ISTR PhD Seminar

Call for Applications: ISTR PhD Seminar

10-12 July 2022, Montreal, Canada

Deadline to Apply: March 1, 2022

Overview

The ISTR PhD Seminar is open to all enrolled doctoral students doing research in the field of third sector[1] and civil society, across the different regions in the world, and at all stages of their doctoral studies. Past participants in ISTR International and Regional PhD Seminars are welcome to apply. ISTR will cover 3 nights of shared accommodations in the student residences of McGill University as well as most meals.

Doctoral students will engage with senior scholars and peers in extensive intellectual and methodological discussion on their doctoral research, discuss the main theories and developments in the field, reflect upon publication and career strategies, and network within the international ISTR research community. While rigorous and serious, the PhD Seminar is also a supportive and affirming – and dare we say fun – experience for many who enjoy interacting with other students and faculty in the field and hearing the different perspectives they have to offer.

Key Activities in the PhD Seminar

Central to the PhD Seminar are the small group sessions: each student is allotted time to discuss their doctoral research with and obtain feedback from peers and faculty in the group. Students do not prepare papers for the PhD Seminar.

The PhD Seminar also offers opening and closing plenary sessions and at least one professional development session with presentations by leading scholars in the field. Additionally, the PhD Seminar will feature the 3-Minute Thesis Competition (voluntary). The winner will be awarded a monetary prize and their presentation will be featured at the International Conference.

Recognizing that challenges posed by the global pandemic, we are prepared to switch to a virtual schedule if needed.

Eligibility and selection criteria

To be eligible for participation in the PhD Seminar, applicants should be:

Doctoral students at all stages of research, except those in the very final stages. If you expect to defend your dissertation before October 2022, we recommend that you do not apply as you will not likely benefit from the PhD Seminar. In this case, please consider signing up for ISTR’s Mentoring Program.
Conducting research in the field of third sector and civil society in any academic discipline
Able to participate in the entire PhD Seminar and International Conference
Be prepared to present and discuss their doctoral work with peers and faculty, and to participate in an active and constructive way in group discussions

ISTR will consider all applications that meet the eligibility criteria. In line with ISTR’s mission to build a global community of scholars and subscribe to the values of diversity and pluralism, participants in the ISTR PhD Seminar will be representative in terms of gender and region, as well as disciplines and stages of the PhD process. The application form requires the submission of an abstract, a motivation statement and a document from your university confirming your status as a doctoral student and providing additional information. A complete description of the questions asked in the application are provided on the application page.

Selected applicants will be notified by April 1, 2022.

Requirements for Accepted Students

Participating in the PhD Seminar is a benefit provided for our student members with the expectation that they will become active participants in the field of third sector studies and members of our society. Accepted students only must become paying members of ISTR and must register to attend the ISTR International Conference July 12-15, 2022 in order to and participate in the PhD Seminar. Students are encouraged to seek financial support to attend from their universities. Subsidies are available.