We invite submissions for three types of formats: paper presentations, poster presentations and workshops.

Paper and Poster Presentations

Regarding paper and poster presentations, researchers and practitioners are invited to submit a 500-word abstract related to the symposium theme and key research questions. We encourage submissions from a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to higher education studies, European studies, political science, sociology, and related fields. Early Career Researchers (ECRs), PhD students and practitioners working in European Universities Alliances are particularly encouraged to submit. During the Symposium, paper presenters will have 15-20 minutes to present their work, followed by 10-15 minutes of discussion.

Specifically, ECRs, PhD students, and practitioners are encouraged to consider submitting their proposals for the format of poster presentations showcasing work-in-progress, preliminary findings, or practice-based results where formal academic research may not yet have been conducted. Poster presenters will have a dedicated time on the symposium programme when their posters will be exhibited to the attendees. This format offers an excellent opportunity to share insights, showcase interesting projects, receive feedback, and engage in discussions with fellow attendees.

Interactive Workshops on Co-Designing Evidence

This year, we also welcome proposals for a couple of Interactive Workshops on Co-Designing Evidence to bridge the gap between daily implementation and academic inquiry. These 60 to 90-minute sessions should aim to jointly develop research agendas on transversal issues. We strongly encourage proposals co-authored by practitioners and researchers and planning to employ comparative and cross-alliance research methodologies. The goal is to use the collective intelligence of the room to translate emerging issues of interest (e.g., added-value of alliances, cooperation in the age of anti-internationalisation) into a rigorous research design or assessment framework.

Please submit a 500-word abstract outlining: (1) The specific practical problem or ‘blind spot’ to be addressed and the research gap related to this problem. (2) The content and structure of the workshop aligned with the identified workshop objective. Explain how the workshop will actively and interactively engage the mixed audience of practitioners and researchers to co-create a solution, study design, or evidence framework. Please note that we will not be able to accept proposals that do not provide a description of the structure of the workshop and of interactive activities planned, or that propose generic activities such as presentation and Q&A.

Submission Guidelines

• Submission should be made via the following Google Form.    

• Abstracts should be no more than 500 words (see types of submissions above).

• Abstracts must be submitted in English.

• Abstracts should clearly state the research question, methodology, key findings (if applicable), and implications for the field.

• Please indicate which of the themes your proposal best fits into. Proposals outside these themes are welcome under “Other Theme.”

• Please indicate your preferred presentation format (paper/poster presentation/interactive workshop).

• Please indicate your current position (PhD researcher, ECR, senior researcher, practitioner, other) and affiliation (if any).

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026

• Notification of Acceptance: March 31, 2026

Fees & Funding Opportunities

Thanks to the generous support of WU, which is providing the venue and catering for the event, the symposium will be free of charge for all participants.

Participants are kindly asked to secure their own travel and accommodation funding. However, we are actively exploring possibilities to offer targeted financial support for early career researchers, PhD students, and practitioners who may face difficulties in covering travel expenses. Further details on funding opportunities will be communicated as soon as they become available.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to Vienna!