About the Young Scholars Network

The Young Scholars Network (YSN) is an integral part of our COST Action, designed to bring together early-career researchers, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral scholars working on issues related to gender, SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics), democratization, and social transformation in Eastern Europe and the Near and Middle East.

The YSN provides a platform for young researchers to connect, collaborate, and grow professionally. It supports members not only in advancing their academic research but also in building sustainable careers in international, interdisciplinary, and sometimes challenging contexts. Through mentoring programs, training sessions, and collaborative initiatives, the network fosters constructive exchange between young and senior scholars, encouraging knowledge transfer and long-term cooperation.

Our activities are organized through separate sections that focus on different aspects of professional development: from project development to valorization and public engagement. By facilitating dialogue, skill-building, and inclusion, the YSN contributes to the Action’s broader goal of understanding and addressing the links between anti-gender mobilizations, anti-feminism, and the erosion of democratic norms.

In essence, the Young Scholars Network serves as both a community and a bridge: empowering emerging researchers while connecting them with established experts to advance shared academic and societal goals.

Coordinators:
Mare Ushkovska (mare.ushkovska@yahoo.com)
Bastiaan Redert (bastiaan.redert@uantwerpen.be)