European Regional Development Fund supports the ECPR Graduate student Conference at Tartu

20.04.2016

The Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies of the University of Tartu received a grant from the European Regional Development Fund to support the local organisation costs of the ECPR Graduate Student Conference, taking place in Tartu on 10-13 July 2016.

The funding comes from the European Union European Regional Development Fund under the Enterprise Estonia grant project No. EU49554 „Euroopa poliitikauuringute konsortsiumi noorte teadlaste konverents 2016 Tartus" [ECPR Graduate Student Conference 2126 in Tartu] within the amount of €19,196 (01.03-30.09.2016).

ECPR (European Consortium for Political Research) was created in 1970 and today more than 350 higher education institutions from more than 50 countries are members of ECPR. The Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies has been a member of the consortium for more than 15 years. Among the variety of activities of ECPR are the biannual graduate student conferences. The University of Tartu was selected as the conference organiser on a competitive basis. The ECPR Graduate Student Conference will take place on 10-13 July, and up to 400 participants from the European Union, the US, Australia and elsewhere have applied to attend the conference. In addition to the academic programme, also there will also be a diverse social programme, including conference tours both in- and outside of Tartu.

The aim of the project is to introduce Estonia as an innovative centre for science and research at an international level. More specifically, the project aims to:

  • Introduce the University of Tartu as a centre for education and research in social and political sciences;
  • Support networking in the field of social sciences;
  • Support developing joint research projects;
  • Introduce Tartu and Estonia as an excellent setting for studies, research, as well as organising conferences.

ECPR Graduate Student Conference is expected to host up to 400 participants from 15-20 countries, all of whom will gain insights about the opportunities Estonia has to offer for doing innovative research as well as for enjoying it as a holiday destination. The conference will enhance networking and cooperation opportunities between social scientists in Estonia and abroad and help consolidate the position of Tartu and Estonia as a superior location for high-level international conferences.

For more information, please contact the local organiser, Professor Vello Pettai (vello.pettai [ät] ut.ee, phone 737 5335).