The European Society of Criminology Postgraduate and Early-Stage Researchers (EPER)

As the new co-chairs of the European Postgraduate Researchers Group (EPER), we are honoured to take on this role and to contribute to the strengthening of the network of early-stage researchers in criminology. We are researchers with complementary expertise in law, criminology, psychology, and cognitive science. Giulia Lausi is a senior researcher at Vilnius University, holding a PhD in Psychology and Cognitive Science, with specialised training in gender-based violence. Her research explores gender discrimination and violence through a socio-ecological lens. Mariana Sebastião Machado is a doctoral student in Criminology at the University of Porto, where she is also a lecturer on the bachelor’s degree, specialising in aggressive behaviours across different contexts and populations, with a focus on the cognitive and social processes underlying these phenomena.

Our commitment is to expand and revitalise EPER, creating a more dynamic and engaging platform for early-stage researchers. We aim to foster networking, knowledge exchange, and professional growth. Below, we outline our key objectives and actions. We count on you to help us achieve them!

Expanding Membership and Outreach. A key first step in our plan is to gather new members for our Working Group; we will do this through this newsletter, in which we will share our vision of the Working Group and proposed activities through reports. We will endeavour to make contact with other groups of researchers, national and international, to create connections at the European level. When our membership grows, we intend to propose initiatives that can offer young researchers the opportunities to present their work and gain research autonomy.

Revitalising the Annual EPER Meetings. Another priority is to revitalise EPER’s annual meetings, making them a forum for discussion and exchange for researchers in the different areas of criminology, through thematic sessions to address career paths, post-doctoral opportunities.

Strengthening the EPER Communication Network. To further support our members, we plan to develop a newsletter where early-stage researchers can: identify relevant calls for funding; announce calls for papers and publication opportunities; share their research findings; and exchange information on networking and collaboration opportunities. In addition, we intend to organise regular online meetings and dedicated sessions at the annual ESC conference. These will not only provide a platform for presenting one’s research but also include workshops and seminars focusing on career development and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Engaging with Other Working Groups. In our vision, collaboration is essential for academic growth, and our aim is to foster relations between EPER and the other ESC working groups through webinars and joint meetings that aim to create spaces for novice researchers to engage with top academics, discuss emerging trends and address the challenges of academic life.

Strengthening EPER’s presence on social media. We recognise the importance of maintaining an updated and accessible online presence, essential for fostering engagement and expanding researchers’ networks. We aim to actively utilise social media platforms to share research opportunities, announce upcoming events and funding possibilities, and dis- seminate scientific news relevant to young scholars, helping them stay informed about the latest developments in criminology.

Our goal for EPER is to create a dynamic, supportive and collaborative environment in which early-stage researchers can grow. We would like EPER to be a valuable resource for young criminology researchers across Europe. If you are interested in joining the Working Group, we warmly invite you to connect with the working group chairs. Please send an email to mmachado@direito.up.pt and giulia.lausi@tf.vu.lt.

Only together will we be able to strengthen and revitalise EPER. Join us!