Call for Themed Tracks is Now Open
The UACES 57th Annual Conference will take place 30 August - 1 September 2027 at ESSCA School of Management in Bordeaux. The conference will explore how Europe responds to an era of growing uncertainty and transformation. We are now inviting expressions of interest from scholars wishing to convene a Themed Track at the conference
Convening a track is an opportunity to help shape the conference programme, bring together researchers working on shared themes and contribute to the intellectual direction of one of the leading conferences in European Studies.
Whether you are an experienced convenor or considering the role for the first time, we welcome proposals from across the full breadth of European Studies.
What are Themed Tracks?
Themed Tracks comprise a series of panels on related topics that help structure the conference. They cover the full breadth of European Studies across disciplines including law, politics, international relations, geography, history, sociology and economics.
You can find example Theme Tracks from our 2026 conference in Prague here.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Track themes should be broad enough to encompass diverse disciplinary and methodological perspectives. We strongly encourage convenors to attract high-quality submissions that reflect the diversity of our membership in terms of gender, career stage and geographical representation.
UACES will continue to run dedicated tracks on Gender and Sexuality. If you are interested in getting involved with these tracks, please contact us at [email protected].
The Track Convenor Role
Track convenors will:
- Advertise the Call for Papers
- Attract diverse and high-quality submissions to their track
- Review and manage submissions
- Work with the UACES Committee during the review process
- Form panels from accepted submissions
- Support the UACES office with paper and panel management
- Recruit panel chairs and oversee the running of their track at the conference
Support and Timeline
UACES staff will handle registration, timetabling and provide ongoing support to convenors throughout the process.
Submit Your Themed Track Proposal
Before submitting your proposal, please ensure you have the following information ready:
- Your contact details and institutional affiliation.
- The contact details and institutional affiliations of any co-convenors (up to two).
- A concise title for your proposed themed track.
- A short description of the track, outlining its aims and scope (maximum 800 characters).
- The key theme(s) that best describe your proposed track.
Deadline for applications: 16 November 2026.
Themed Tracks FAQs
If you still can't find the answer to your question, please contact us.
- What is a Themed Track?
A Themed Track is a series of related panels grouped under a common theme at the UACES Annual Conference. Tracks help structure the conference programme and create coherent streams for delegates to follow.
- What do track convenors actually do?
Convenors lead the intellectual direction of their track. You'll promote your track theme, review paper submissions, work with UACES to form panels and oversee your track during the conference. UACES staff handle all logistics, registration, and timetabling.
- How much time does it take?
Most intensive during February-April 2027 when reviewing submissions (approximately 10-15 hours total) and again in late July-August to recruit panel chairs and discussants. You'll receive detailed guidance and support from the UACES Office team throughout.
- I've never been a convenor before. Can I still apply?
We welcome first-time convenors and provide full guidance. Consider partnering with a more experienced colleague through co-convenorship if you'd like additional support.
- Can I co-convene with a colleague?
Co-convenorship is encouraged, particularly for early career researchers. It allows you to share the workload and benefit from different networks and perspectives.
- What makes a good track theme?
Good themes are broad enough to attract diverse submissions but focused enough to create coherence. They should be relevant to current debates, open to multiple methodologies and able to accommodate submissions from different disciplinary perspectives.
- How broad should my theme be?
Broad enough to attract 20-40 paper submissions (which will form 5-10 panels) but focused enough that the panels relate meaningfully to each other.
- Will my track theme need to relate to the overall conference theme?
Not directly. Your track can focus on any aspect of European Studies. The conference theme shapes plenary discussions and the overall framing, but individual tracks have autonomy.
- What if my discipline isn't traditionally represented at UACES?
We actively encourage proposals from beyond political science and international relations! Tracks in law, geography, history, sociology, economics and cultural studies have all been successful. Interdisciplinary tracks are particularly welcome.
- What support will I receive?
You'll have a dedicated UACES staff contact, access to communication templates, technical platform support for reviewing submissions and guidance throughout. We will also hold a convenors' orientation session in the new year.
- When will I know if my proposal is accepted?
All convenors will be notified in December. We aim to respond to everyone within two weeks of the deadline.
- What happens after my track is confirmed?
You'll receive a Welcome Pack with timeline, guidance, and templates. In January, the Call for Papers opens and you'll promote your track. February-April, you'll review submissions. May-August, we finalize the programme together. September—conference time!
- Can I promote my track before the official Call for Papers?
Yes. Once confirmed, you're welcome to mention it informally in your networks. However, formal submissions must come through the official UACES system when the Call for Papers opens in January.
- What if I don't receive enough submissions?
UACES promotes all tracks extensively to our membership. If a track receives fewer submissions than hoped, we work with convenors to either merge with complementary tracks or adjust the format. This is rare but we handle it collaboratively.
- Do I need to attend every panel in my track?
No—tracks typically run in parallel across the conference. You should aim to attend some panels and be present for your track's panels where possible, but you don't need to attend every single paper. You will recruit panel chairs who manage individual sessions.
- Is there any funding available?
Convenors pay standard conference registration fees. However, being a convenor is recognised as a significant contribution to the association and the field, offering professional development and networking benefits that extend beyond the conference itself.