Young Scholars workshop in Paris: “A Space for ‘Place’ in Social Sciences”

Short introduction
This two-day workshop provides young scholars the space to present and exchange their research on the role of ‘place’ (and territoriality) in social sciences. We aim at nurturing a transdisciplinary discussion between PhD candidates by bringing together various perspectives of place-sensitive research.
Additional funding from the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) would increase the inclusivity of the workshop and enrich the collective discussion. Specifically, it would enable us to offer travel scholarships to students from disadvantaged universities, fields, and backgrounds, or with limited funding.

Presentation of the workshop
This doctoral workshop brings together young scholars from various fields interested in the place-sensitive research agenda. In two days (one afternoon and the following day), young scholars present their research in thematic panels to stimulate transdiscplinary debate and receive feedback from like-minded peers.

Workshop goal
First, our goal is to have a multidisciplinary and reflexive discussion about our uses of place – and its various conceptual variations – rooted in our empirical doctoral research. Second, by engaging this collective work, we aim at creating intellectual links between a new generation of young scholars with the promise of future fruitful academic collaboration.

Application procedure
Participants should submit an abstract summarising their research proposal in approx 500 words through our application form (https://fs8.formsite.com/CNZLjX/guaogprbhq/index). We welcome proposals from various fields, ranging from political science to sociology, geography or urban and regional studies, and from various methodological approaches. Deadline for the submission of research proposals is September 30, 2023. We also welcome abstracts studying broader theoretical perspectives or concrete empirical cases in different parts of the world, and tackling different objects (e.g. sustainability, sociopolitical attitudes, urban planning, governance, innovation, regional development, public policy, etc.).
Additionally, participants who would like to be considered for the YSI travel scholarship, should prepare a short statement (~250 words) which explains their motivation behind your application and why they require funding to attend. YSI funding would contain a travel stipend based on individual needs and two nights of accommodation (13th – 14th of December 2023) in a shared twin-room in a hotel close to the workshop venue, for about 12 participants. Participation in the workshop is free.

Format
The workshop takes place in the facilities of Sciences Po Paris. It will consist of two days of panel discussions (Wednesday 13th afternoon and Thursday 14th all-day) and social events in the evening. Panels will comprise two to three presentations of 15 to 20 minutes each followed by an open discussion with the workshop participants. Senior researchers of the CEE (Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics) will act as moderators of the panels. An opening session will include a short address from the organising team, welcome words from the director of the CEE, Florence Faucher as well as a key-note speech of a distinguished scholar in the field. A closing event will allow for a common moment of reflection on take-away notes and potential future collaborations that emerged from the discussions.

This call addresses the international research community and the primary language of communication, discussion and presentation will be English.

Organisation
This Young Scholars workshop is organised by a team of PhD candidates from the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) affiliated with Sciences Po and the CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research) and in collaboration with the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI). We come from different research fields and represent the CEE’s dedication to multidisciplinary research.

Deadlines
Abstract submission: 30 September
Notification of acceptance: Mid-October
Workshop: 13th (afternoon) and 14th of December 2023

Contact
You can reach us at [email protected] for any question.