European Winter School for Women 2027

The European Winter School for Women in the Study of Work and Employment Relations 2027 is inviting applications from women and non binary early career researchers based in Europe whose research focuses on work, labour and employment relations. The three day academic programme will take place from March 8 to 10, 2027, at the University of Bremen in Germany.

The Winter School is designed to provide an engaging academic environment where emerging researchers can develop their research, receive detailed feedback from senior scholars, build professional networks and discuss academic career development. Between 12 and 15 participants will be selected through a competitive application process.

The programme welcomes researchers from a range of academic backgrounds, including sociology, political science, European studies, labour studies, industrial relations, economics, psychology, gender studies and related disciplines. Doctoral researchers and early career scholars are encouraged to apply, including postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD within the previous five years.

There is no registration fee for selected participants. Those whose home institutions are unable to provide financial support may also receive full support for travel and accommodation. Applicants requesting financial assistance must explain their funding situation and provide estimated travel and accommodation costs as part of their application.

About the European Winter School

The European Winter School aims to strengthen and highlight the perspectives of women and non binary researchers studying work and employment relations.

The field brings together different academic traditions to examine how work is organised, governed, experienced and contested across different social, economic and historical settings. The Winter School provides an opportunity for researchers to exchange experiences, develop their research and establish connections with scholars working across Europe.

A central component of the programme will be paper development sessions. Participants will work with senior faculty and other researchers to develop papers they wish to advance during the Winter School. The programme will also address wider questions surrounding research careers, grant applications and professional development.

The 2027 Winter School will be hosted by the Institute Labor and Economy at the University of Bremen, with participation from senior researchers and academics from institutions across Europe.

Opportunity Benefits

• No registration fee

• Full travel support for selected participants without institutional funding

• Full accommodation support for selected participants without institutional funding

• Paper development sessions with senior scholars

• Detailed academic feedback on research papers

• Keynote discussions on current debates in work and employment relations

• Grant writing roundtables

• Academic career development discussions

• Networking with researchers and senior academics across Europe

• Engagement with social partners

• Opportunities to develop longer term academic connections

Programme Areas

The Winter School covers research and academic development related to:

• Work and employment relations

• Labour studies

• Industrial relations

• Sociology

• Political science

• European studies

• Economics

• Psychology

• Gender studies

• Related research fields examining work and employment

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be women or non binary scholars

• Applicants must be based in Europe

• Applicants must conduct research related to work, labour or employment relations

• Doctoral researchers are eligible

• Early career researchers are eligible

• Postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD within the previous five years may apply

• Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their research and the study of work and employment relations

• Applications must be submitted in English

Required Application Materials

• Extended abstract of the paper to be developed during the Winter School, maximum three pages

• Academic CV, maximum two pages

• Motivation letter, one page

• Estimated travel costs if financial support is requested

• Estimated accommodation costs if financial support is requested

• Information about financial support available from the applicant’s home institution

• Overview of estimated funding needs in tabular form where financial assistance is requested

Selected participants will also be expected to submit a full paper draft by January 15, 2027 for development during the Winter School.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed through a competitive selection process. The organisers will consider the relevance of the applicant’s research to the study of work and employment relations, the quality and potential of the proposed paper and the applicant’s motivation for participating in the Winter School.

Only 12 to 15 places are expected to be available, making the preparation of a focused research abstract and clear motivation important parts of the application.

How to Apply

1. Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that your research is connected to work, labour or employment relations.
2. Prepare an extended abstract of the paper you would like to develop during the Winter School. The abstract must not exceed three pages.
3. Prepare an academic CV of no more than two pages.
4. Write a one page motivation letter explaining your interest in the Winter School and how participation would support your academic development.
5. If you require financial assistance, provide details of your available institutional funding and estimated travel and accommodation costs.
6. Include an overview of your estimated funding needs in the required format.
7. Submit the complete application in English by email before the October 15, 2026 deadline.
8. If selected, prepare and submit your full paper draft by January 15, 2027 ahead of the March Winter School
9. Applications should be submitted by email to wwswork@uni-bremen.de