EUPRERA PhD Seminar

(Applications for the 2025 edition are now open.)

Höllviken, the coastal town where the 2025 EUPRERA PhD seminar will take place, is located in southern Sweden, near the Öresund Strait and is known for its sandy beaches and scenic coastal landscapes.

The aim of the EUPRERA PhD seminar, which takes place every year soon before the EUPRERA annual congress, is to provide an international setting where doctoral students within public relations and strategic communication can present their ongoing work, get feedback from experts and peers and establish a valuable network for the future.

Was really helpful and I’ve also got some clear idea for my future works.

A chance to get input from someone with different perspectives and ideas on how to continue my work.

Participating in the EUPRERA PhD seminar was a great opportunity for me to discuss my own dissertation project with PhD students and senior scholars in a very constructive atmosphere.

Expect to meet PhD students from across Europe and beyond, train your presentation and feedback skills in an intercultural setting, and think out-of-the-box.

Helpful feedback from experts and peers, very much time for every paper.

You’ll also receive first-hand advice on publication strategies and how to pursue an academic career.

Next PhD Seminar

The 18th EUPRERA PhD seminar will be held in Höllviken on September 22-24, 2025
(arrival on September 21), before the EUPRERA annual congress in Lund, Sweden.

The seminar is intended for early/mid-stage PhD students in public relations, organisational communication, and/or strategic communication. It provides an international setting for the next generation of scholars. During three days, participants will get the chance to network and discuss their work in depth and get feedback from experts and peers. Active participation is expected, meaning that everyone prepares comments on papers which are distributed in advance. In addition, two designated respondents will be appointed per paper and will provide written feedback ahead of the seminar dates. The seminar will also include presentations and discussions around topics such as the process of writing a PhD, developing an academic career, and the relationship between PhD student and advisor.

There will be a limited number of 10 participants. The submissions will go through a selection process. The deadline for applications is June 1st.

Application requirements and process

• A one-page abstract presenting the dissertation (must explicitly address public relations, organisational communication, and/or strategic communication) and proof of enrolment in a PhD programme to be sent to Jens Seiffert-Brockmann (Jens.Seiffert-Brockmann@wu.ac.at) by June 1st.

The abstracts will go through a review process focusing on quality and potential before a decision regarding acceptance is made by June 30th. If accepted, participants are expected to confirm their attendance and submit the following:

• A 10-page paper based on their PhD project (by August 31st). The paper should follow the standard structure of introduction of the topic of interest, research question, literature review of the theory that is or will be applied, description and discussion of the methodological approach, analysis/discussion, and (tentative) conclusion. If the dissertation is article-based, it is possible to pull out one of the articles and present this alongside an introduction note detailing the context of the piece. You should also pose three questions concerning the type of feedback you are looking for.
• One page of comments for each of the two papers (will be allocated after August), addressing the quality of the research questions, theory, method and/or analysis, to be distributed to the participant. Deadline: to be defined, it will be a few days before the seminar.
  

Acceptance criteria

The seminar is suited for early/mid-stage PhD students in public relations, organizational communication, and/or strategic communication.

1. Academic and Research Background

• Proof of enrolment in a PhD program or recommendation from a PhD supervisor
• Submission of a research paper relevant to strategic communication/public relations

2. Research Paper Evaluation

• Originality and Contribution: New ideas, methods, relevance, and addressing a gap in research.
• Theoretical Framework: Depth of understanding, integration of literature, and critical analysis.
• Methodology: Suitability, clarity, and ethical considerations.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Rigor, coherence, and insightfulness.
• Structure and Organisation: Clarity, logical flow, and consistency.
• Impact and Implications: Practical relevance, suggestions for future research, and generalizability.
• Writing Quality: Grammar, syntax, formatting, and clarity of expression.

3. Commitment to Participation

• Willingness to participate in all seminar activities.

4. Diversity and Inclusion

• Diverse academic backgrounds and geographical representation.

5. Previous attendance

• There are 10 seats available. A maximum of 1 of these might be granted to a student who has participated previously. In case of fewer than 10 applicants, this number can increase.

The organisers of the PhD seminar will convene after the submission deadline to make a decision based on the above criteria.

Programme and presentations

A detailed program will be distributed in early September.

An important role of the PhD seminar is the opportunity to network with peers. It is important to allocate the working hours as well as the time for socialising with the seminar group. Therefore, you should not plan private tourist activities during the seminar days.

It is highly recommended that PhD students attend the congress as well as the seminar. You can take advantage of the special package fee including both events (registration instructions will be sent after the abstract approval). During the congress, a panel session will be set aside for the students to present.

Registration

To register for the PhD seminar, first you need to submit your application and then, if approved, you will get the seminar registration code.

Registration fees:

Seminar only – 475 EUR
The fee includes the seminar materials, accommodation and full board from Sunday evening to Wednesday afternoon. Transfer to and from the location is not included.
Seminar and Congress – 675 EUR
The fee includes the seminar materials, accommodation, full board from Sunday evening to Wednesday afternoon, and the Congress registration fee. Accommodation during the congress days has to be organised and paid for by the participant, as well as transfers. Congress info: www.euprera.org/congress2025.

More info

Please contact the PhD seminar coordinator, Jens Seiffert-Brockmann (Jens.Seiffert-Brockmann@wu.ac.at).

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