Nominations Open: UNIC Thematic Lines Best Paper Awards 2026

We are pleased to announce the UNIC Thematic Lines Best Paper Awards, which will be presented at the UNIC 2nd Thematic Conference, “Institutions in Transition: Justice, Security, and Well-Being in Post-Industrial Cities,” hosted by Koç University from 17–19 June 2026 in Istanbul.

These awards recognize outstanding scholarly contributions that advance UNIC’s mission to address institutional transformation, justice, security, and well-being in Europe’s post-industrial cities. The call is open exclusively to academics and graduate students affiliated with the ten UNIC partner universities.

Eligibility and Thematic Scope

The award is open to original, unpublished, or published academic papers that engage with the central themes of the 2026 conference and contribute to the following UNIC Thematic Lines:

•  •  TL4: Justice, Security, and Institutions
•  •  TL6: Health and Well-being
•  •  TL1: Superdiversity (as a transversal theme intersecting with all topics)

Submissions addressing institutional change, inequality, governance, security, health, care infrastructures, and well-being in post-industrial urban contexts are especially welcome. Interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations are strongly encouraged.

Selection Criteria

1. Contribution to Academic Literature:
   Papers should make a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge, whether in research, educational innovation, or practice.
   
   
2. Innovation in Theory or Methods:
   Submissions should demonstrate originality in conceptual framing, methodological design, or comparative/case-study approaches.
   
   
3. Sound Research Design:
   Papers should articulate a clear research question, robust methodology, and coherent argumentation appropriate to the disciplinary context.

Award Benefits

•  • Two Best Paper Awards, each accompanied by €750 of financial support through the UNIC fund of the recipient’s home institution.
• • For co-authored papers, the award is attributed to the nominating applicant; eligible expenses will be determined according to institutional rules and clarified by WP1/WP5 coordinators.
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• • Please consult the funding allocation rules of your home institution:
  • University of Deusto (PDF link)
  • Malmö University (PDF link)
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Ruhr University Bochum (PDF link)
  • University of Liège (PDF link)
  • Koc University (PDF link)
  • University of Zagreb (PDF link)
  • University College Cork  (PDF link)
  • University of Lodz (PDF link)

Submission and Review Process

•  •  16 March 2026: Submission deadline
•  •  March–April 2026: Initial review by academics from at least two UNIC partner institutions
•  •  April–May 2026: Final selection by a peer-judging panel with representation from WP5 and UNIC Thematic Lines
• •  Winners will be announced prior to the conference to foster community engagement across the alliance

Peer-Judging Process

• •  Each paper will be evaluated by reviewers nominated by WP5 Coordinators at their institutions.
• •  Reviews will include a short narrative assessment and a score based on the selection criteria above.
• •  A cross-institutional panel will then evaluate top-rated submissions, ensuring balance and representation across UNIC universities and Thematic Lines.

Submission Instructions

• •  Submit nominations via email to conference[at]unic.eu, including:
• •  A PDF of the paper (file name: AuthorName_Surname_PaperTitle)
• •  A brief rationale explaining why the paper is being nominated
• •  For co-authored work, specify the applicant submitting on behalf of the team.
• •  Both published and unpublished papers are eligible.
• •  Include a disclaimer on open-access status.
• •  For published papers, include the publication year and citation details.
•  •  Nominations close on 16 March 2026 (23:59 CEST).

For inquiries or additional information, please contact unic@ku.edu.tr. 

We look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating innovative contributions to justice, security, and well-being in post-industrial cities through the UNIC Thematic Lines.