Call for applications: ENLIGHT summer school 2026 hosted by the University of Tartu (Estonia)

About the summerschool

The summer school titled “The Age of Abuse: Security Implications of Russia’s Wars” offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Europe’s most pressing contemporary challenges: the insecurities triggered by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the crisis of trans-Atlantic security order. The program of the School invites students to explore the multifaceted consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion and the US unilateralism on European security and national identities. The Summer School will explore the profound shifts in the EU triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from the vantage points of both key European security actors and small states, including those sharing borders with Russia. Bringing together students, scholars, and experts, it will provide a platform to critically examine the ways in which these changes have reshaped institutions, norms and strategic narratives across Europe.

The program of the school is focused on such acute questions as: How has the Russo - Ukrainian war transformed perceptions of security in Europe and beyond? Why has the perspective from Eastern Europe and post-Soviet spaces been historically overlooked, and what can be learned from centering these voices? What policies – at the European, national, and regional levels – can help address the emerging insecurities in political, social, and economic domains? Participants will engage with a range of key topics, including the evolving roles of the EU and NATO in shaping European security, lessons from past integration efforts, and the future of European political and economic cooperation. The program will also examine the cultural and political implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the impact of the conflict on national borders, and the development of regional security frameworks.

As an additional bonus for participants the organizers offer a registration fee waiver for attending a major annual conference on East European and Eurasian Studies hosted by the Johan Skytte Institute on June 10-12, 2026. Those who wish to use this opportunity as an academic warm-up before the School will have to arrange their own accommodation before June 14 which is the opening day of the School.  

This Summer School is a collaborative effort funded by the ENLIGHT Incubator Grant “Russia’s War Against Ukraine and New Spaces of Security and Insecurity in Europe” (2024-2027) and includes four leading universities: the University of Tartu, the University of Ghent, the Université de Bordeaux, and Comenius University in Bratislava. In 2026, it is hosted by the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu in Estonia.

Program highlights

• Expert-led Lectures: In-depth discussions led by scholars and professionals from participating universities and based on home reading materials.
• Interactive Exercises: Challenge-based learning, collaborative problem-solving, and critical analysis.
• Site Visits in Narva, the border town with Russia.
• Cultural Immersion: Film screening, excursions, and networking opportunities with peers from across Europe.
• Student-Centered Learning: Engage in debates, simulations, and hands-on activities that encourage interdisciplinary thinking.
• Program Costs: There is no participation fee. Accommodation for 5 nights is covered by the host university. Additionally, coffee breaks and lunches will be provided during the Summer School. Students are responsible for their travel expenses and other costs.

Application requirements

• Open to all master's and PhD students from ENLIGHT universities
• Strong interest in European security, international relations, and/or Eastern European studies
• English proficiency (the program will be conducted in English)

How to apply

Please submit the following materials by 30 March 2026 to academy4UA@ugent.be (topic: ENLIGHT)

• A motivational letter (max. 500 words) outlining your interest in the topic and how it relates to your academic and professional goals
• A current CV
• A letter of recommendation from a faculty member (optional but recommended)

 Selected candidates will be notified by 5 April 2026.