Europe at a Crossroads: Integration, Identity and Power in a Fragmenting World
2026 UACES Graduate Forum Research Conference
The UACES Graduate Forum Research Conference 2026 will take place on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 June 2026 at the Faculty of European Studies, Babeș‑Bolyai University (UBB), Cluj‑Napoca, Romania. The conference will explore how Europe is responding to an increasingly fragmented and competitive international environment. It offers a platform for PhD and Early‑Career Researchers in European Studies to present their work, take part in focused discussions and reflect on the challenges shaping Europe today.
The Call for Papers for this conference is now closed. All authors who submitted proposals have been notified of the outcome.
Registration to attend the conference is open. Registration closes on 24 May at 13:00 BST.
There is a registration fee of £25 to attend the conference. The fee contributes to catering and venue costs and is non‑refundable. Funding is available to support travel and accommodation costs and eligible participants are encouraged to apply.
About The Conference
Political divisions within EU member states, heightened geopolitical tensions and growing pressure on long‑standing international frameworks have raised urgent questions about the European Union’s role, identity and resilience. These developments are reshaping the EU’s internal dynamics and influencing its capacity to act externally, while testing the partnerships and structures that underpin European and global governance. The conference brings together researchers from diverse disciplinary and methodological backgrounds to examine how the EU is navigating this period of uncertainty and change.
The conference is primarily aimed at PhD and Early‑Career Researchers in European Studies, with a limited number of places available for masters‑level students. You do not need to be a member of UACES to attend. However, UACES members are eligible to apply for travel and accommodation funding and may wish to join to access this support.
The conference provides a supportive platform for young and emerging scholars to engage with contemporary debates on Europe’s future. We particularly welcome participation from students, researchers and practitioners from under‑represented groups and regions, including the Global South, and from disciplines less well represented in European Studies.