UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies)

Last weekend marked the end of my two-year term with the UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies) Graduate Forum’s Doctoral Training Academy in Prague, where I served as Communications Officer and Interim Chair. Among the many cherished memories, the greatest joy has been meeting numerous graduate students and early career researchers (ECRs) in European Studies, whom I hope to collaborate with as colleagues for many years. You can also read my blog post about my experience: https://lnkd.in/eyyThT-m This incredible experience would not have been possible without the immense support of Kerry Cole Ollie Pilkington, Katie Kilbourne, the outstanding office team, and my beloved committee members Elena Şimanschi Filiz Doğan, Ph.D Roberto Baccarini, and of course, my Belfast guide and ex-colleague at GF Niall Robb. I try not to miss anyone too much, and hopefully, we will be together at future events.

Are you ready to step into a leadership role and support the European Studies community? Nominations for the UACES Graduate Forum Committee Elections 2024 have temporarily reopened, and we’re calling on passionate individuals to step forward. The Graduate Forum is a key part of UACES, run by an elected committee of PhD and early-career members. Serving on the committee is a rewarding opportunity to develop professional skills, contribute to organising events, and ensure graduate voices are heard across the organisation. We are seeking UACES members to fill the following positions: 🔹 Chair. 🔹 Events Officer (Joint Position). 🔹 Communications Officer. Candidates must have an individual, PhD, or early-career membership to be eligible. For full details of the roles and the elections process, check out the Graduate Forum Committee Terms of Reference: https://lnkd.in/eVtyQT-N. This is your last opportunity to stand for election and help shape the future of our vibrant community! Complete the Nomination Form by midnight on Thursday, 5 December 2024: https://lnkd.in/eEDADnV5. #UACES #PhD #ECR #Nominations #Election

📣 📣 📣 Join us for UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies) 2025. I am co-convening the theme track on 'EU Digital Policy' with Xuechen Chen and Sebastian H.

🌟 Thrilled to Have Participated in the UACES 2024 Doctoral Training Academy in Prague! 🇨🇿 Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies) 2024 Doctoral Training Academy (#DTA), held on 28-29 November in the beautiful city of #Prague, which I was excited to visit for the first time! This incredible event brought together #PhD Candidates and Early Career #Researchers from all over the world, offering a unique platform to #learn, network, share #ideas and #experiences. The training sessions with esteemed doctors and professors were particularly impactful. We explored crucial topics such as teaching sensitive matters, meeting students’ diverse needs, and building authority in class. These discussions were enlightening and highly practical, equipping us with tools to thrive in our academic journeys and future careers. I am deeply grateful to UACES for organising this fantastic event and the European Commission Representation to the Czech Republic for hosting us! A special thanks to my fellow colleagues as well, who made this experience truly unique! I hope to stay in touch and look forward to meeting you all again soon, particularly my new fantastic friend Jess Gosling, with whom connection sparked, as well as Rose Smith, with whom I hope to talk #space soon! For anyone in academia or wishing to pursue a research career in European Studies and related fields, this #annual event is an unparalleled #opportunity. Mark your calendars and don’t miss the chance to participate next year! 🎓✨ #UACES #EuropeanStudies #DoctoralTraining #DTA24 #Networking

It was very pleasant to take part in UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies) training "Navigating the Academic Landscape: Mastering Teaching and Research Balance in European Studies" in beautiful Prague. Apart from knowledge on the topic, it was a boost for my self-esteem. In our lonely academia life, it is important to re-connect with other academics. My takeaways: - Everyone gets numerous rejections in academia and it is fine (I know this, but need to remind myself again and again); - It is Ok to make mistakes, to be imperfect, to be not the best in everything you do (oh really? I need more reminders of this); - Think of what you have already achieved; - There are sometimes unwritten rules in academia. It is not always you are not worth it, if you do not get it; - You are still allowed to have a personal life and free time in academia. 😊

🇨🇿 Pursuing PhD training in Prague! 🇨🇿 The past two days I’ve been in Prague with UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies) with the support of the European Commission Rep in Prague on doctorial training This opportunity has not only supported me in thinking more about being a researcher, but has also opened the door to a vibrant, international community. In this city of stunning architecture and endless inspiration, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with brilliant minds from across Europe and beyond. The shared experiences—whether tackling research challenges, exploring innovative ideas, or simply bonding over a love of discovery—have underscored one vital truth: connections matter. These relationships are more than professional; they are the foundation of collaboration, creativity, and mutual support. Happy to also say I networked my little heart out and safe to say I’ve met some wonderful new friends Rose Smith, Maria Vittoria Prest and some fun academic collaborations should be coming Emilija Tudzarovska. 🙏 Grateful to the UACES & European Commission Rep in Prague for fostering an environment where such connections thrive and for empowering us to grow as researchers and as people. Here’s to the friendships and networks shaping the future! 📸 From the second day of training with all of us from the Doctorial Training Adacemy 2024! 💫 #EarlyCareersResearcher #DoctorialTraining #EuropeStudies #

I'm so thankful for this opportunity to join the UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies) Doctoral Training Academy at the European Commission representation in Prague. The panels and Q&A questions have been so helpful for soothing the inevitable anxieties that we face early in our academic careers. It is always a pleasure to meet fellow PhD and postdoctoral researchers and to share our experiences. Personally, I have found it especially valuable to learn about different strategies for handling our teaching activities in today's training session. Thanks to Olga Litvyak and Elena Şimanschi for coordinating this amazing workshop and addressing everyone's tips and doubts on how to build authority and address difficult questions in the classroom.

Trump’s announcement this week of increased trade tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China has drawn notable attention within the EU. Could this signal a turning point in US-EU relations? Explore how this partnership has evolved in recent years with these must-read articles from past JCMS contributors: Dr. Sebastian Biba explores why the EU has recently moved closer to the US in its approach to China amid intensifying US-China strategic competition. Using role theory, he explains how shifts in the EU’s role conception and alignment with US expectations under President Biden have driven this change. 🌍 🔗https://lnkd.in/e_6-AUmQ In a 2021 JCMS Annual Review article, Stephanie C. Hofmann explores the resilience of the transatlantic relationship during periods of political crisis, focusing on the concept of institutional elasticity. She highlights how trust and diffuse reciprocity helped the US and EU navigate tensions under Trump and adapt under Biden, preserving NATO’s core stability. 🛡️ 🔗https://lnkd.in/ejW9HwVp In a 2023 JCMS Annual Review article, Niklas Helwig examines the ongoing debate over the EU’s strategic autonomy, exploring its relevance in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He argues that while the EU has shown increased agency in some areas, its security and defence ambitions remain tempered by its ties to the US and NATO. 🌐 🔗https://lnkd.in/eNj5-P4q Follow us to stay informed on key research insights in European Studies! #JCMS #UACES #EuropeanStudies #EU #US

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Prague at this year’s UACES Doctoral Training Academy. We hope you have made new connections and can put the insights you’ve learned into practice with your students. Special thanks to the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic for hosting us, and to all our speakers for their insights and expertise. Are you feeling inspired to get involved with the UACES Graduate Forum Committee? We currently have 3 positions available: 🔹 Chair. 🔹 Events Officer (joint position). 🔹 Communications Officer. You’ll organise events, influence strategic decisions, and play a vital part in supporting our vibrant European Studies community. Nominations are open until Sunday 1 December. You can find full details on the roles, expectations and how to nominate yourself on our website: https://lnkd.in/eswcRjj. Safe travels and we look forward to seeing you at the next UACES event! #UACES #DTA24 #PhD #ECR #EuropeanStudies

We are wrapping up the UACES Doctoral Training Academy 2024 with Session 4: "Training Session: Building authority and addressing difficult questions. Tips for establishing a confident teaching presence and addressing challenging questions with poise". Workshop coordinators: 🔹 Dr Olga Litvyak (University for Continuing Education Krems) 🔹 Elena Şimanschi (Barcelona Institute for International Studies) This interactive training equips participants with strategies to establish a confident teaching presence and manage challenging questions in the classroom. Teaching confidence = teaching excellence! #UACES #DTA24 #PhD #ECR #EuropeanStudies