Younger researchers who are exploring aspects of Cultural Policy at a European level can too easily be or feel isolated, especially when the outcomes of their work are expected or predicted to have a real impact on future developments.  Those who have been in the field for some time are likely to have developed cross-border contacts and experience, but the ‘younger’ researchers (young in years or young in this field) may find it a little hard to push the door open.

That is why the European Cultural Foundation, ECF, in partnership with The European Network of Cultural Administration Training centers, ENCATC, run each year, a Forum for Young Researchers.  It gives up to 40 of them, drawn from a wide range of different countries, the chance to come together face to face, to discuss common themes, to share and develop ideas, to learn from each other, to consider different approaches to methodology, and often to find partners in cross-border affiliations.

This year’s Forum, the fourth, will take place in Brussels on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 October.  It will be linked with the Cultural Policy Research Award (CPRA) and will start the day before the annual ENCATC conference for educators in the field of arts and cultural policy & management.  There is no fee to be paid for attending the forum.