Early Career Researcher Pre-Conference 2026

ECR Pre-Conference

14 April 2026, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | University of Konstanz, Y Building

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Registration for the ECR Pre-Conference

Registration to the Early Career Researchers Pre-Conference is part of the ConfTool registration process to the general In_equality Conference. Participation is free of charge for attendees of the general conference and can be selected directly during the main conference registration process – no separate registration is required. Registration deadline is 15 March 2026.

Program Overview

2:00 p.m.
Welcome Address (Room Y213)

2:05–3:45 p.m.
Idea Lab – Early-Stage Research Roundtables

Economics Lab (Room Y213) – moderated by Lena Janys, Florian Kunze, Stephan Maurer
Political Science Lab (Room Y311) – moderated by Tim Betz, Marius R. Busemeyer, David Rueda, Gabriele Spilker
Sociology Lab (Room Y310) – moderated by Claudia Diehl, Jonathan Mijs, Merlin Schaeffer

3:45–4:15 p.m.
Coffee Break (Room Y214)

4:15–6:00 p.m.
Publication Strategies for Early-Career Researchers (Room Y213)

Three input talks (15 minutes each).
Q&A session (30 minutes).
Informal discussion and networking with ECRs and senior scholars.

6:30–9:00 p.m.
Evening Program (tbd.)

About

Idea Lab – Early Research Roundtables

In our Idea Labs, ECRs give a 5-minute pitch on early-stage ideas or ongoing projects. Each lab features a number of senior discussants that then provide feedback on conceptual, theoretical, or methodological questions. Participants who want to present in an Idea Lab are asked to submit a short abstract (max. 400 words) that outlines their research question, theoretical framework, methodology, contribution, and any current challenges. Abstracs must be handed in no later than 31 March. Please also indicate which lab you wish to present in (Economics, Political Science, Sociology) and send your abstract to the Conference Mailbox.

Importantly, ECRs are warmly invited to participate in the Pre-Conference even without presenting in the Idea Lab.

Publication Strategies for Early Career Researchers

This session explores key questions of academic publishing, including how to develop an effective publication strategy, choose appropriate journals and formats, and balance visibility with a focused research agenda.

It features three short input talks by senior researchers that offer diverse perspectives and experiences:

Urs Fischbacher (Economics)
Halvard Buhaug (Political Science);
Céline Teney (Sociology);