ERG Activities

The Emerging Researchers’ Group continues a productive and fruitful cooperation with two journals to provide the opportunity for emerging researchers to submit their work for onward peer review and potential publication:

• the European Educational Research Journal (EERJ)
• Studia Paedagogica

These opportunities build on the ERC Best Paper Award process, where papers initially presented at the ERC are further developed into journal articles and submitted for a two-stage, double-blind formative peer review within the Emerging Researchers’ Group. After this review phase, selected papers proceed to the European Educational Research Journal (EERJ) or Studia Paedagogica, based on the relevance to each journal's focus. A subsequent peer review process is conducted. At Studia Paedagogica, papers undergo a supportive pre-review stage, which offers constructive feedback before they are recommended for the official review process. An example of the impact this process has on emerging researchers in indicated in the following testimony by ERC 2023 Best Paper Winner Alexandra Dannenberg:
"Participating in ERC’s Best Paper Award has been an enriching and rewarding experience. It was my first time writing a research paper and setting it up for competition was very exciting. During the process I received feedback and advice several times: at ERC 2023 from my peers at my presentation and at the article writing workshop, as well as from the BPA reviewers after submission. All of this feedback was very helpful for me to improve upon my paper, but also to learn about writing research articles in general. Winning the award means to me that my work is of relevance and quality, for which I feel so grateful and honored! I would like to thank my advisors Elli Rathgeb-Schnierer and Friederike Heinzel for their advice on my research, as well as Annie Adler and my brother, Tristan Dannenberg, for proofreading my writing in English.'

In the coming year, the network will focus on developing the following initiatives:

• A pre-conference gathering on Tuesday morning, prior to the start of official parallel sessions, featuring representatives from various networks to foster early connections among attendees.
• An online academic writing workshop in collaboration with the editors of Studia Paedagogica, designed to support emerging researchers in refining their writing for publication.
• Online thematic seminars and events tailored for emerging researchers, organized in partnership with other networks, to offer ongoing academic engagement and networking opportunities throughout the year.

We are also exploring the idea of an informal 'walk and talk' activity to encourage networking in a more relaxed setting.

In coordination with the office team, registration for ERC workshops and lunch sessions will transition to a digital format. This shift, possibly using the Whova app or Eventbrite, will be discussed further in the coming months.

Finally, we are working on an innovative ice-breaking and research communication activity, for which we aim to apply for EERA funding. The specifics of this initiative are still in development, and we look forward to sharing more details as they become available.