October 8 - 12, 2018
Leading Universities
KU Leuven (Prof. dr. Paul Schoukens and Prof. dr. Danny Pieters)
Università degli Studi Roma Tor Vergata (Prof. dr. Michele Faioli)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (Prof. dr. Ulrich Becker)
Applications open: April 6 – June 15, 2018 via VIU website (deadline extended).
General description
During an intensive one-week program, young researchers starting on their PhD (one year progress) will be able to present and discuss their PhD research linked to social security, while at the same time attending several lectures on research methodology and on comparative research in the field of social security they will be able to reflect on sustainability in a group of their peers.
The principle of sustainability will be the central theme around which the one-week program will be built. When looking at recent developments in national social security systems and European/international monitoring programs, sustainability is referred to as a major objective to be respected by social policy makers. Yet what is to be understood by this principle? The guiding question during the seminar is whether there is something like a common understanding of the principle of sustainability in the field of social security, valid across various disciplines and in a cross-national setting.
The seminar is divided into a three-day training session followed by a two-day conference open to a broader audience of experts.
The Conference is organized by the universities KU Leuven, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, and Università degli Studi Roma Tor Vergata, together with the European Institute of Social Security, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Topics
During the first days of the seminar, the focus will be on:
- Research methodology and comparative research in social security;
- Discussions of the own research among peers;
- Focus-groups on the three key-drivers in current social security: work, residence, and income.
During the conference, the focus will be on ideas of sustainability. This can be decomposed into three strands:
- The meaning of the concept ‘sustainability’ (in the field of social security): what does it mean from the various disciplines and can we come to an integrated conceptual approach?
- The possible impact of sustainability on (the traditional design of) social security (as an income replacement and cost compensation system, focusing mainly on the aspect of compensation): in which fields of social security can the principle of sustainability have an impact, and how can it affect the organization of social security (more prevention; more rules on monitoring changing social security, etc.)?
- Sustainability as a guiding principle in monitoring social security: to what extent can the principle play a role in the development of a future social model monitoring our systems, and how can it affect modern standard setting in the field of social security? How can it be promoted and monitored by legal and para-legal instruments? What kind of sustainability criteria are to be developed and monitored at which level(s) (international, regional)?
Learning outcomes for participants
After attending this graduate seminar, participants will have:
- received ample feedback and new directions for their research, through lectures and discussions;
- gained new insights on the idea of ‘sustainability’ in social security law;
- actively participated in a conference with experts in their field.
Level of students and suitable fields of study
The research seminar targets young researchers starting on their PhD (one year progress), open to reflect upon the future of social security in our society and in what manner ‘sustainability’ can play a guiding role in this future development.
Fees & Grant Support
Students from the VIU member universities will pay no participation fees. Grant support is also available to support the costs of international travel and accommodation.
External candidates admitted to the Graduate Seminar will pay fees: € 700 for EISS-members; € 1.200 for others. The fee is inclusive of tuition, course materials, accommodation, lunches, social events and taxes. Students from non-member institutions are not eligible for VIU grant support.
For further information
summerschools@univiu.org
The two-days Conference is organized together with the European Institute of Social Security, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
