From 6 to 10 July 2026, the University of Limoges proudly hosted the first edition of the EUPeace Doctoral Training Week, bringing together doctoral candidates, researchers and experts from across the Alliance for five days of learning, collaboration and exchange. Centred on the European Competence Framework for Researchers (ResearchComp), the programme aimed to strengthen the transversal skills that are increasingly essential for today’s research careers.
The opening session welcomed around 60 participants, while approximately 40 doctoral candidates and staff members from across the EUPeace Alliance took part in the full programme throughout the week.
Throughout the week, participants took part in an inspiring programme of keynote lectures, interactive workshops, peer-learning sessions and networking activities. Topics ranged from research impact, intercultural collaboration and science communication to project management, entrepreneurship, research integrity and career development. The diversity of participants’ research backgrounds reflected all the major research areas represented by the University of Limoges’ four doctoral schools and five research institutes, fostering truly interdisciplinary exchanges and encouraging new perspectives across disciplines.
Five days of interdisciplinary learning
Throughout the week, participants took part in an inspiring programme of keynote lectures, interactive workshops, peer-learning sessions and networking activities. Topics ranged from research impact, intercultural collaboration and science communication to project management, entrepreneurship, research integrity and career development. The diversity of participants’ research backgrounds reflected all the major research areas represented by the University of Limoges’ four doctoral schools and five research institutes, fostering truly interdisciplinary exchanges and encouraging new perspectives across disciplines.
Contact
More than a one-week event
The Doctoral Training Week was designed as more than a one-week event. An online preparatory session was organised ahead of the programme to help participants get to know one another and prepare for the week. A follow-up online session will also be held after the event to coordinate how each partner university will share the outcomes of the experience with its own doctoral community. Each institution will be free to disseminate the key learnings in its preferred format and in its local language, promoting Europe’s linguistic diversity while allowing many more doctoral candidates to benefit from the knowledge, discussions and collaborative spirit generated during the week.
Building a European research community
Beyond the academic programme, the event created a vibrant international atmosphere where participants forged new connections, exchanged ideas and strengthened collaborations across the EUPeace Alliance. Social events, cultural activities and informal discussions further contributed to building a genuine European research community and fostered meaningful relationships that will continue well beyond the event itself.
A seed for long-term collaboration
This successful first edition demonstrated the value of shared doctoral training within the Alliance and confirmed EUPeace’s commitment to fostering excellence, inclusion and cooperation in research. More importantly, the Doctoral Training Week was conceived as the starting point of a long-term dynamic: a seed that will continue to grow within each partner university by encouraging doctoral candidates to become more actively involved in the Alliance and to develop future initiatives, collaborations and activities together.
Thanks and next steps
The University of Limoges would like to warmly thank all speakers, organisers, staff members and participants who contributed to making this inaugural Doctoral Training Week such a success. We look forward to the next edition and to continuing to build an even stronger European research community together.
