Doctoral Student Conference at UWB connected early-career researchers from the EUPeace Alliance

Justice and Inclusion as a Common Thread

Justice and an inclusive society. These core values of the EUPeace European alliance provided a thread linking the research topics presented by doctoral students from the alliance’s partner universities in Pilsen. The international student conference, organized within the alliance’s doctoral mobility program, was hosted in the first half of June by the Department of Sociology and Social Work at the Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia. Doctoral students from Türkiye, Germany, and Spain showcased the diversity of research topics being explored across the alliance.

Migration and Emotions at the Centre of Research

Most of the participants focused on experiences related to migration and emotions. In her doctoral research, Özlem Azman from Çukurova University in Türkiye compares the socio-emotional competencies of primary school teachers in Türkiye and the United States. Her colleague Fahriye Aytolu Kara examines the phenomenon of digital diasporas and, as part of her mobility stay in the Czech Republic, is also researching the local Turkish diaspora and the role of social media in shaping its cultural and political experiences. Migration is also the focus of Kareem Hamdy from the University of Marburg in Germany, who investigates fertility patterns and how they change in relation to migration experiences.

Vulnerability, Gender, and Social Exclusion

The doctoral project of Giulia Di Lisio from Comillas Pontifical University in Spain forms part of a broader research initiative examining the socio-educational vulnerability of children from migrant families. Claudia Gómez San Martín, an early-stage doctoral researcher from the same university, presented her planned project in Pilsen. She aims to explore the situation and experiences of women over the age of fifty working in the sex industry. The student is using her month-long stay in the Czech Republic as part of her preparation for future data collection in Spain.

Exchange, Feedback, and Academic Community

A discussion followed each presentation. Participants reflected not only on the research itself but also on the process of developing doctoral projects.

“The students had a unique opportunity to share their experiences, receive valuable feedback from an international academic environment, and establish contacts for future collaboration. The doctoral researchers presented highly engaging topics and also expressed their gratitude. Their thanks were directed especially to Dr. Ashley Sanders-Jackson and Dr. Alena Pařízková. Without their efforts, this conference would not have taken place.”

said Veronika Hásová, Head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work, on behalf of the organizers.

The Value of European University Alliances

According to Hásová, events such as this highlight the importance of the University of West Bohemia’s involvement in the EUPeace alliance. The network of European universities actively promotes mobility, knowledge sharing, and connections among emerging research talents across the continent.

Author: Alena Pařízková, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen