EUPeace Doctoral Network kicks off with first Alliance-wide gathering
The EUPeace Doctoral Network officially kicked off on 13 November 2025, bringing together doctoral candidates from across all nine partner universities for an inspiring opening session. Held online, the kick-off marked the start of a shared European community designed to enhance doctoral training, and foster cross-border academic engagement throughout the Alliance.
In his opening remarks, Work Package 6 lead Thorsten Bonacker welcomed over 40 doctoral network members and emphasised the importance of supporting doctoral candidates in navigating an increasingly complex research landscape. He highlighted how EUPeace aims to provide doctoral candidates with the skills, networks, and institutional connections needed to thrive in international research environments.
The event introduced participants to the core elements of the Doctoral Network, including:
- Doctoral training courses within the EUPeace Alliance
- International networking across a diverse, interdisciplinary doctoral community
- Access to courses and events offered by Graduate Schools at partner institutions
- Opportunities for collaboration with EUPeace Research Hubs and research-based teaching formats
- Support for Cotutelle agreements within the Alliance
Interactive session elects Doctoral Group Speakers and outlines next steps for the Network
During the interactive segment, participants met with the Research Hub speakers and members as well as their doctoral peers from across Europe, exchanged expectations, and shared ideas about how the Network can best support their professional and personal development. Furthermore, the participants elected their Doctoral Group Speakers. The new elected speakers are:
1) Doctoral Network representatives
- Speaker: Firdevs Gün (CU)
- Co-speaker: Denys Tkachov (UNILIM)
2) DG Security and Conflict Transformation
- Speaker: Denys Tkachov (UNILIM)
- Co-speaker: Mehmood Ali Khan (UMR)
3) DG Climate Science and Just Transition
- Speaker: Andrea Braile (UNICAL)
4) DG Migration and Human Rights
- Speaker: Zekiye Gürün-Ücem (JLU)
5) DG Inclusive Health and Well-Being
- Speaker: Hilal Nizamoglu (JLU)
- Co-speaker: Antonio Topalović (UNSA)
With the first meeting concluded, the next steps for the Doctoral Network include first course offers on writing groups and academic publishing, as well as ongoing opportunities for members to engage with research communities, training formats, and mobility schemes across the Alliance.
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