, including grant writing and funding strategies, scientific communication and dissemination, and academic writing.
The first day focused on grant writing and funding strategies, led by Prof. Dr. Birutė Mockevičienė, Professor of Management at Mykolas Romeris University. The session was followed by a Writing Retreat.
On the second day, participants took part in a session on scientific communication and dissemination, led by science communicator and journalist Goda Raibytė-Aleksa. The programme continued with another Writing Retreat session, giving doctoral researchers dedicated time to work on their academic texts, discuss challenges related to academic writing, and exchange practical approaches.
The Writing Retreat sessions brought together researchers from several ERUA universities, including Prof. Habil. Dr. Irena Vassileva from New Bulgarian University, Prof. Dr. Franziska Liebetanz, Head of the Center for Teaching and Learning at European University Viadrina, Prof. Dr. Jolanta Pivorienė from Mykolas Romeris University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raminta Bardauskienė from Mykolas Romeris University.
The Writing Retreat is part of the ERUA Interuniversity Educational Innovations (PIE) project, which aims to strengthen the academic writing skills of doctoral and young researchers.
The Young Researchers Days concluded on October 1 with a Project Pitch Competition held as part of the STICS 2026 conference at MRU. Five projects developed during the first two days of the programme were presented to a three-member jury. The programme concluded with an award ceremony, where the jury announced the winning project.
The ERUA Young Researchers Days at MRU brought doctoral researchers from different European universities together to strengthen practical research skills, exchange experiences and build connections that can support future international collaboration.
The ERUA Writing Retreat initiative will continue, with the next project meeting planned to take place at New Bulgarian University in spring 2027.
