FEPS Young Academics Network, Cycle 9

FEPS, together with its partner, Renner Institut (RI), is delighted to present a call for new members for the 9th cycle of the FEPS Young Academics Network.

Background: The FEPS Young Academics Network (FEPS YAN) was established in March 2010 with the aim of gathering promising progressive PhD candidates and young PhD researchers ready to use their academic experience in a debate about a more progressive Europe. Throughout the years, the project has gathered more than 350 members – many of whom are today professors of renowned universities, prominent experts in their respective fields and front bench politicians. Their exchanges and interdisciplinary research at the time of their involvement have resulted in a number of stimulating studies, contributing to the European socialist and social democratic movement. Today, FEPS YAN is one of the corner stones of the FEPS Training Strategy.

The 9^th cycle of FEPS YAN will start in the summer of 2024 and will last 1.5 years. A cycle consists of four phases:

• (1) Forming the working groups: Participants present their research interests to their fellow FEPS YAN members. Thematic working groups are formed based on the convergence/connection among the research interests. Each working group formulates a joint research question and develops a research strategy.
• (2) Research: Working groups conduct interdisciplinary and transnational research. They receive guidance and advice from selected academic and political mentors.
• (3) Publication: Working groups write (at least one) academic and/or policy publication. You can find the papers delivered in the previous cycles on our website.
• (4) Dissemination: The outcomes and findings are disseminated to relevant European politicians and stakeholders, as well as to the general public.

We will convene at FEPS YAN seminars (3 seminars planned, taking place in Brussels or Vienna), as well as online meetings. Working group coordination and collaboration take place online.

What can you expect? FEPS YAN offers the opportunity to:

• Acquire an instructive experience within the community of FEPS and Renner Institut.
• Get involved in the multidisciplinary debate about the future of Europe.
• Conduct research and contribute to policy papers within thematic Working Groups.
• Meet inspiring progressive academics, politicians, trade unionists, civil society activists and many more.
• Belong to a vibrant and internally diverse community, where members stimulate one another, inspire each other in scientific quests, and also enjoy the time together!

FEPS is committed to promoting equal opportunities, fairness and diversity. We, therefore, strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels respected and supported in fulfilling their potential.

What is expected from you? This call is addressed at outstanding and progressive young European academics holding the status of either PhD candidates or post-doctoral researchers. If selected, you will be expected to:

• Remain committed to the fulfilment of the goals for which FEPS YAN was established.
• Participate in all FEPS YAN seminars (online and physical).
• Act as a responsible member of your working group, providing inputs and actively contributing to the final publication(s) within the agreed deadlines.

The application should include three documents, each submitted as a separate document and coded as: FEPS-YAN9_Name_CV / FEPS-YAN9_Name_Motivation / FEPS-YAN9_Name_Research

• CV, focused on academic achievements and working experience.
• Letter of motivation, with an emphasis on the specific contribution you will bring to FEPS YAN.
• Abstract of 600–800 words, outlining the research interest that you would like to explore within FEPS YAN, including methodological and conceptual approaches, as well as an explanation of why this is an important topic to you, to the academic world, as well as to politics/society.

The language used in the application process, and working language of FEPS (and FEPS YAN), is English.

Topics: Although the Call is open to a great variety of topics, the proposals that focus on the three leading themes of the FEPS Framework Activity Programme 2024 (as listed below) will have a comparative advantage:

• Building modern, resilient, and sustainable welfare states with particular attention to gender equality
• Progressive ideas in the debate about internal and external challenges for the future of Europe
• New models of society against the backdrop of digitalisation and tackling climate change

We also welcome and encourage proposals acknowledging intersectional forms of inequalities, such as gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Process: Please send your application by Sunday, 4 February 2024, to the FEPS YAN Steering Committee, addressing Caitlin Reder, FEPS Project Officer (caitlin.reder@feps-europe.eu) – Secondary deadline extension to Wednesday, 14 February 2024.

Following the Call, short online interviews will be scheduled with pre-selected candidates, after which the final list of the 9^th cycle members will be drafted, and successful candidates informed. FEPS aims to accept 30 participants, observing principles of equality and fair representation. New applications have priority over returning applicants.