Imiscoe PhD School 2026

The 2026 IMISCOE PhD School invites applications from doctoral researchers to explore international migration dynamics beyond the urban context and shed light on the nexus between space, place. A significant amount of migration happens outside urban centers, in and out of rural and remote contexts, hinterlands, and border areas. The space outside the urban centers is multiple and heterogeneous, ranging from politically and/or economically peripheral and marginal places, characterized by low population density, less dense infrastructure and a focus on close-knit communities to places which are geographically peripheral yet economically advanced, with great innovative potential. Peripheral locations worldwide experience unique yet very diverse challenges and opportunities in migration governance, inclusion, and socio-demographic transformations.

This event critically reflects on the notion of periphery and its implications for migration dynamics. This IMISCOE PhD school will cover theoretical, empirical and practical approaches to migration beyond urban centers. Lectures and seminars by top migration scholars will be complemented by interactive role plays and hands-on workshops. This IMISCOE PhD School also aims to provide not only interdisciplinary scientific excellence in teaching and training, but also an inclusive space for peer-to-peer interactions, exchanges, learning and networking. The PhD School’s setting in the historically multilingual and multicultural, and predominantly rural and mountainous region of South Tyrol provides the ideal context for this event. A field trip organised in collaboration with local NGOs and practitioners in the fields of rural migration governance, refugees and migrant inclusion will provide participants with the opportunity to go beyond academia, learn from, and engage with, practitioners and activists in rural South Tyrol.

The 2026 IMISCOE PhD School “Peripheries in Motion: Migration and Migrant Inclusion beyond the Urban Spheres” will explore international migration dynamics beyond the urban context and shed light on the nexus between space, place, and migration. The scholarship on the “local turn in migration studies” has already highlighted the importance of the local level for immigrant integration and, in doing so, cities have been the primary focus of attention. Ranging from super-diverse metropoles to small or medium-sized towns, the complexities of migration policies and practices in urban areas have thus been well documented. Nevertheless, a significant amount of migration happens outside urban centers, in and out of rural and remote contexts, hinterlands, and border areas. In this context, theorising core–periphery relations in migration research becomes increasingly vital. As migration flows diversify, so too does the role of peripheries, which often act as dynamic intermediaries in global and regional migration systems. Peripheralisation can be understood not as a static condition but as an ongoing process—one that can involve marginalisation but also create opportunities for subversion, innovation, and alternative forms of belonging. Rurality, as a key form of peripherality, brings its own demographic, economic, and political specificities, often marked by labour shortages, aging or leaving populations, and restrictive infrastructures that influence both migrants’ experiences and local responses. Moreover, the relationships between different peripheral areas—such as rural-to-rural migration or translocal networks across borderlands—challenge simplistic center–periphery dichotomies. Peripheries, far from being mere passive recipients of policy or migration flows, emerge as important thinking spaces—offering critical insights "from the margins" that can reshape mainstream understandings of migration, integration, and place-making.

The PhD School addresses the complex intersections of place, governance, identity, economy, and mobility in peripheral regions through five major themes:

• Theorizing the Peripheries in Migration Studies • Peripheral Migration Governance in a comparative and global perspective • Demographic Change and Community Revitalization • Labour, Economy, and Innovation in the Periphery • Intersectionality and Belonging in Peripheral Areas • Climate Change, Environmental Crisis, and “Left-Behindedness”

Among those who have already confirmed their participation as guest lecturers are: Ilke Sanlier, Alice Salimbeni, and Magdalena Banaszkiewicz.

This IMISCOE PhD School also aims to provide not only interdisciplinary scientific excellence in teaching and training, but also an inclusive space for peer-to-peer interactions, exchanges, learning and networking.

To ensure this, all participants will have the opportunity to present their PhD work in form of a “Science Slam”: a competitive event where researchers present their work in a very short time in an engaging, entertaining, and accessible way to a non-expert audience. A selected jury and the audience vote for their favorite presentation. Before the start of the Summer School students will get an online-training on how to prepare their presentations.

In addition, we have planned various interactive and social events, such as a role play, a ‘walk&talk’ tour with local policymakers, and an excursion to a rural and remote reception center, and welcome and good by drinks.

Join a unique summer school that combines academic depth with hands-on engagement, open dialogue, and creative formats:

• Interactive Lectures & Discussions: Short expert inputs followed by in-depth discussions, encouraging active student–expert interaction.

• Fieldtrips & Walk & Talk Sessions: On-site visits and informal walks with policy-makers, activists, and local stakeholders to connect theory with practice. • Future Lab: A collaborative space to co-create innovative ideas and strategies for the future with peers and invited guests.

• Science Slam (voluntary): Students present their research in a fun, engaging way to their peers and a non-expert audience—boosting public communication skills and peer learning.

This summer school is more than just lectures—it's a space to explore, connect, and co-create change.

The IMISCOE Phd school is hosted by the Center for Migration and Societal Change at Eurac Research (Bolzano/Bozen, South Tyrol, Italy) which brings together an interdisciplinary team of scholars dedicated to studying migration, diversity, and societal change from multiple perspectives, including political science, sociology, anthropology, and linguistics.

The PhD school takes place in cooperation with IMISCOE the largest interdisciplinary network of scholars in the field of migration. The research network currently consists of 71 research institutes from different countries around the world and from various disciplines including sociology, political science, anthropology, economics, law, demography, public administration, geography and history.

The Hosting City

Bolzano/Bozen is the capital of South Tyrol, an autonomous province in northern Italy known for its unique blend of Italian, German, and Ladin language communities, stunning Alpine landscapes, and rich history as a meeting point between the Mediterranean and Central Europe. Bolzano/Bozen’s location in a border region—at the crossroads of Italy, Austria, and Germany—adds another dimension to its significance in migration studies. Situated along key European migration routes, South Tyrol has historically been a place of transit, settlement, and cultural exchange. Today, it remains a crucial site for understanding border dynamics, mobility, and transnational migration policies.

The city is the provincial hub of research and innovation, home to Eurac Research, the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, and several international institutions focused on topics such as multilingualism, minority rights, and sustainability. It is also renowned for its high quality of life, green urban spaces, and lively cultural scene. Museums, historical sites, and local markets reflect its diverse heritage, while nearby hiking trails and vineyards invite visitors to explore the surrounding nature.

The region’s multilingual and multicultural identity and strategic location make it an ideal place for a summer school dedicated to migration and diversity, providing both an inspiring academic environment and a dynamic social setting.

Getting to Bolzano/Bozen

By Air:

The nearest international airports are Innsbruck (Austria), Verona, Milan, Munich, and Venice. From these airports, Bolzano/Bozen can be reached by train or shuttle services in 1.5 to 4 hours.

The small Bolzano Airport (BZO) also offers a limited number of international flights.

By Train:

Bozen/Bolzano is a key stop on the Verona–Brenner railway line, with direct trains from cities like Munich, Innsbruck, Verona, Bologna, and Rome. High-speed trains (Frecciarossa and Italo) connect Bolzano/Bozen with the national railway network.

By Bus:

Several long-distance bus services, including FlixBus and regional connections, provide affordable travel options to and from Bolzano/Bozen.

By Car:

Bolzano/Bozen is easily accessible via the A22 Brenner Motorway, connecting northern Italy with Austria and Germany.

Scholarships

We offer a limited number of scholarships for those who require financial assistance. This includes reduced tuition fees, tuition fee waivers or travel and accommodation grants. If this applies to you, please inform us about specific financial barriers to your participation in the application form.

Tuition fee

For IMISCOE member institutions from EU/OECD countries 320€

For participants from IMISCOE member institutions in non-EU/OECD countries 150€

For students from non-IMISCOE institutions in EU/OECD countries 420€

For students from non-IMISCOE institutions in non-EU/OECD countries 220€

Lunches and coffee breaks will be provided.

Accommodation: We will reserve double rooms at the Kolping Hostel in the center of Bolzano/Bozen at a cost of approximately 70€/night/person (incl. breakfast).

Who Should Apply?

The school welcomes PhD researchers whose work relates to migration and mobility beyond urban contexts. We aim to select max. 30 participants from various disciplines, nationalities, academic institutions and career stages. We particularly encourage applications from scholars from underrepresented backgrounds and institutions. We are committed to making the PhD School accessible to all participants. If you have specific accessibility needs or require accommodations (e.g., related to disability, caregiving responsibilities, or other circumstances), please let us know in the application form. We will do our best to provide the necessary support to ensure your full and meaningful participation.

Application process

Submit the following documents via this link:

1. CV (To support our commitment to diversity and inclusion, applicants may optionally share information about their backgrounds)
2. Abstract of your PhD project (max. 400 words)
3. How does your PhD resonate with one or more of the five themes (Peripheral Migration Governance, Demographic Change and Community Revitalization, Belonging, Identity, and Social Inclusion, Climate Change, Environmental Crisis, and Indigenous Perspectives, Labour, Economy, and Innovation in the Periphery) of the PhD School (max. 150 words)

If you apply for the bursary, please explain why you need financial support (max. 150 words). Priority for bursaries will be given to applicants from under-resourced institutions, non-OECD countries, and those facing systemic barriers to academic participation, such as racial or ethnic discrimination, gender inequality, disability-related exclusion, limited access to research funding, visa restrictions, or political instability in their home countries.

Application Deadline: 10 November 2025

Notification of Acceptance: 5 December 2025