Dear Master’s and PhD Students,
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the second international Seasonal School 2026 “Beyond Barriers: the Role of Social Sciences in Building Accessibility,” organized by the Doctoral School at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, which will take place on 8–12 June 2026.
The event has an interdisciplinary character and focuses on accessibility as a key challenge for contemporary societies, including access to education, public space, digital technologies, social participation, and cultural resources. The programme offers a rich and engaging academic experience, combining lectures, interactive workshops, seminars, participant presentations, and collaborative group work. It creates a stimulating and welcoming international environment designed to foster intellectual exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue, and lasting academic connections.
Detailed information about the event, programme, and application procedure is available at: https://us.edu.pl/szkola-doktorska/ster/seasonal-schools/beyond-barriers/
The Seasonal School 2026 is organised within the framework of the Blended Intensive Programme (Erasmus+) and the project “International from the beginning – support of internationalization” under NAWA STER programme, supporting international academic mobility and the development of research competences among early-career researchers. Participation in the event is free of charge. Participants from European universities may also receive Erasmus+ BIP funding to support their travel and subsistence costs and will have the opportunity to obtain ECTS credits and a certificate of participation.
Who can participate?
- Master’s and PhD students from across Europe in the fields of social sciences and humanities who are interested in interdisciplinary research, social challenges, and international academic collaboration.
Registration is open until 9 March 2026 via the application form. The number of places is limited.
As part of the application, candidates are asked to prepare a short presentation of their research interests and motivation (preferred format: a video recording of up to 3 minutes) by 13 March 2026. The presentation should be sent via a link to seasonalschool@us.edu.pl or uploaded here: https://ssd.us.edu.pl/index.php/s/ibJmlzSwpkIGuWL.
The University of Silesia in Katowice is one of the leading public universities in southern Poland and a member of the prestigious Transform4Europe European University alliance, playing a key role in the European City of Science 2024 initiative. Located in Katowice – the vibrant capital of the Metropolis GZM and a UNESCO City of Music – the University offers an exceptional academic environment at the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and rapidly transforming metropolitan regions. This unique setting provides an inspiring “living laboratory” for exploring key social, cultural, and technological transformations shaping contemporary societies.
Join us in Katowice and become part of an international academic community exploring the role of social sciences in addressing one of today’s most pressing societal challenges.
We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Best regards,
Organising Committee
Seasonal School 2026
University of Silesia in Katowice