welcome to the ecpr student guide to membership year 2013–14
european consortium for political research
the professional association of the political science community
from day one of your career...
...the ECPR will provide you with the tools and
From cutting-edge training in the full range of research methods to support your PhD, through to delivering your first paper at an international event... and everything in-between and beyond. The ECPR is the professional association of the political science discipline. Membership to the ECPR is institutional. That means that if your university is a member, you are a member, and if you are a member you are entitled to a whole range of benefits. You are receiving this guide now because your university has just joined for the forthcoming year (October 2013 - September 2014). This short guide highlights the key benefits available for students and young scholars, but for more information please see the website www.ecpr.eu. Stay in touch... Keep your MyECPR account up-to-date to receive monthly e-bulletins, jobs vacancies, publishing and event news Follow us on Twitter @ECPR Like us on Facebook Join us on Linkedin
networks to succeed.
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expert training... ... at the ECPR Methods School. A solid grounding in research methods is essential for all young scholars. The ECPR’s Methods School provides high-quality, cuttingedge training in methods and techniques over two separate events currently held in Vienna in the winter (the Winter School) and Ljubljana in the summer (the Summer School). Taught by experts in the field and supported by skilled Teaching Assistants, courses cover the full range of methods required for successful research and analysis, from ‘Statistical Programming’ to ‘Political Anthropology Methods’. Courses run alongside a plenary programme of lectures and social events designed to enhance the participants’ overall experience and help prepare them for the challenges of professional life. Participants can attend either one single event or follow a threestage programme that will take them from introductory to advanced level. ECTS credits are awarded for successful completion of the Methods Schools. ECPR members receive a reduced fee and can apply for funding.
european consortium for political research - www.ecpr.eu follow us @ECPR
ECPR Official Representatives Because the ECPR’s membership is institutional each member university appoints an Official Representative (OR) who is the key point of contact between that institution and the organisation. The OR’s job is to promote the ECPR throughout their institution, ensuring that all individuals benefit from membership. They also represent their university on the ECPR’s Council, its governing body. To find out who your OR is log in to your MyECPR account and see ‘Institution Members’.
real experience... ... at the ECPR Graduate Student Conference. Delivering a paper to a room full of your peers can be one of the most daunting experiences of your professional life, especially if it’s your first time. That is why the ECPR established its Graduate Student Conference; to give students valuable, professional, real-life experience of attending a large, international event. The conference follows the traditional format of Sections and Panels and students take on every role, from Section Chair through to discussant. The academic content is set against a plenary programme of lectures from high-profile speakers, roundtables on subjects pertinent to the young scholar (such as ‘how to get published’) and a social programme designed to facilitate networking. ECPR members pay a reduced fee and can apply for funding to attend.
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developing networks... ... with the Graduate Student Network (GSN). Developing an extensive international network is vital at all stages of your career. The ECPR currently has over 300 institutional members worldwide, which equates to over 10,000 individuals working in the field of political science and international relations. With a network so large, the ECPR is experienced in bringing people together; through events, electronic communications or organised groups. Whilst all organised networks (such as the ECPR’s Standing Groups – see the website for more information) are open to scholars at all stages of their career, the ECPR’s Graduate Student Network was created with the aim of facilitating postgraduate academic research activity and networking. Run by students for students, and supported by the ECPR, it aims to help young academics make those first, vital, connections. Membership is open to any graduate student, PhD candidate or post-doctoral researcher enrolled at an ECPR member institution.
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get published... ... with the ECPR Press and the Jean Blondel Prize. Getting your first book published can be one of the greatest challenges when beginning your career; the ECPR can help. Every year the ECPR awards the Jean Blondel PhD Prize to the most outstanding PhD thesis presented at an ECPR member institution. One of the judging criteria for the Prize is that the work would make a good book, and as such the winner is offered a publishing contract with the ECPR Press. Established in 2005 and with an expanding list of over 70 titles, the ECPR Press has developed a strong reputation in the political science community. Yet, housed within the ECPR, and with an editorial team of senior academics and industry professionals, it still remains true to the mission of the ECPR which is to support both the young academic and the very senior professor equally. The ECPR also has an extensive publishing portfolio beyond the Press, including its flagship journal, the European Journal of Political Research (EJPR) and its newer, general journal, European Political Science Review (EPSR). Whilst your library should have an online subscription to both of these leading academic journals, one print copy of each is also sent to your Official Representative (OR) – to find out who your OR is, visit the website. The ECPR also publishes the professional journal of the discipline, European Political Science (EPS). This journal is a key resource for students entering the profession, filled with articles from leading international academics discussing the hot subjects currently affecting the profession. ECPR members receive this free online, via their library as well as a print copy to the OR.
european consortium for political research - www.ecpr.eu follow us @ECPR
support your studies and kick-start your career...
2014 events Winter School in Methods and Techniques University of Vienna. 14 - 21 February 2014 Joint Sessions of Workshops University of Salamanca. 10 - 15 April 2014 Graduate Student Conference University of Innsbruck. 3 - 5 July 2014 Research Sessions University of Essex. 8 - 11 July 2014 Summer School in Methods and Techniques University of Ljubljana. 24 July - 9 August 2014 General Conference University of Glasgow. 3 - 6 September 2014