The EUPopLink COST Action (CA23102) Linking Euroscepticism and Populism: Causes and Consequences invites expressions of interest from members of the Action willing to host the first Training School within the framework of the Action in March-April 2026.
This Training School will be embedded within the broader aims of the COST Action CA23102, which seeks to strengthen theoretical, methodological, and empirical understandings of how populism and Euroscepticism interact, as well as their causes and consequences across European and supranational contexts.
Expressions of interest are invited from MC members of the COST Action (CA23102). Applicants should demonstrate the organizational capacity to host an international event in person (with the option of partial online participation for some trainers or speakers).
This call includes below both the description of the the Training School and the main requirements for the host institution.
Call for the Training School
The EUPopLink COST Action (CA23102) invites applications from master’s students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scholars to attend a Training School dedicated to the study of the linkage between populism and Euroscepticism. These two phenomena can be seen as two sides of the same coin. Both typically denote feelings of resentment against remote and unresponsive elites, and a dislike of undemocratic and untransparent decision-making procedures. It is no surprise, therefore, that the two phenomena are theorised to co-occur, both among political parties on the political ‘supply side’, as well as voters on the ‘demand side’. At the same time, the various crises the EU has witnessed over the past decades (financial, migrant, Brexit) ostensibly created fertile grounds for populist mobilisation. Participants will first be familiarized with the different conceptions of populism and Euroscepticism, before interrogating whether the symbiotic relationship between the two, often assumed in theory, is equally prevalent in practice. Building on recent studies, the Training School will demonstrate that populist and Eurosceptic actors are not necessarily “anti-European,” but rather frame “Europe” in ways that align with their ideological orientations and strategic objectives.
Building on this concise theoretical overview, the Training School will then focus primarily on methodological approaches and practical research training on a variety of research techniques used to study populism and Euroscepticism. In particular, it will focus on:
- Working with expert survey data
- Survey design and implementation of online surveys focusing on populism and Euroscepticism
- Survey experiments
- Examples of data harmonization using the Eurobarometer surveys
These skills are crucial for advancing the empirical dimension of EUPopLink’s research agenda and in particular for the goals of the “Data” WG of this Action.
General Objectives
- To deepen conceptual clarity about Euroscepticism, populism, and their interrelation.
- To strengthen methodological capacity and promote best practices in data collection.
- To enable participants to contribute to the empirical work of Working Group 2 (Data Collection) of EUPopLink.
- To foster cross-national and comparative perspectives, including longitudinal designs, for studying the dynamics of Euroscepticism and populism across contexts.
Who Should Apply
- Master level students, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers affiliated with universities or research institutions in the COST Member Countries participating in this Action
- Applicants with demonstrated interest or ongoing research on populism, Euroscepticism, or related topics, especially those using empirical methods.
- Preference will be given to members primarily engaged with Working Group 2; however, applications from other Working Groups and from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) are also warmly encouraged
Structure and Content
Lectures, workshops, and methodological tutorials led by EUPopLink experts and invited external scholars.
- Tutorials on theory and concepts.
- Practical sessions on survey design, questionnaire translation, data collection, and data processing.
- Break-out sessions where participants present their own research design or data collection plans and receive feedback from trainees.
- Networking activities fostering collaboration across the members of the Action.
Practical Details
- Duration: Two full working days. Participants are expected to arrive one day before the start of the training and depart either late afternoon after the final session or the following day.
- Funding: Eligible participants may receive travel, accommodation, and subsistence support according to COST rules.
- Application Requirements: Applicants should submit a motivation letter (max. 500 words), a one-page CV and a short outline of their research or data collection project.
- Application Deadline: ….
- Notification of Acceptance:….
Main Requirements for the Host Institution
- Availability for two full working days of activities.
- At least 4 rooms:
- One plenary room for lectures and workshops.
- Two breakout rooms for group sessions.
- One computer lab equipped with at least 15 workstations and stable internet access.
- Organization of coffee breaks, lunches, and one social dinner for trainers and trainees.
- A support team of 3–5 student assistants to help with logistics, registration, and participant assistance.
- Capacity to handle both in-person and potential hybrid (online) components.
- Potential dates to host the training school: 5-6 March 2026, 12-13 March 2026, 19-20 March 2026
Proposals Should Include
- Proposed dates of the event.
- Details of the host institution and organizing team (names, affiliations, relevant experience).
- Description of logistical arrangements, including available facilities and local support.
- An indicative list of major international events hosted by the institution in the last three years.
- Any potential synergies with other academic or COST-related activities at the host institution.
Submission Process
- Deadline for submission: 23/11/2025
- Submission email: eupoplink@polsci.auth.gr
- Evaluation: Proposals will be reviewed by the Action’s Core Group. The selected host institution will receive organizational and financial support in accordance with COST rules.
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