The European Summer School of Criminology

Q - What led to the creation of the European Summer School of Criminology?

A - The European Summer School of Criminology is an initiative of the members of the European Society of Criminology who decided to invest, the product of our resources over decades of conferences and activities of our society, in the training of young European researchers in criminology. Although there are many other activities that can and should be carried out in other multiple domains, none better reflects the idea of “investment” than to do so by training those who are going to be the future of our European criminology. The academic structure of this course is intentionally crafted to leverage the synergies of the Society’s diverse activities and bolster the professional growth of our young researchers.

Q - Can you please identify what students can expect from this summer school? How can students recognize the hallmark of the ESC in this summer school?

A - The fundamental idea of the European Summer School of Criminology is to provide PhD students and early PhD researchers with a comprehensive, practically oriented perspective on developing an academic career in criminology within Europe, by taking criminologists who have been doing it successfully for years as an example. This year, Lausanne serves as the backdrop where participants can forge valuable connections. It’s an opportunity to initiate what Leon Radzinowicz, a notable figure in European criminology, referred to as a life of “adventures in criminology.” We facilitate this by introducing the attendees to the leading figures in European criminological research. Our mentors include distinguished recipients of various ESC awards, ranging from established scholars who have been honoured with the ESC Award, to emerging talents who earned the Young Criminologist Award or the Early Career Award. This approach is the hallmark of the program. This year the mentors are figures such as Michael Levi, Letizia Paoli, Alberto Chrysoulakis, and Jakub Drápal, and we hope to maintain this approach in future years by including ESC award winners in the teaching team. To round out this experience, the University of Lausanne faculty will conduct additional training sessions in research methods and comparative criminology. In addition, the core of the practical guidance will be delivered through specialised workshops designed to help participants navigate the complexities of securing research grants and scholarships.

Q - What do these workshops consist of, and why have you approached teaching at the summer school in this way?

A - Europe is privileged to have institutions like the European Research Council within the European Union, which bestows the prestigious Starting Grants, among many other national and international funding programs dedicated to exceptional projects by young researchers. The European Summer School of Criminology has tailored its training to equip attendees with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete for these grants successfully. Participants will be provided with detailed information and practical training relevant to grant applications. They will have the chance to cultivate their project ideas in team settings and gain insights from experts who have a track record of securing numerous grants. It is a matter of investing the effort and money of the ESC so that younger researchers have every chance to develop the best research projects for our society in the future.

Q - How will the submission and selection process take place? Are there any scholarships available?

The European Summer School of Criminology welcomes early-stage and advanced PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers starting their careers in criminology and related disciplines, such as law, political science, sociology, or anthropology, whose research focuses on crime, deviance, and social control. We have designed a process to select the most suitable students based on their curriculum but, at the same time, considering their potential given their early career. In addition, national origin will also be considered to ensure diversity and representation from countries with varying levels of criminology development and to accommodate all European contexts. The ESC will award two scholarships to
cover the cost of the stay for students coming from Universities in European countries where criminology is less developed. Simultaneously, the University of Lausanne awards two additional Solidarity Scholarships to cover expenses and travel for students who are currently enrolled in a higher education institution located in an ODA recipient country. The application deadline is 15 April 2024. Students are required to submit a manuscript of their choosing by June 1. This submission, combined with their participation in the summer school week, will earn them 2 credit points.

Q - How do you think the summer school can contribute to the development of Criminology and Europe and, thus, to the ESC itself?

A - I believe that there are many long-term benefits to be gained from the implementation of this Summer School, and I think the best indication that this will be the case is in the other activities that the ESC has done. In the past, the Society has established several opportunities, such as the annual Conference, the Working Groups, and the European Journal of Criminology, that have become international references for the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of criminological science, as well as the consolidation of the academic community dedicated to its study. The Summer School is an extension of this legacy; one which focuses on enhancing the educational foundation of young researchers. It is intended
to support the development of future European researchers and the creation of robust networks. More importantly, it is about fortifying the scientific community by looking forward, preparing it to grow and to continue to be significant in the years to come. By launching this Summer School, we are bridging the wisdom of established scholars with the innovative potential of new ones, thus fostering a continuum of knowledge that will benefit our community and the field of criminology as a whole.

Further information here.