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Final week to register at the early bird rate!
Research collaboration with societal actors plays an important role at doctoral level. In addition to collaboration during the doctorate, it is a fact that a majority of doctoral graduates will pursue careers outside academia.
This EUA-CDE Annual Meeting will provide participants with a platform to discuss a wide range of topics related to the contribution of doctoral research and talent to the advancement of society. The conference will offer participants the opportunity to share good practices and reflect on how to further strengthen institutional practices in societal engagement at doctoral level and preparing doctoral candidates for a labour market that is wider than academia.
This discussion is particularly timely, as the societal role of doctoral research has gained renewed attention across Europe and internationally. The topic of this year’s conference is closely linked to current EU policy priorities: strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and the skills needed for Europe to succeed in this effort.
This year’s edition will offer participants a dynamic programme composed of expert talks and interactive sessions tackling a broad spectrum of issues. Sessions will explore how doctoral education is contributing to advancing society, innovative approaches to support doctorate holders’ career pathways beyond academia as well as the importance and need of interdisciplinarity, among many other topics.
In addition, a highlight during the Annual Meeting in Galway will be the launch of the findings of the 2025-2026 EUA-CDE Thematic Peer Group, which focuses on best practices in the collaboration with societal actors at the doctoral level.
EUA-CDE Annual Meetings have become the largest and most comprehensive gatherings of academic leaders, doctoral education professionals, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers and other stakeholders working on doctoral education. They are open to anyone with responsibilities and interest in this field.
Background
Dear colleagues,
On behalf of the University of Galway, it is my great pleasure to welcome the European University Association Council for Doctoral Education to Ireland for its Annual Meeting. We are especially delighted that this gathering of European thought-leaders is taking place on our University of Galway campus in the west of Ireland—a place defined by curiosity, creativity, and a deep commitment to societal progress. Céad Míle Fáilte to you all.
The 2026 Meeting celebrates the extraordinary potential of doctoral education to shape society’s future. Across Europe we are witnessing a remarkable evolution: research agendas influenced by real-world needs; flexible researcher development through structured skills training, cohort-based intakes and joint or professional doctorates; and a growing emphasis on widening access, inclusion, and support for diverse learners. The collaboration between universities and societal partners—government, non-profits, industry, and alumni—has never been more vital. Together, we are creating pathways for research that not only deepens knowledge but also drives social justice, economic resilience, and cultural flourishing. This shared endeavour is building a generation of researchers equipped to lead with purpose, insight, and imagination.
At the University of Galway our Strategic Plan 2025–2030 charts an ambitious course for the years ahead. Our research community is deeply engaged in addressing global challenges, national priorities, and regional opportunities. We embrace interdisciplinarity not simply as a method, but as a mindset—one that celebrates collaboration, sparks innovation, and invites diverse perspectives to shape new solutions. Anchored in the distinctive spirit of the west of Ireland, our work converges around four research pillars: Innovation for Health; Creativity, Culture & Society; Sustainable & Resilient Environments: Earth & Ocean; and Transformative Data & AI. Through local engagement and global partnership, we aim to deliver research that is not only excellent but transformative—research that carries forward our mission to contribute meaningfully to the world.
Finally, I hope you immerse yourselves in the unique energy of Galway—its vibrant arts, its living traditions, and its natural surroundings. As the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, Galway offers a sense of place that both grounds and inspires: from the rugged beauty of Connemara to the ancient mystery of the Burren. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus and region in 2026.
Professor David Burn
President
University of Galway
With the support of Fáilte Ireland - Discover Ireland
©University of Galway
About University of Galway
Established in 1845, with an initial intake of 68 students in 1849, University of Galway has grown in size and reputation since then. We are a bilingual (Gaeilge and English), comprehensive, public university comprised of four colleges, 18 schools and six research institutes, with more than 20,000 students, including around 3,500 international students and 1,000 doctoral researchers. We have more than 2,500 staff, including 1200 academic staff. Our innovative and engaged researchers collaborate with over 5,000 international institutions and are recognised for excellence in foundational frontier research and for translation to create new spin-outs and inventions, supported by a strong connection to the MedTech and Creative Arts sector in Galway. The research community in the Colleges and Institutes is supported by the Vice-President for Research & Innovation and the Dean of Graduate Studies and a dedicated researcher development centre focused on enhancing researcher professional development. Researcher excellence and determination drive our research outputs and global impact.
For more information visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/
About Galway city
Galway is known as Ireland’s cultural heart and is renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals and celebrations. On the edge of Europe, Galway is a city of contrasts – modern and ancient; a city for theatre and the arts, a hub for the biomedical industry and a haven for tourists and scholars. At the heart of this medieval city is the University of Galway.
Galway city has experienced very rapid growth in recent years and has a strong local economy with complementary business sectors, including manufacturing industry, tourism, retail and distribution, education, healthcare and financial, construction, cultural and professional services.
Galway City is ideally situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500 km tourism route along one of the world’s most dramatic coastal landscapes – from thrilling seascapes, cliffs, marine life, mountains, glens, loughs, trails and pathways. It is a place to experience nature at its best, and to experience ‘the craic’ through social interactions with our people!
For more information visit https://www.discoverireland.ie/galway
© Professor Chaosheng Zhang
The event organisers aim to ensure that all members who desire to attend the Annual Meeting can participate. However, in order to guarantee a balance between country and institution representations, the organisers may have to restrict attendance. Priority will be given to those who register early. Additional registrations will not be accepted once the event is full, even if this occurs before the registration deadline.
The early bird registration deadline is 20 April 2026.
The ultimate registration deadline is 2 June 2026.
Information on the pre-meeting sessions on Wednesday 17 June:
From 10:30-15:30 EUA-CDE is organising three pre-meeting sessions. For more information about the content, please consult the programme. You will be able to indicate your attendance in the Annual Meeting registration form.
*Doctoral candidates: this fee is only for doctoral candidates from EUA-CDE member institutions. To benefit from this fee:
** Non-CDE members (Industry/Private sector) – maximum 2 participants from the same company
The registration fee includes the participation to the whole event, including coffee breaks and lunches, the welcome reception on Wednesday 17 June, the dinner on Thursday 18 June and the farewell lunch on Friday 19 June. The name badge issued to you upon registration is required for admission to the meeting and all related events. You are kindly requested to wear your name badge at all times.
Participant fees do not cover travel and accommodation expenses or post-conference programmes.
Confirmation: Please note that by filling in the registration form for an event you agree to full payment of registration fees. Your registration will be confirmed by email. Please wait for your confirmation before making any further arrangements.Payment: Payment must be made upon confirmation and prior to the event either by bank transfer or credit card. The participant assumes full responsibility for paying all bank charges associated with the payment.
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION
Liability: Neither EUA nor University of Galway will be liable for any losses, accidents or damage to persons or objects, regardless of the cause. Participants and companions attend the meeting and all related events at their own risk and responsibility.
Should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the EUA Events Team at: events@eua-cde.org.
CONTACTS
EUA Council for Doctoral Education & EUA Events Team
For enquiries regarding the programme, please contact:
Simon Marti
Head of EUA Council for Doctoral Education
Email: simon.marti@eua.eu
Ana-Maria PeneoasuPolicy & Project OfficerEmail: ana.maria.peneoasu@eua.eu
EUA Events Team
For enquiries regarding registrations, payments, invoices, visa applications and general coordination, please contact:
Gemma FaganEvents OfficerEmail: events@eua-cde.org
For enquiries regarding accommodation and local information, please contact: Anne Marie Forde
Director of Graduate Studies
Email: annemarie.forde@universityofgalway.ie OR graduatestudies@universityofgalway.ie
Address of the venue:
**Due to the very busy summer period in Galway, we advise you to book your accommodation as soon as possible**
A block booking has been made by the University of Galway for the following on‑campus accommodation:
University of Galway Campus Accommodation for Conferences & Events
This is an on-campus budget friendly option for our participants, located just minutes from Galway city centre. When making a booking, please select your arrival and departure dates. You will have the option to reserve either an individual bedroom or an entire apartment in Dunlin Village.
All booking requests will be reviewed, and once approved, a confirmation email will be issued. A further confirmation email, including a welcome letter, will be sent to delegates approximately seven days prior to their scheduled arrival at the University of Galway.
Other accommodation options in the city centre are listed in the table below or alternatively please see this list for accommodation options at favourable rates outside the city centre:
A call for contributions for the EUA Council for Doctoral Education’s 2026 Annual Meeting is now open.
