The much-anticipated MILIEU PhD Summer School marked a significant achievement for the MILIEU project, which is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and building connections within the research community. The event which took place from July 12 to 16, 2023, in the picturesque setting of Borovetz, Bulgaria, stood out as a highlight among the project’s multifaceted activities for 2023.
The summer school welcomed 21 early-stage researchers and nine staff members from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Philosophy and Sociology (IPS-BAS), Complutense University of Madrid (UCM, Spain), University of Genoa (UniGe, Italy), and University College London (UCL, UK). The gathering’s goal was not only to impart knowledge, but also to inspire the next generation of scholars who share MILIEU’s values.
The summer school offered a perfect blend of serious academic exploration and creative inspiration against the backdrop of the renowned “Rila Hotel,” nestled in the heart of Borovetz—a favourite among European hiking and winter sports enthusiasts. With the stunning views as a backdrop, daily workshops and evening bonding activities such as karaoke, movie nights, spa sessions, and social games provided participants with a well-rounded experience.
The extensive programme included a variety of expertly curated sessions, with an emphasis on both research depth and fostering a creative environment. Writing abstracts for conferences and articles, project presentations, effective communication in academia, time and stress management, publishing in Scopus and Web of Science, gender and disability in research, and building academic profiles were among the topics covered in workshops.
The summer school exceeded expectations with an excellent attendance and participation record, thanks to a team of ambitious lecturers and highly motivated students. The event concluded with a reflection session in which organisers Lyuba Spasova, Shaban Darakchi, and Aleksandra Traykova engaged with students, collecting feedback and assisting participants in charting paths for incorporating MILIEU knowledge into their research fields and future academic careers.
Congratulations to everyone involved, and the MILIEU team anticipates more fruitful collaborations and opportunities in the future.
