Doctoral Researcher Summer School 2026 Developing Transdisciplinary Practice to tackle complex challenges

Are you ready to expand your research horizons in a stimulating international environment? Do you want to experience teamwork in a transdisciplinary setting?

Åbo Akademi University is hosting an interdisciplinary Summer School dedicated to doctoral researchers from all fields. You will develop transdisciplinary skills working on real-life challenges together with other doctoral researchers and stakeholders to address complex topics of our time.

When?

Online preparatory sessions of 2 hours each (three slots, dates TBD)
June 8-12, 2026: Intensive on-site program in Åbo/Turku Finland

Where?

Åbo Akademi University, Turku

Aim of the summer school

This Summer School is designed to equip doctoral researchers with the skills and knowledge to address complex, real-world challenges through transdisciplinary collaboration.

Highlights:

Stakeholders: Learn from stakeholders and work with them on real-life challenges within their field of expertise
Networking: create meaningful connections with fellow doctoral researchers from various disciplines and expand your professional network in an international context
Skill Development: Engage in interactive workshops and team-building activities to enhance problem solving skills, interculturality, and transdisciplinary practices.

Who can participate?

This program is open to all doctoral researchers within the CHARM-EU alliance.

27 selected doctoral researchers will be invited to participate in person (3 per CHARM-EU university)
No registration fees
Support available for travel and accommodation expenses through your Erasmus+ mobility grant (to be confirmed by your home university)

Please note that the whole programme is in English so an advanced level is mandatory in order to participate.

Programme

The Doctoral Summer School offers a unique opportunity for PhD students from across Europe to collaboratively draft a transdisciplinary research proposal. Participants will be grouped into teams with peers from diverse disciplines, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. The program is guided by experienced researchers who will mentor the teams throughout the process. Through a combination of online and onsite workshops and presentations, students will receive training on how to design and develop a transdisciplinary research project, enhancing their ability to address complex global challenges through collective expertise.

Hybrid format: Combines online preparation (20 hours of prework and facilitated activities) with five days of intensive onsite workshops.

Monday 8 June

9.00
Welcome coffee

10.00
Welcome speech by Marko Joas, AAU CHARM Director/Prorector

10.15–11.00
Ice breaker

11.00–12.30
Intercultural workshop

LUNCH

13.30–16.00
World café pitches
Facilitated by Kinga Kaplar

16.00–17.00
Teamwork with coaches

We invite participants to Sauna and food. 5:30 pm – Departure from Turku Market Square

Tuesday 9 June

9.00–12:30
Examples of successful transdisciplinary proposal writing and their pre-conditions
by Kirsten Hollaender and Iris van der Tuin

LUNCH

13.30–15.00Talk to stakeholders

coffee break

15.00–16.30
Teamwork with coaches, work on the proposal

Dinner for coaches/facilitators

Wednesday 10 June

9.00
Inspirational talk
by Cecilia Sahlgren,

Available Grants for PhD / Postdoc
Kirsten Hollaender, Utrecht University

10.30–12.30
Teamwork with coaches

LUNCH

13.30–15.00
Frustration help
Workshop with Eduardo Abrantes and Laura Hellsten

coffee break with Cinnamon buns

15.00–16.30
Teamwork with coaches

Salsa with Patrik Henelius, Vice-rector of research, Bonfire

Thursday 11 June

9.00–10.15
Teamwork with coaches

10.15–11.45

Peer review game, with Tahmer Sharkawi

11.45–12.30
How to create your pitch
with Lars Nyre

LUNCH

13.30–16.30
Create your pitch!
teams and coaches
Supervised by Lars Nyre

Work with coaches
Prepare your pitch!
Test your pitch, receive feedback

18.00 Deadline for proposals

Friday 12 June

9.00–12.00 – Grande finale

Pitches day
Jury Feedback

Ceremony

LUNCH

13.30-15.30 Boat tour on Aura river (not mandatory)

How to apply?

Interested doctoral researchers should send a CV and a cover letter in English to your home university point of contact listed below before 15/02/2026.

Some universities would require you to also send a C1 English certificate (check your institution’s internal call).

University of Barcelona	Submit through this form.
Utrecht University	r.l.giethoorn@uu.nl
Eötvös Loránd University Budapest	horvath.zsolt@btk.elte.hu
University of Montpellier	collegedoctoral@umontpellier.fr
Åbo Akademi University	graduateschool@abo.fi
Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg	martin.kufferath-sieberin@uni-wuerzburg.de
University of Applied Sciences Ruhr West	charm-eu@hs-ruhrwest.de
University of Bergen	Sol.Sneltvedt@uib.no
Trinity College Dublin	charm-eu@tcd.ie