What does it mean to be a researcher in 21st century academia? (Edition 2025)

Cluster

Career management

Target group

In the first place this seminar series targets PhD students, young researchers at the beginning of their academic career from all Doctoral Schools, and postdoctoral researchers. The seminar is, however, also open to supervisors and other interested academic personnel. Building upon our positive outreach experience the past few years, this year we will aim to further expand our efforts to reach all faculties (also faculties with less stringent doctoral schools requirements such as sciences, engineering and medicine)

Abstract

Young researchers are confronted with questions and considerations that their interest in science did not prepare them for. Today’s academic world is a complex system in an increasingly globalized social and economic context. The aim of the course is to introduce participants to the problematic nature of current-day academic life and to inform them about the structural causes of the challenges they face as young researchers, as well as to help them critically engage with, debate on, and think about ways they can contribute to improving the current state of academia.

Topic

The first morning session aims to encourage participants to discuss and reflect on their own experiences as young researchers, with a particular focus on mental health and the role of systemic challenges in today’s academia. This panel in the afternoon seeks to foster a collaborative environment for participants to reflect, share, and envision a more sustainable and inclusive academic work environment.

The following day focuses on knowledge production, with a keynote and group workshop on knowledge production in the morning, and a panel discussion and group workshop on academic neutrality and activism in the afternoon.

The third day centers on the university of tomorrow, starting with a creative research methods session and practical, hands-on exercises such as creating “zines”, allowing participants the opportunity to reflect on the entire course. We conclude the course with a workshop on academic utopias in the afternoon.

Objectives

To gain comprehensive knowledge of current debates on a series of topics related to today's role of academic research, such as publication policies and strategies, research ethics, intellectual property regimes, mental health issues, working conditions, etc.
To have a critical understanding of the contemporary political economy of academic research environments and academic knowledge production more generally.
To acquire critical insight into and awareness of the relationships between academic institutions, markets and society/democracy, and of current responsibilities and societal role of academic research.
To formulate critical arguments and engage in interactive debates.
To translate the obtained awareness and insights into action in their personal academic environments.

Organizing & scientific committee

This doctoral school course is organised by a heterogeneous group of scholars from an interuniversity partnership between all five Flemish universities and one French-speaking university. In this way we hope to reach a broad and diverse audience for topics that are relevant for every researcher in Belgium, regardless of their affiliation:

Elvira Crois (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Erinn De Waele (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Anneleen Kenis (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
Sarah Kusch (Universiteit Gent)
Gaëlle Le Pavic (Universiteit Gent)
Pieter Maeseele (Universiteit Antwerpen)
Sevinj Samadzade (Universiteit Gent)
Mathias Schroijen (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
Emma Verhoeven (Universiteit Antwerpen)
Lena Verlooy (Universiteit Gent)
Elina Vrijsen (University of Antwerp & Ghent University)
Patrizia Zanoni (Universiteit Hasselt)

Contact person

Gaëlle Le Pavic, Universiteit Gent (Social Work and Social Pedagogy , Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences)

Format

Course activities consist of an ‘open space technology’ session, a keynote, panel discussions, interactive lectures, guided group discussions, collaborative inquiries and participatory sessions. Furthermore, participants are expected to prepare questions and discussion topics based on their reading of provided literature (chosen in consultation with the lecturers and training facilitators).

Program

Thursday 8 May 2025 (10h-16h30)

Topic of the day: What does it actually mean to be a researcher in the 21st century?
Location: University of Antwerp
Focusing on both individual experiences and systemic challenges, this workshop seeks to foster a collaborative environment for participants to reflect, share, and envision a more sustainable and inclusive academic work environment.

10h – 12h30: Individual experiences in the current academic system

The aim of the first session is to give participants the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences in the academic system and connect with peers. We will therefore foster an open, interactive environment through initial short exercises (mindfulness and icebreakers) and subsequent structured discussions, facilitated by the organizing committee of the doctoral course. 

Structured discussions will take place in small groups, during which participants will be working on case studies, guided by the recently developed “Doughnut Academia” framework, which applies the ideas of human and planetary boundaries from the “Doughnut Economy” to the academic system. By using the doughnut academia framework, individual experiences can more easily be linked to underlying systemic issues as well as a vision about how to rethink academia for the future. Case studies will be prepared in consultation with Prof. Anne Urai, co-author of the framework, and they will focus on hypothetical academic journeys that illustrate typical challenges that stem from exceeding those boundaries, such as mental health pressures, publication demands, and balancing sustainability in research practices. Working in small groups, participants will analyze these cases, exchange individual experiences, linking them to systemic issues and generating insights in strategies to overcome some of the current-day academic challenges. Members of the organizing committee of the doctoral course will help to facilitate the different discussions and help to record the main points that emerge for use in the afternoon session.

12h30 – 13h30: Networking Lunch

13h30 – 16h30: Panel on rethinking academia

During the second session, we bring participants together with a panel of speakers actively working on rethinking and transforming the academic landscape. We have invited speakers through several European networks such as the Researcher Mental Health Observatory and the network for Professionals in Doctoral Education. Dr Alexandra Freeman (tbc) will give insights on revolutionizing the publication system and Dr Brian Cahill will give insights on how bottom-up initiatives can effectively shape European policies. To further empower participants to initiate grassroots changes, we will invite a representative of one of our local Belgian PhD communities to give insights in their activities.

The aim of this panel is to learn more about what changes in the system have already occurred and what ideas are out there to improve the system to address the issues that were raised in the morning session. This will provide a more systematic perspective on individual experiences. To conclude, participants brainstorm practical, actionable changes they would like to see in academia, developing a shared “wish list” that will represent their collective vision for a healthier, more inclusive academic environment.

Thursday 15 May 2025 (10h-17h)

Topic of the day:
What is Knowledge in Academia? Knowledge production with a focus on Palestine
Location: Ghent University - This day is co-organised with the Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR) at Ghent University. CESSMIR is an interdisciplinary centre, aimed at societal impact, focusing on social aspects of migration, refugees and ethnic-cultural diversity. It encompasses over 150 researchers from seven different faculties.

09h30 – 11h00 Keynote by Jasmine K. Gani: Towards a praxis of justice and community: Solidarity and resistance in the university (Public event)

During this keynote session, Jasmine Gani, will explore the complex role of academia as both a site of transformative potential and an institution influenced by neoliberal pressures that often limit the capacity for genuine change. Emancipatory scholars and students face a critical paradox: while universities are intended to be spaces for inquiry and innovation, their structures are increasingly shaped by market-driven imperatives that stifle mobilization and resistance.

Jasmine Gani will address the challenges and possibilities of enacting meaningful change within these institutions, focusing on the tensions between institutional engagement and the risk of co-optation. The session will highlight how acts of solidarity and resistance by students and faculty members provide pathways for creating a more inclusive academic environment. Drawing on examples of advocacy within and beyond university walls, the speaker will offer insights into cultivating a sustained praxis of justice that extends from campus into broader society. Next, the session promises to inspire participants by affirming the power of collective action and critical engagement within the university, encouraging attendees to consider how their own roles can contribute to lasting, liberatory change.

11h00 - 11h15 Coffee break

11h15 - 12h30 Group workshop on knowledge production

This workshop aims to critically examine the process of knowledge production within academia, with a focus on understanding and decolonizing entrenched structures that influence scholarly work. Knowledge production within universities often reflects and reinforces historical power imbalances, marginalizing perspectives, methodologies, and voices from diverse cultures, particularly those from outside western frameworks. In this workshop, the aim is to explore alternative paradigms and methodologies that challenge dominant epistemologies.

Based on the keynote presentation, collaborative discussions and participatory sessions, participants will investigate questions surrounding the origins, ownership, and validity of academic knowledge. Central themes will include understanding colonial legacies in research practices, incorporating indigenous and non-western ways of knowing, and promoting practices of inclusion, respect, and equity. The workshop aims to create practical steps for implementing decolonizing practices within curricula, publication standards, research ethics, and institutional policies. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and cultural contexts, the workshop aims to create a roadmap for transforming academic knowledge production into an inclusive and reflective practice.

12h30 - 14h00 Lunch break

14h00 - 15h30 Panel and discussion on ‘academic neutrality’

Discussants: Koenraad Bogaert, Yasmine Kaied, Christopher Parker, Almuhannad Adnan Shaker Allahham, Raoul Rombouts

Moderation: Floor Verhaeghe (CESSMIR coordinator)

This panel investigates the concept of “academic neutrality” and its implications for scholars’ ethical responsibilities in addressing social and political crises. Through three interconnected projects, the panel members address how traditional interpretations of neutrality in academia may inadvertently enable oppression and silence essential critiques. Koenraad Bogaert examines how activist scholarship can counteract the misuse of neutrality, particularly in crisis contexts like Gaza, where calls for impartiality may mask accountability and ethical obligation. Yasmine Kaied’s research on the “Dare to Think Divers” platform at Ghent University demonstrates how collective action and inclusive knowledge-sharing empower marginalized students, fostering a sense of belonging and questioning hegemonic academic structures. Christopher Parker critically explores the paradox of value-neutrality in science, suggesting that neutrality should be reframed as an active, accountable practice, comparable to a referee’s role in sports, which requires informed judgment and principled action. Together, these studies reframe neutrality as a dynamic engagement, essential for an academic landscape that meaningfully addresses global injustices and promotes inclusive knowledge production.

15h30 - 15h45 Coffee break

15h45 - 17h00 Group workshop on activism within academia

This workshop seeks to engage scholars and students in a critical dialogue about the role of activism within academia, focusing on the responsibilities and ethical imperatives of universities in addressing urgent social and political issues. In light of recent student-led occupations and protests on university campuses concerning the Palestine conflict, this event will provide a structured space to analyze and reflect on how academic institutions respond to, support, or resist activist movements. By centering on the ongoing occupation, the workshop will consider broader questions regarding academia’s role in society, including its obligations to uphold academic freedom, address human rights concerns, and support student voices.

Based on the previous panel discussions and collaborative sessions, the workshop will explore the historical role of universities as sites of activism, the limits and potential of institutional responses, and the impact of student-led movements on public discourse and policy. Topics will include freedom of expression, the complexities of institutional neutrality, and the ethical considerations of academic involvement in politically charged issues.

This initiative aims to foster an inclusive and reflexive dialogue that can inform the university’s policies and approaches to activism on campus.

Thursday 22 May 2025 (10h-16h)

Topic of the day: What University Can We Imagine
Location: : Brussels (One Field Fallow)

10h – 11h30: Creative Research Methods, workshop provided by prof. dr. Maria Murumaa-Mengel

This workshop will introduce participants to creative research methods, offering an engaging and reflective approach to exploring and documenting insights gained through collaborative inquiry. Designed as part of this doctoral course, the workshop will guide participants through innovative techniques for knowledge production and sharing, with a strong emphasis on peer connection and community-building.

The workshop will start with an introduction to the concept of ‘Creative Research Methods’ (CRM) by exploring its practical implications across various studies and disciplines. The goal is here to gain insights into different approaches used to implement CRM and understand its relevance in contemporary research. Next, we dive deeper into the methodological foundations of CRM, starting from the ‘theory of fun’. Following, the participants will engage in individual exercises aimed at analyzing data in a creative way. By using a socio-semiotic approach, participants will explore how meaning and interpretation of data is constructed through culture.

11h30 - 11h45: Coffee break

11h45 - 12h15: Group Exercise: Collaborative Meaning-Making

Participants will break into small groups for collaborative exercises where they will analyze data together, using Creative Research Methods. Through a process of shared meaning-making, groups will engage in reflective dialogue based on tailored prompts, allowing participants to dive deeply into themes relevant to their research interests. Next, these discussions will culminate in the creation of artefacts, where each group will translate their insights, reflections, and acquired methods into a combination of images and text. These artefacts serve as both a documentation tool and a means of activating learned insights, transforming the knowledge produced into visually engaging, accessible formats to share with all course participants.

As the workshop concludes, participants will be encouraged to reflect on the creative methodologies explored and how they might be extended beyond data analysis toward envisioning new academic possibilities. This final exercise will serve as a bridge to the afternoon session on Academic Utopias, where we will collectively imagine and reimagine the university’s role, structure, and future. Alongside Maria Murumaa-Mengel, doctoral researcher Danielle Fernandes (VUB) and postdoctoral researcher Giulia Nazzaro (UGent) will join the workshop to provide a wider diversity of creative research methodologies. Fernandes developed a board game to investigate experiences of sexual transgressive behaviour encountered by people with a migration background in Brussels. Nazzaro specializes in qualitative research with an intersectional feminist, queer, and cultural geographical perspective. With a background in photography, she also applies visual anthropological methods to her research investigations.

12h30 – 13h30: Lunch

13u30 - 16h: Academic Utopias

This final workshop invites participants to open their minds and explore alternative possibilities for academia. Led by doctoral researcher Fọláṣadé Ajayi, whose work focuses on Black activism, Black feminist imagination, intersectionality, and anti-racist policies, the session will draw on her expertise in Black feminist imagination and Black queer utopia to inspire new ways of thinking about the university.

Building on previous course discussions and the workshop on CRM, participants can use these insights as tools to collectively imagine a different kind of university—one that moves beyond traditional structures and hierarchies.

By combining a lecture format with interactive activities, this workshop will encourage participants to:

Rethink how universities can prioritize different values.
Explore alternative models for research, teaching, and knowledge sharing.
Consider structures that empower scholars and enrich academic communities.

The goal of this final session is to conclude the doctoral course with an open and imaginative mindset toward the future of academia. It aims to spark critical discussions on systemic change while fostering a creative and supportive space. Here, participants can envision and strategize for a future where the values explored throughout the course are actively integrated into academia.

Registration procedure

Follow this link for the registration and waiting list.

Your registration will be confirmed by separate e-mail from the Doctoral Schools. Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.

Registration fee

Free of charge for members of the Doctoral Schools. The no show policy applies.

Teaching material

Before the start of the course, participants will be provided with reading materials selected in consultation with the speakers of days two and three.

Number of participants

Language

English

Evaluation criteria (doctoral training programme)

Participants will be evaluated on their attendance of all sessions, preparatory reading and active engagement in the group discussions.