Call for COREnet PhD Training School 2025 applications

Call for COST Action “Connecting
Theory and Practical Issues of Migration and Religious Diversity” (COREnet)
PhD Summer School applications

Communication in Practice-Based Research.
Connecting Stakeholders and Perspectives in the Study of Religious Diversity and Migration

Date: 8 September – 11 September 2025
Place: VID/Oslo

Research on religious diversity and migration often addresses sensitive topics that can impact participants and interested parties in profound ways. Migrants and religious minorities typically face vulnerabilities in asserting their (social) interests and in their representation in the media. This vulnerability also manifests in public discourse surrounding these groups. The current polarized political climate and the rise of right-wing populist parties in an increasing number of countries in Europe and beyond complicate this situation. On one hand, research-based knowledge is more essential than ever to provide objectivity in emotionally charged debates. On the other hand, the heated nature of discussions can lead to the denigration and misuse of research ideas and projects. Researchers and research participants alike may risk being mocked, antagonized, or experiencing other negative reactions due to their involvement in this work. Furthermore, researchers have an important responsibility to critically analyze public conversations about religion and migration. In light of this context, the training school will focus on the following questions:

• What specific opportunities and challenges exist in research communication within the domain of migration and religious diversity?
• Who are the primary audiences for communication regarding research in this field, and what other stakeholders should be taken into account?
• What types of communication are necessary at different stages of the research process?
• How can social media serve as a space for research and as a platform for research communication?
• In what ways can computer-assisted research contribute to the critical analysis of public dialogues about religious diversity and migration?
• How can research ideas and findings be effectively communicated to research funders?
• What ethical considerations should be recognized when communicating practice-based research in sensitive areas?
• How can research communication be adapted into local and international formats (e.g., advantages and disadvantages of in-person meetings versus webinars)?

The COREnet PhD Summer School, in cooperation with VID Specialized University, provides participants with the opportunity to discuss, receive feedback, and further develop their research projects along with the communication strategies essential to them.

The aim of the PhD Summer School is to explore the opportunities and challenges of communication related to practice-based research in the realm of religious diversity and migration.

Participants in the PhD Summer School will receive a certificate of attendance worth 3 ECTS credits if they submit a 2,000-word written critical reflection on communication related to their research project by October 15, 2025.

All participants are expected to submit a draft of a popular media article about their research project on the course platform prior to the training school, and no later than August 20, 2025.

Who can apply?

• PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in all areas related to the study of religion and migration, including but not limited to the study of religions, sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, theology, and gender studies.
• Early-career researchers and innovators (YRI) under 40 years old who are beginning their research activities in the field of religion and migration.

A pre-selection of applicants will be conducted to ensure a balanced representation of various backgrounds, including academic disciplines, gender, and geographical and institutional diversity.

Venue: VID Specialized University, Campus Oslo, Norway.

Organisers: COST action COREnet & VID Specialized University & Vytautas Magnus University

Teachers and invited speakers (in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Dr. Milda Ališauskienė, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
• Prof. Dr. Adam Dinham, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
• Dr. Erlend From, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
• Dr. Alessandro Indelicato, University of Eastern Finland and Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Prof. Dr. Annette Leis-Peters, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
• Dr. Gintarė Pocė, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
• Dr. Anne Raustøl, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
• Dr. Gilda Seddighi, NORCE Research Institute, Norway

Read more information about teachers here.

Programme

A preliminary programme is presented here.

How to apply?

To apply, please provide:

• a cover letter with an expression of interest, motivation, and a paragraph describing the relevant academic pre-experiences and activities with the topic of the PhD Summer School;
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• a research project description up to 3 pages in length.

All applications should be submitted via email to corenet@vdu.lt no later than June 5, 2025. If you do not receive confirmation of your application by June 7, please notify us. Successful applicants will be contacted directly by email by June 26, 2025.

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Early Career Investigators (ECIs) in the area of research on religion and migration;
• Relevance of applicants’ studies and research experience to the topics of the workshop;
• A balanced distribution of educational and geographical backgrounds among participants;
• Quality and clarity of the research project description.

Funding

Eligible applicants can apply for reimbursement of travel expenses and daily allowance of EUR 220 for each day of the training school if they belong to a COST country after the end of the summer school. A list of COST countries is listed here.

• Number of applicants to be reimbursed: 18 (via COST);
• Number of participants: 22 (including 4 local participants without reimbursement).

Contacts:

• PhD Summer School Scientific Coordinators: prof. dr. Annette Leis-Peters (annette.leis-peters@vid.no); prof. dr. Milda Ališauskienė (milda.alisauskiene@vdu.lt);
• PhD Summer School Communication Officer: dr. Gintarė Pocė (gintare.poce@vdu.lt).

Watch our videos about the COST Action COREnet PhD Summer School in 2023 and in 2024.