A working group made up of PhD researchers in empirical political science in the Barcelona area. The defining characteristic of the working group is its emphasis on junior researchers sharing early-phase research and receiving feedback from their peers. It is a supportive space where less polished work can be presented without the added pressure of senior scholars. As such, it also helps younger scholars gain experience with discussing and commenting papers, chairing and organizing events. Finally, the working group’s informal nature inspires and facilitates networking and potential collaborations, exchanging information about academic opportunities, sharing personal and professional experiences about the PhD journey and – most importantly – supporting each other.
Sessions are held on the first Friday of every month, in the afternoon – excluding the summer months (July and August) and the months when the PhD Workshop takes place (June and December). Each session features a PhD student presenting their work, followed by a discussant and an open conversation. The sessions are followed by a social activity – with an emphasis on building community, not on formality. The location of the session rotates, such that it is held at a different university each month – as do the roles of presenter and discussant.
The next session will be on Friday, January 9th at 4:30pm, hosted by the UB. Sign up to the BANPS mailing list to stay informed.