Summer School of the Standing Group on Political Parties

Who can apply

The Summer School welcomes applications from PhD students and early career researchers who are working on different aspects of political parties, and would like to deepen their theoretical and methodological expertise, receive constructive feedback on their own projects from world-leading scholars, and build international networks that will energise their research and future careers.

To apply, you must submit the following no later than 7 May 2026:

1. Your CV;
2. A one-page cover letter which speaks to the project/ paper you wish to present and how it fits into your career trajectory;
3. A 250-word abstract of the paper that you wish to present at the Summer School.

Partial or incomplete applications will not be processed. Late applications will not be accepted.

You will be informed about the outcome of your application by email by mid-May 2026.

Fees

The participation fee is £300 for ECPR member, and £350 for non-member, inclusive of VAT applies and includes a reception with dinner, coffee breaks and lunch each day.

You will be required to arrange and pay for your own travel, accommodation and subsistence.

Funding

To encourage students from diverse backgrounds and universities to attend, the standing group will offer a limited number of fee waivers.

To apply, please include in your Summer School application a statement outlining why you feel you require the fee waiver. Please also detail any other funding you have received, plan to apply for, or have access to.

Participants should explore all available funding options provided by their university, including scholarships, grants, and bursaries, before applying for the fee waiver.

Programme

The engaging five-day programme brings together keynote lectures from leading international scholars, focused thematic discussions, presentations of participants’ research projects, a dedicated methodological workshop, and a range of social activities.

This year’s Summer School places a special emphasis on the profound transformation of party politics around the world, examining how fragmentation, electoral volatility, and the rise of populist mobilisation are reshaping representation in both young and established democracies. A strong comparative lens will guide discussions, with dedicated attention to political parties in the Global South alongside developments in Europe and North America.

The intensive but stimulating schedule will explore major theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of political parties, highlighting contemporary debates and emerging research agendas across world regions.

Core themes explored throughout the week include:

• Party system change, fragmentation, and electoral volatility
• Populism and anti-establishment mobilisations
• Democratic representation and the evolving role of political parties
• Parties in the Global South and cross-regional perspectives
• Digitalisation, AI, and new modes of campaigning
• Party organisation, leadership, and internal democracy
• Party finance, accountability, and integrity challenges
• Methodological challenges in party politics research
• Hands on methodological session: ‘The Challenges of Limited Data Access’

Pogramme Highlights:

• Lectures by internationally recognised experts in party politics
• Thematic discussions led by convenors and guest scholars
• In-depth feedback sessions on participants’ research projects
• A dedicated methodological day focused on data access and research design
• Social and networking activities showcasing Bristol and fostering collaboration across regions, disciplines, and methodological traditions

Faculty

The confirmed instructors for the Summer School are:

• Sarah Lockwood University of Bristol
• Sam Power University of Bristol
• Sam Warner University of Bristol