Nominations Open: UNIC Thematic Lines Best Paper Awards

We are pleased to announce the initial two UNIC Best Paper Awards, to be presented at the first UNIC Thematic Conference, “Urban resilience, sustainability, and the future of inclusive post-industrial societies,” hosted by Malmö University from 7–9 May 2025. These awards recognize outstanding papers that align with UNIC's mission to foster resilience and renewal in Europe’s post-industrial urban centers. This award is open exclusively to academics and graduate students affiliated with ten UNIC partner universities.

The award is open to original, unpublished or published papers aligning with the themes of  Thematic Lines (TLs) directly engaged in the conference:  

• • TL2: Sustainability and Green Cities 

• • TL3: Urban Resilience and Smart Cities 

• • TL1: Superdiversity (as a transversal theme) 

Submissions will be evaluated for their academic rigor, contribution to the field, and alignment with the above mentioned thematic lines. Collaborative work across UNIC institutions and involving scholars at various career stages is highly encouraged. 

Selection Criteria 

1. 1. Contribution to the Academic Literature: Papers should make a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge, whether in research, educational innovation, or practice. 

2. 2. Innovation in Theory or Methods: Submissions should demonstrate originality in theoretical approaches, methodological frameworks, or the application of novel case studies. 

3. 3. Sound Research Design: Papers should have a clear research question and robust methodology, especially for research-focused submissions. 

Award Benefit 

• • Two Paper Awards will be presented, each accompanied by €750 worth of support through the UNIC fund of the author’s home institution. 

• • Co-authored papers will be awarded to the individual applicant, with eligible expenses clarified by WP1/WP5 coordinators based on institutional policies. 

• • For details on allocation rules, please refer to the rules specified by your 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 
  • University of Lodz (PDF link)

Submission and Review Process

• • 16 March 2025: Submission deadline for Best Paper Award entries. 

• • March-April 2025: Papers will be reviewed by academics from at least two UNIC institutions, each assessing submissions based on the selection criteria. 

• • April-May 2025: A peer-judging panel, representing each alliance university, will finalize the selection. Winners will be announced prior to the conference to foster a sense of belonging within the UNIC community. 

Peer Judging Process 

• • Each paper will be evaluated by academics from at least two institutions, nominated as reviewers by their host institutions WP5 Coordinators.  

• • This initial review will include a short narrative considering the quality of the paper, and a score based on the selection criteria noted above.  

• • After the initial review, a peer-judging panel will review and select from the top-rated papers, with representation from WP5 and Thematic Lines, ensuring a diverse, cross-institutional evaluation. 

Submission Instructions

• • Submit nominations via email to conference[at]unic.eu, including a pdf  version of the paper (named Author Name_ Surname_ Paper Title) and a short comment on why this paper is nominated.  

• • For co-authored submissions, please include a note specifying the applying party.  

• • Both published and unpublished papers are eligible. For all papers, please provide a disclaimer about the paper’s open access status and for published papers, please include the year of publication.  

• • Nominations close on 16 March 2025 (23:59 CEST). 

For questions or further information, please contact conference[at]unic.eu  

We look forward to receiving your contributions and celebrating innovative research at the UNIC Thematic Lines!