Category Archives: News

OPEN CALL – PhD IS-UP Winter School

Imagined Territories: Visual Methods and Spatial Storytelling4th to 6th February 2026

Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Porto, Portugal
Images accompany us constantly, shaping how we remember the past and imagine the future. They are always cultural and social productions, capable of generating meaning through both the visible and the invisible. In a context of visual hyperstimulation — from surveillance screens to social networks, from maps to collective memories — the question is not only whether we see, but how we see, and what impressions, memories, and interpretations we bring to our understanding of the world: its inequalities, its senses of belonging, the ways in which power is (re)produced, and how meanings crystallize in the spaces we inhabit.
In a time marked by uncertainty, displacement, and fragmentation, visual methods offer us not only tools of observation but also of (re)connection — ways of understanding relationships, networks, and invisible flows that structure territories and modes of life often overlooked by traditional social science methods.
The Winter School “Imagined Territories: Visual Methods and Spatial Narratives” invites us to reflect on the image as both method and narrative — as a means of exploring how people imagine, inhabit, and transform space. Images fix time and make the absent present: they are windows into lived experiences, social tensions, and shared hopes. Over the course of two days, key theoretical and ethical aspects of visual methods will be discussed, alongside practical workshops in which participants will learn and deepen techniques for data collection and analysis.
This program brings together guests from diverse fields to think about and experiment with how territories can be observed, represented, and reinvented through visual methodologies and creative research practices. If, as Picasso said, “every image is a lie that tells the truth,” then our task is to learn to read those truths — to uncover what they reveal about our territories, our memories, and our ways of being together. To look, once again, not only to record the world but also to imagine new possible worlds.

Target audience:

Anyone (national or international) with an interest in the topics covered.

Fees:

General Admission (students included) – 55 euros
Reduced Social Fee* – 35 euros

*This fee is available for those who may find the General Admission Fee a barrier to participation

Registration until December 31, using the form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEPWedrjCUJ_K6GiH5ZDvh4xtAhT98n_iRbuKdcBOhrEwrCQ/viewform?pli=1

For more information:isupphdclub@gmail.com

Hope to see you in Porto!

PhD Winter School Organizing Committee,
Ana Broda Santos
Ana Cíntia Sales
Beatriz Lacerda
Catarina Figueiredo
Francisca Teixeira
Rúben Elias
Tiago Pinto

IS-UP_PhD Winter School Call FULL INFO SHEET

RN37 Board Solidarity Statement with the Palestinian People

The Board of the ESA Research Network 37 on Urban Sociology condemns the ongoing violence against the Palestinian people. The forced displacement of population, the continuous bombing and killing of civilians, the blocking of humanitarian aid and the targeted killing and restrictions on journalists all signal an ongoing genocide.

Since the 7 October 2023 massacre of 1,195 Israelis, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks, including nearly 19,000 children. Aside from this horrifying human toll, the whole Palestinian society is being erased through what can be called an urbicide.

The term “urbicide” refers to widespread and deliberate destruction of the urban environment. It captures a distinct form of violence targeting buildings and infrastructure, and leading to the displacement of populations, the dismantlement of social and cultural networks, and the erasure of collective memory.

The destruction of entire cities and neighbourhoods in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army is a clear manifestation of the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine.

Gaza is a densely populated urban environment, including major cities and eight refugee camps. Cities can also die. Reminiscing of the legend according to which Rome decided to raze Carthage to the ground, and to sterilize its soil with salt so that nothing would ever grow there again, the urban fabric of the Gaza strip is being annihilated. Cities are not only essential to livelihood, but they are also highly symbolic and constitute a space in which to stage the destruction and negation of enemy.

This systematic destruction of building and infrastructure aims to erase the Palestinian national and cultural identity, impose permanent forced displacement, prevent return, dismantle communities, and eradicate their collective memory.

Aerial bombardment, remote demolition by explosives, and bulldozing of homes and civilian infrastructure constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and demands immediate intervention, accountability, and justice for the victims.

The ongoing urbicide in Gaza, however, did not begin after the 7 October 2023 massacre of Israeli civilians. Gaza’s history of violence, marked by military occupation, blockade, siege, and repeated military rampages, has been incessant. “Bulldozing has been used as a weapon of collective and individual punishment and intimidation, and as a means of shaping the geopolitical configuration of territory, since Israel’s independence in 1948”[1].

The RN37 Board calls for an end to the genocide in Gaza and the end of the occupation and colonisation of the west bank.

 N.B.: The Beirut Urban Lab is leading a mapping project to track urbicide and document damage to the different components of the built environment, including buildings, green and open spaces, and institutions such as universities, schools and hospitals, as well as agricultural land and infrastructure. The project wants to keep a record of the violence against Gaza’s culture, education, buildings and the environment (https://beiruturbanlab.com/en/Details/1977).


[1] Graham, S. (2004). Constructing urbicide by bulldozer in the Occupied Territories. Cities, war, and terrorism: Towards an urban geopolitics, p.197. See also Weizman, E. (2004). Strategic Points, Flexible Lines, Tense Surfaces. Cities, war, and terrorism: Towards an urban geopolitics, pp. 172-191.

 

VI Midterm Conference Coimbra 2025 – Registration deadlines

At the following link (https://forms.gle/qz361qLazHcHKPzb9) you can find the registration form with some logistical info and the instructions for the fee payment (July 4 is the early bird deadline, and July 20 is the late registration deadline)

Once you have submitted your registration, please check your mailbox to see if you have received an automathic reply, otherwise contact us (for this issue or any other question) at rn37.esa@gmail.com 

Again, thank you all and look forward to seeing you in Coimbra!

Call for Applications – II RN37 Summer School for Young Urban Scholars, Figueira da Foz, September 1-2

NEW Deadline is scheduled on April 11th, 2025

This initiative is designed for PhD students and young non-tenured researchers in urban studies. Building on the success of the first edition held in Genoa in 2023, this second edition continues our commitment to providing an enriching space for developing research skills, fostering interdisciplinarity, and engaging with renowned scholars in urban sociology.

Activities of the Summer School will include:

1. Keynote Lectures;

2. Methodological Workshops : a) Mixed methods, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, fieldwork and digital data in urban studies research; b) Visual methods focusing on affective cartography;

3. Roundtables: a) Academic integrity and ethical issues in research; b) Places of speech and diversity of narratives; c) Participatory approaches;

4. Sharing Research: Young scholars share and debate their papers withpeers and senior scholars;

5. Publish do not perish: Researchers and librarians share information andpractical knowledge of useful techniques, practices of writing, and interactingwith academic publishers.

Applicants must submit to rn37.esa@gmail.com the following documents:

1. A motivation letter (max 2 pages) outlining their interest in the Summer School and how it aligns with their research goals.

2. A CV (max 5 pages) highlighting academic and researchachievements.

More details about contents, deadlines and fees on the attached file:

Call Summer School RN37_New Deadline

We are looking forward to seeing you all in Portugal!

VI ESA RN37 Midterm Conference – Call for Abstracts is now open!

We are pleased to announce that the call for abstracts is now open for our upcoming midterm conference. We invite you all to submit your work for consideration.

Full info: Call for Abstracts

Abstract proposals should be submitted by NEW DATE May 24th 2025 through the following link
Abstracts
sent by e-mail will not be accepted.

Abstracts should not exceed 250 words and must be submitted in English.
Abstracts must clearly articulate the core thesis and conceptual framework when presenting theoretical contributions. Additionally, for empirical presentations, the abstract should outline methodological assumptions and preliminary results to provide a comprehensive overview of the research approach and findings.

Authors will be asked to select just one session to submit their abstract.

Each applicant may submit only one abstract as first author, regardless of the session. In case of multiple submissions, the abstract submitted first will be considered for review.

Accepted authors/co-authors have to register as participants if they want to present their paper at the conference and appear in the Book of Abstracts.

A full copy of the paper is not requested (neither before nor after the conference, however specific communication may be shared by Session Organizers).

Abstracts will be peer-reviewed and selected for presentation by the panel chairs.

Most panels will follow a traditional format based on an open call for abstracts (expectedly 15-20 minutes for each presentation with time slots of 90 minutes). Nonetheless, some sessions will have other formats (see the description of each panel).

ESA membership is not mandatory, but members benefit from reduced conference fees!

You can contact the sessions chair(s) about the session topics and contents (see their e-mail addresses in each session description) or the conference organising committee (rn37.esa@gmail.com) for logistical info.

VI ESA RN37 Midterm Conference & II Summer School for Young Urban Scholars – Calls for Sessions and Applications – DEADLINE EXTENSION

The Research Network 37 – Urban Sociology (RN37) of the European Sociological Association (ESA) is delighted to announce two major upcoming events:

  • VI Midterm Conference: “Decentered Cities: Overlooked Urban Narratives and Shifting Centralities” (September 3-5, 2025, Coimbra)
  • II Summer School for Young Urban Scholars (September 1-2, 2025, Figueira da Foz)
  • NEW deadline for session proposals: March 14, 2025
  • NEW date for communication of the evaluation of proposals: March 17, 2025
  • NEW date for the launch of the call for abstracts: March 21, 2025

These events will bring together researchers, PhD students, and scholars interested in urban sociology to explore contemporary challenges and transformations in urban spaces, with a special focus on overlooked narratives and shifting centralities.

The detailed calls for both the conference abstracts and summer school applications are now open. Please find all information about themes, deadlines, submission guidelines, and registration fees in the attached flyer.

For queries and submissions: rn37.esa@gmail.com
We look forward to welcoming you in Portugal!

RN37 Newsletter 1/2024 is out now

We are delighted to present the Newsletter (3)2024, focusing on the intricate relationship between arts and urban life. This thematic edition represents a significant milestone in our ongoing exploration of urban cultural sociology, bringing together diverse perspectives that illuminate the complex interplay between artistic expression and city spaces.

Under the thoughtful direction of Dr. Oleksandra Nenko, this issue weaves together multiple academic threads to create a rich tapestry of urban cultural analysis. The newsletter bridges urban sociology, sociology of the arts, cultural studies, scholarship on place and space, and artistic research, reflecting the multifaceted nature of contemporary urban life.

This interdisciplinary approach is particularly timely as we seek to understand our cities not just as physical spaces, but as living, breathing entities shaped by cultural practices and artistic interventions. The convergence of these various fields of study offers unique insights into how arts and culture serve as both lens and catalyst in urban environments, helping us comprehend and reshape our understanding of city life.

The visual elements, carefully crafted by Beatriz Lacerda, complement the scholarly content and enhance the newsletter’s ability to communicate complex ideas about urban cultural dynamics. This marriage of form and content exemplifies our commitment to exploring urban sociology through multiple modes of expression.

Our third shows ESA RN37 Board Members’ dedication to fostering dialogue across disciplinary boundaries, demonstrating how the arts can illuminate our understanding of urban spaces and communities. We invite readers to engage with these perspectives and contribute to the ongoing conversation about the role of arts and culture in shaping our urban future.

Join us in exploring this thoughtfully curated collection of insights at the intersection of arts and urban life, as we continue to build bridges between different approaches to understanding our cities.

We warmly welcome proposals for future thematic issues from potential guest editors who wish to contribute their unique perspectives and expertise to our growing community – please reach out to us with your ideas for upcoming editions of the RN37 Newsletter.

Call for Hosts – ESA RN37 Mid-term Conference and 2nd Summer School in 2025

Dear All,

Thank you for the big expression of interest in the RN37 sessions hosted at the next ESA conference: we have received more than 150 submissions. We think this is confirmation of the solidity of our network, since this represents an important increase when compared to the ESA conference in Barcelona. The evaluation of abstracts is close to aend and the results will be communicated soon.

We are now launching a call for hosts for the next RN37 mid-term conference, to be held in 2025.

As you probably remember, our last Midterm conference was held in Berlin on October 2022. It was a very vibrant moment, with almost 250 proposals and over 150 participants. We would like to thank once again the Humboldt colleagues who made it possible, as well as all the speakers who made it so fruitful. During the RN37 Business Meeting in Berlin, the possibility of organizing a 1st ESA RN37 Summer School for Young Urban Scholars was discussed, and the School was held in Genoa in September 2023, with over 100 applicants and 50 participants. The School was very positively evaluated by both participants and speakers, and we really thank them too.

Our intention/proposal now is to organize the 6th mid-term conference in 2025 together with the 2nd summer school. The joint organization of these events could be a great opportunity for everyone and the best way to optimize organizational and logistical efforts, encouraging interaction between junior and senior scholars.

We imagined a “standard” format, to be agreed upon according to the availability of the host institution of course: we envision at least three days for the Summer School (for example from Monday to Wednesday), and the midterm could include the first plenary on Wednesday afternoon and panels on Thursday and Friday, with a conclusion on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning if possible. In other words, this format includes at least five days but, again, calendar and duration are to be agreed with the host institution.

Even if the decision on the location will be made by the next RN37 Board, we think it is very important to launch this call now in order to encourage in time applications and considerations on all the issues.

This topic will also be part of the the agenda of our RN37 Business Meeting in Porto, which is open to all the RN37 members. However, we invite potential hosts to contact the Board by Friday, May 3, 2024 in order to open the debate and start the first conversations regarding potential applications.

Reach us at Urban Sociology rn37.esa@gmail.com

We are also available for any questions or clarification. Looking forward to seeing you in Porto!

The RN37 Board (Anna, Madalena, Katarzyna, Gabriele, Niccolò, and Rui)

16th ESA Conference, Porto 2024

The European Sociological Association (ESA) is pleased to announce the CFP opening for the 16th ESA Conference, scheduled to take place in the city of Porto, Portugal, from August 27th to 30th, 2024. 

The conference, themed “Tension, Trust, and Transformation,” promises to be a dynamic and engaging moment for sociologists and scholars from around the world.

To ensure your participation, don’t miss the abstract submission deadline on January 15th, 2024.

Abstracts must be submitted through the conference platform at www.conftool.com/esa2024

We greatly appreciate your commitment and efforts to motivate your colleagues to participate and make the ESA 2024 conference another great and successful event.

We are looking forward to receiving you in Porto!
CALL FOR PAPERS HERE

RN37 Newsletter Issue 2/2023 – call for contributions

We are looking for contributions to Issue 2/2023 of ESA RN37 Newsletter. Your contributions in a form of:

  • info on research programmes (ongoing and incoming), including
    calls for cooperation
  • summaries of recent PhD theses
  • reflections on recent articles (journal, media, newspaper) that could / should resonate with the research community
  • incoming books, reviews of books, etc 
  • visual materials (photos, photo essays, collages, sketches)
  • voices from places – short urban stories from where you are, accompanied by visual pieces
  • … and other types of materials you consider worth sharing with the RN37 community using the Newsletter platform.

Written contributions should not exceed 3000-4000 words with all add-ons. We do accept shorter written forms, though.

Make sure to send the written material in .doc or .docx format to avoid mistakes in formatting. Any visual materials should be send as attachments or, if too big, as links to
virtual drives or should be sent using platforms for sending large files (e.g. weFile, etc.)
Please, feel free to circulate this invitation among potentially interested contributors outside ESA RN37 network.

Send your contributions to: rn37.esa@gmail.com, mentioning Newsletter 2/2023 by October 1, 2023 [EXTENDED TO November 30th, 2023]

In case of any questions, please feel free to contact Issue 2 Editors:
Katarzyna Kajdanek: katarzyna.kajdanek@uwr.edu.pl
Niccolò Morelli: niccolo.morelli@unige.it

1st Summer School for Young Urban Scholars (updated program now available)

What we are organizing

The RN37 – Urban Sociology of ESA is organizing its first Summer School for Young Urban Scholars, an event entirely dedicated to PhD students and young non-tenured researchers.
This event will be held in Genoa (Italy) on September 4-6, 2023.

Why we are organizing it

This event is the result of the continuation of a path that started with the Young Scholars Pre-Conference Day in Berlin last October 4, before RN37 V Midterm Conference. It also draws on feedback that emerged during the RN37 Business Meeting in Berlin with the RN37 members and the young scholars who joined to the conference.

This event is planned to strengthen specific urban research skills, foster soft skills and interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary expertise. PhD students and young non-structured scholars will also be able to discuss and receive feedback on their work from senior researchers with high reputation in urban studies.

Eligibility

People who are interested in joining the Summer School are requested to:  

  • Submit a motivation letter (max 2 pages) and a CV (max 5 pages) to rn37.esa@gmail.com
  • In case they are accepted, applicants will be requested to submit a full draft of a paper/proposal/chapter to receive a feedback during the summer school.

Deadlines

  • March 31, 2023: submission of motivation letter and CV to rn37.esa@gmail.com
  • April 15, 2023: communication of the selection result to the applicants
  • April 17, 2023 – May 17, 2023: opening and closing of registrations.
  • June 15, 2023: end of possibility to ask for refund in case of non-participation.
  • July 15, 2023: submission of papers/proposal/chapters to rn37.esa@gmail.com

Registration fees

  • 75€ for ESA members
  • 100€ for non-ESA members
  • Registration fees include: coffee breaks, lunches, the social dinner of September 5, and the urban walk
  • Registration fees do not include travel and accommodation (although we will give some information about accommodation timely)

Program

The detailed programme is now available:

Summer School Program (updated 31/08/2023)

RN37 Board

  • Gabriele Manella (University of Bologna, Italy), Coordinator
  • Katarzyna Kajdanek (University of Wroclaw, Poland), Vice-Coordinator
  • Anna Bednarczyk (Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland), Board Member
  • Madalena Corte-Real (ISEC Lisboa / Nova University Lisbon, Portugal), Board Member
  • Niccolò Morelli (University of Genoa, Italy), Board Member
  • Rui Carvalho (Brown University, Providence, United States), PhD Student Representative.

Local Board

  • Niccolò Morelli (University of Genoa)
  • Paolo Parra Saiani (University of Genoa)
  • Daniela Preda (University of Genoa).