Call for Papers: ValEUs 2026 Online Graduate Student Conference

"Youth, Politics, and Public Sphere"

 

Dates: 29–30 May 2026
Location: Al Akhawayn University, Morocco (Online)
Website: valeus.eu

ValEUs Jean Monnet Network, hosted by Al Akhawayn University, announces a Call for Papers for the 2026 Graduate Student Conference. This year’s conference explores the multiple dimensions of youth engagement in politics and the public sphere, including digital spaces and socio-political activism across the MENA region, Europe, and beyond.

The conference invites Master’s and PhD students to submit papers or panels examining youth participation in political, social, and economic debates. Interdisciplinary contributions are welcome, including research from anthropology, international relations, political science, history, sociology, cultural studies, communication, art, urban studies, and geography.

Suggested Topics

• Youth investment in public and digital spheres to foster new forms of politics

• Legal and institutional frameworks affecting youth political participation

• Creation of physical or virtual spaces for youth engagement

• Forms of public engagement, political participation, and activism

• Representation, inclusion, and exclusion of youth voices

• Influence of digital media on political participation and perceptions

• Youth-led initiatives, subaltern politics, or self-support initiatives

• Experiences of migrant and refugee youth in public spaces and politics

Conference presentations can be delivered in Arabic, French, or English.

Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts: Max 350 words, including topic, research question, hypothesis, and methodology

• Bios: Max 200 words

• Deadline: 16 January 2026

• Acceptance Notification: 20 February 2026

• Submission Email: ValEUs@aui.ma

Papers and panels may address the same topic from different disciplinary perspectives or be incorporated into multi-disciplinary sessions. The conference welcomes submissions from all stages of research.

About the ValEUs Project

The ValEUs Project, led by the European University Viadrina, Germany, is a three-year Jean Monnet Policy Network initiative co-funded by the European Commission under Erasmus+. It examines challenges to EU foreign policy and values, engaging 20 partner institutions from 17 countries. Key areas include migration, asylum policy, and EU enlargement.

Organising Committee

• Driss Maghraoui, Al Akhawayn University

• Nizar Messari, Al Akhawayn University

Scientific Advisory Board

• Timm Beichelt, European University Viadrina

• Angela Bourne, Roskilde University

• Ayhan Kaya, Istanbul Bilgi University

• Driss Maghraoui, Al Akhawayn University

• Nizar Messari, Al Akhawayn University

• Ozge Onursal-Besgul, Istanbul Bilgi University