Early-Career Researchers
Here you can find news and information about the series workshops for early-career researchers organized by the Research Support Group in Working Package 2 of the ERUA (2020-2023), as well as for the Early Career Researchers related activities of WP3: Structuring research-based clusters (2023-2027). We will publish information both on upcoming as well as on already past activities, opportunities and workshops.
The general aim of the workshops for early career researchers, which were held twice a year was “to present project ideas for collaborative and/or interdisciplinary research projects or projects that strengthen the links between the research profiles of the Alliance and receive feedback from experienced PIs and research development units.”
The overall objective of all ECR related activities in ERUA is to lay the groundwork for the development of the think tank in ERUA and early-career researchers should create the future core of the think tank on Social Sciences and Humanities in interplay with natural and technical sciences and drive the development of alternative indicators. In this light, the workshops did not necessarily focus on EU funding, which has traditionally focused on the natural and technical sciences.
The events are aimed at providing information, tools, opportunities and concrete examples to early-career researchers, facilitating exchange of experience between them and senior researchers and giving early-career researchers the opportunity to present their research focus and ideas for research collaboration and receive feedback and coaching from experienced researchers and research support staff.
The main target group are early-career researchers, so the initial focus is on research collaboration, as young researchers typically do not collaborate with each other, but with senior researchers.
Upcoming Events
Academic year 2025 - 2026
The International Researchers’ Day, an annual event aimed at fostering exchange, integration, and collaboration among international researchers from Paris 8 and the ERUA alliance, invites you to submit proposals. Created in 2023, this interdisciplinary event provides a space for scientific dialogue and networking with the wider ERUA research community. Participants will also discover support services for their academic careers, including the ERUA Research Support Network, which will present various national and European research funding opportunities for early-career researchers.
Following our European Alliance’s collective reflection, the theme of this new edition is Critical Edge(s), inviting participants to consider borders, margins, peripheries as sites of institutional construction, subjectivization, political experience, and inventive capacity. The notion of edge(s) designates a type of ‘non space’, an interstitial space for social, geographical, cultural, and intellectual margins, where contact with exteriority, alterity, and the material realities of peripheries collide to produce new perspectives. Thinking on and from the edge(s) means inhabiting a space that is both vulnerable and generative: a place where crises often manifest first, yet where creative practices, critical thought, and new forms of collective organization continually emerge.
In that spirit, we welcome proposals related to one or more of the following themes:
1 – Edge(s) and Borders: an exploration of the geographical and symbolic dimensions of borders, focusing on migration and exile, and the role of boundary universities in defending academic freedom.
2 – Edge(s) and Democracy: an opportunity to consider the margins as spaces for the formation of political and subjective identities, and for democratic resistance, or to consider the roles of borders in fostering authoritarianism and the erosion of social and civil rights.
3 – Edge(s) & Critical Thinking: in a context shaped by attacks on academic freedom and disciplines considered ‘marginal’ (such as Critical Theory, Gender Studies, and the Humanities in general), this axis will examine the precarious, and yet fundamental position of critical thinking within academia.
4 – Edge(s) and Creative/Experimental Innovation: the Edge(s) invite(s) creative and experimental practices shaped by proximity to geographical, social, cultural or technological borders.
Call for proposals:
- Interested participants are invited to submit an abstract of approximately 300 words and a brief biography to the following address: juan-pablo.yanez@univ-paris8.fr & iffet-piraye.yuce@univ-paris8.fr
- The deadline for submitting proposals is April 1, 2026, at midnight CET and the selection results will be communicated to authors on April 14, 2026
- If you are an ERUA researcher and would like to attend, please contact your local ERUA mobility agent at your university and the Paris 8 ERUA referent for this event: iffet-piraye.yuce@univ-paris8.fr and juan-pablo.yanez@univ-paris8.fr
- Hybrid event, with in-person attendance prioritized for selected presenters.
Academic year 2022 - 2023
The workshop aims to provide early-career researchers, primarily from the social sciences and humanities (SSH) and the arts, with valuable insights and practical guidance on how to pursue successful non-academic careers after completing their doctoral studies. By providing a platform for experienced professionals to share their journeys and expertise, and by offering tailored workshops, participants will be better prepared to navigate diverse career options outside the traditional academic realm.
The workshop is organized within the framework of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), which includes five recently founded reform universities in France, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Bulgaria. Participation is free for ERUA members. Travel and accommodation may be covered by the ERUA or Erasmus+ programs, depending on the rules of each institution.
The two-day workshop on “Exploring Pathways Beyond Academia” aims to empower early career researchers in SSH and arts disciplines to make informed decisions about their career trajectories. By learning from experienced professionals and participating in practical workshops, participants will be better equipped to embark on successful non-academic journeys and contribute their expertise to various sectors beyond academia.
When: 24 – 25 October 2023
Where: Paris 8 University
Read more here
The workshop is a three-day event, aiming the development and mentoring of PhD students and post doctoral researchers, from all disciplines, whose interest focuses on Scientific Entrepreneurship. It is open to early career researchers, who are thinking about translating their research into commercial innovation, now or in future, or be in a start up, or in a social enterprise, or industry/SME collaboration. It allows also building a network of peers coming from various backgrounds, institutions, disciplines and countries. It offers training/coaching and provides an opportunity for interaction amongst senior and early career researchers, introducing the practicalities and mindset needed to be successful in developing their innovation efforts.
In order to ensure optimal interaction and dialogue, we have limited the workshop to 25-30 participants (5-6 from each university).
How to apply?
Please, send to erua-eui@aegean.gr with the subject: Entre-ECRs :
- a short CV description of your research area and motivation for participating in the workshop (up to 1 page)
Deadline for submissions: 20th April 2023.
The workshop is organized within the framework of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), which includes five young reform universities in France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and Bulgaria. For participants from ERUA partners, there is no participation fee, and travel and accommodation may be covered through the ERUA or Erasmus+ programme accordingly to each institution’s regulations.
For additional information, please see: here
– 24 January 9 AM-4:30 PM
– 25 January 9 AM-1 PM
- Paris 8 University: valeria.manzione02@univ-paris8.fr
- Konstanz University: erua@uni-konstanz.de
- Roskilde University: erua@ruc.dk
- University of the Aegean: erua-eui@aegean.gr
- New Bulgarian University: eddie.marinov@gmail.com
In order to ensure optimal interaction and dialogue, we have limited the workshop to 25 participants (5 from each university), so we would kindly ask you to send a short CV and description of your research area (if available also the name of your potential host) and motivation for participating in the workshop (up to 1 page) no later than 20th November 2022 to forschungssupport@uni-konstanz.de with the subject: MSCA PF.
Time and dates:
• 5 December 10 AM-5 PM
• 6 December 10 AM-5 PM
Place: The workshop will be developed as a hybrid event allowing participants to either participate via zoom or on location at Roskilde University. We hope that as many participants as possible will participate on location to facilitate discussion and networking activities.
Target group: Early-career researchers with motivation to develop and engage in intradisciplinary collaboration
On behalf of the European Reform University Alliance, we would like to invite you to participate in a two-day workshop “Interdisciplinary research and engaging non-academic sectors. The workshop will focus on what kind of collaboration you need to develop an interdisciplinary research approach and how you can build collaboration with both academic and non-academic partners.
The purpose of the workshop is to facilitate exchange of experience around development of interdisciplinary research. Developing an interdisciplinary research approach is increasingly important for strategic research and increasing the impact of research. The workshop will provide an understanding of interdisciplinary research and how to engage with non-academic sectors.
In order to ensure optimal interaction and dialogue between early-career researchers and senior researchers we have limited the workshop to 25 participants (5 from each University), so we would kindly ask you to send a short description of your research area and motivation for participating in the workshop (up to 1 page) no later than 15 November 2022 to the representative at your university, listed below:
Paris-8: romain.bijeard@univ-paris8.fr
Konstanz University: erua@uni-konstanz.de
Roskilde University: erua@ruc.dk
New Bulgarian University: eddie.marinov@gmail.com
University of the Aegean: erua-eui@aegean.gr
A two-day workshop for early-career researchers “Participating in and creating scientific networks” will be held virtually on March 23rd – 24th.
The purpose of the workshop is to facilitate exchange of experience in building international research networks between early-career researchers and senior researchers.
To participate, you must apply by sending a short description of your research area and motivation for participating in the workshop (up to 1 page) no later than 28 February, 2022 to the representative at your University:
• Paris-8: romain.bijeard@univ-paris8.fr
• Konstanz University: erua@uni-konstanz.de
• Roskilde University: erua@ruc.dk
• New Bulgarian University: eddie.marinov@gmail.com
• University of the Aegean: erua-eui@aegean.gr
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
