PhD training school in Oslo: communicating research in the field of migration and religion

From 8–11 September 2025, PhD scholars and early-career researchers from across Europe gathered in Oslo for the COREnet PhD training school, hosted in cooperation with VID Specialized University (Norway). 

The theme this year, Communication in Practice-Based Research: Connecting Stakeholders and Perspectives in the Study of Religious Diversity and Migration, brought together researchers and local organisations to explore one of the challenges in today’s academic landscape: how to communicate research responsibly and with impact in sensitive and polarised fields such as migration and religious diversity.

The school welcomed PhD scholars and lecturers from sixteen European countries, including Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom. This diversity enriched the discussions, offering multiple perspectives on shared challenges across different cultural and political contexts.

A Week of Dialogue and Discovery

The school program included insights and discussions on themes such as achieving impact when communicating with policymakers, engaging stakeholders, communicating research ideas to funders, ethical issues in participatory research, communicating with difficult-to-define groups, and best practices, as well as dilemmas in science communication. 

Also, PhD scholars presented their own research projects, gaining valuable feedback while learning from each other’s approaches to stakeholder engagement, participatory methods, and communication strategies.

Beyond the Classroom

The training school wasn’t limited to academic discussions. Participants joined a guided city walk in Oslo, visiting faith-based organisations such as Migrasjonssenteret (Migration Centre) run by the Salvation Army, Kirkelig Dialogsenteret (Church Dialogue Centre), Grønland Menighet (the congregation of Grønland/Oslo), and the Islamic Cultural Centre of Norway. These encounters highlighted how research connects with lived realities, showing the importance of dialogue between scholars and practitioners on the ground.

Looking Ahead

By the end of the week, participants left Oslo with fresh perspectives and a stronger motivation to communicate their research with impact. The COREnet PhD Summer School fostered a young, international research community committed to navigating the complexities of migration and religious diversity.