Membership Benefits

The European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) is an institutional membership organisation open to scholarly institutions engaged in teaching and research of political science and its related disciplines worldwide. The core purpose of the ECPR is to advance the political science field, by bringing academics together from political science and related disciplines, to explore this complex and constantly changing landscape. All individuals benefit from the institution’s membership.

Approximately 13,000 individuals at over 300 member institutions make up an invaluable network of political scientists and being part of this network is a key benefit of membership.

Other, benefits available to all include:

Events

For over forty years, the ECPR has hosted an array of events designed to bring academics together to discuss research, further their skills used within the discipline and build a life-long network that propels them through their career. Being a member of the ECPR provides you with the:

Funding

Supporting academics through funding is key to the spirit of the ECPR. Approximately €128,000 is budgeted for supporting both Standing Groups and participants who are attending ECPR events in the forthcoming membership year. The funding opportunities include:

  • ECPR grants for attending the Joint Sessions.
  • Travel and Accommodation Grants for graduate students attending ECPR events.
  • Scholarships for participants attending the Graduate Student Conference, ECPR Methods and Techniques School.
  • Funding for participants attending the Oxford Spring School, Oxford short courses, Lille Summer School and Gesis Spring Seminar, Cologne.
  • Annual grants of up to £4,000 (or Euro equivalent) to support Standing Group Summer Schools and up to £500 (or Euro equivalent) to contribute to Standing Groups administrative costs.

Publications

Since its establishment in 1970, the ECPR has developed a strong publications portfolio which now includes three journals, the ECPR Press, and two book series with University Press and Palgrave Macmillan. Individuals affiliated with ECPR member institutions receive exclusive book price discounts and free journal access.

  • FREE online access and print copies of the European Political Science (EPS) journal published in association with Palgrave Macmillan.*
  • FREE print copy of the Journal of Political Research (EJPR) and its annual Political Data Yearbook (PDY), published in association with Wiley Blackwell.*
  • FREE print copy of the European Political Science Review (EPSR) journal, published in association with Cambridge University Press.*
  • SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS on all ECPR Press titles, plus exclusive offers to event participants.
  • 30% DISCOUNT on all Comparative Politics series books, published in association with Oxford University Press.
  • SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNTS on Research Methods books (published in association with Palgrave Macmillan).

*A printed copy of each journal is sent to ECPR Official Representatives of member institutions.

Networking

Every scholar requires a group of colleagues with whom ideas can be explored, projects can be founded, and lasting friendships can be established. Joining the ECPR will enable your institution’s members to become part of this ever-growing network.

  • Join one of over 40 Standing Groups in a range of fields Attend events specific to your research interest through the Standing Groups.
  • Young scholars can join the Graduate Student Network, which aims to facilitate postgraduate academic research activity and networking.

Prizes

In recognition of the contributions made to all areas of European political science, the ECPR awards prizes each year. Below is a list of prizes and awards, which individuals affiliated with an ECPR member institution can receive.

  • ECPR Lifetime Achievement Award awarded on a biennial basis to a scholar who has made an outstanding contribution to European political science over their lifetime, and includes a €5,000 award.
  • Stein Rokkan Prize for Comparative Social Science Research is awarded by the International Social Science Council upon the recommendation of an independent jury set up by the ECPR, and includes a €5,000 award.
  • Mattei Dogan Foundation Prize in European Political Sociology is awarded by the ECPR to a scholar (or group of scholars) who has (or have) produced a major contribution to the advancement of political sociology. The award for this prize is US$3,000.
  • Rudolf Wildenmann Prize awards €1,000 to the presenter of the best paper at the annual ECPR Joint Sessions of Workshops, the has an award of €1,000.
  • Jean Blondel PhD Prize is for the best PhD thesis in politics awarded to an individual from a full ECPR member institution. The prize includes an award of €1,000, plus the opportunity to publish a revised manuscript with the ECPR Press.
  • Hans Daalder Prize is awarded for the best paper presented at the ECPR Graduate Student Conference. This prize includes an award of €1,000.
  • The Cora Maas Award is for the best evaluated course at the Summer School in Methods and Techniques, and includes a prize of €500.
  • The Dirk Berg-Schlosser Award is awarded for the best participant poster at the Summer School in Methods and Techniques. This prize is divided into €250 for 1st place, €150 for 2nd place and €100 for 3rd place.

Professional Development

The ECPR can help an individual’s career in academia by ensuring that news and job opportunities in the European political science discipline and its related fields are widely publicised, in addition to providing more direct opportunities to enhance an individual’s professional career. Individuals from member institutions have the opportunity of:

  • Receiving a monthly round up of jobs in political science academia.
  • Gaining ECTS credits by attending the Methods School.
  • Taking up positions within the ECPR’s framework of governance such as:
    • Becoming an OR and therefore member of the ECPR Council
    • Standing for election to the Executive Committee
    • Applying for an editorship of an ECPR journal
    • Applying to host an ECPR conference or event
    • Being appointed as Academic Convenor of a specific ECPR event

How do I join the ECPR?

ECPR membership is institutional (department, institute, college, university), and its benefits are enjoyed by individuals affiliated with that institution. Membership subscription rates for 2013/14 can be found here. To join the ECPR and become a part of a wider political science network, contact the membership department (membership@ecpr.eu) for further details.

Each member institution must nominate an Official Representative (OR) who will be the key contact person for the ECPR and for individuals affiliated to the institution. The OR’s role is to disseminate information to individuals about ECPR activities and be responsible for ECPR membership. ORs from full member institutions will become part of the ECPR Council.