Emerging scholars network
The Kaldor Centre’s next-generation Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) is a global group of graduate and early-career scholars whose work impacts on refugee and migration issues. Sharing ideas across disciplines and institutions, members bring expertise in areas as diverse as migration law, refugee mental health, history, political theory, and climate change-related displacement.
Our purpose
Through the network, up-and-coming scholars have opportunities to:
engage directly with senior academics and global policymakers
connect and collaborate with other members of the Network
hear and learn about new research and job opportunities
participate in the ESN’s annual workshop, and
showcase their research with the Kaldor Centre.
How to apply to join
To apply to join, please complete the ESN Application Form. We welcome applications from emerging scholars in the field of refugee and forced migration studies.
Should you have any questions that are not addressed in the application form, please email the Kaldor Centre ESN Coordinator.
2026 Emerging Scholars Network Annual Workshop
Call for papers - application date to be announced.
The Emerging Scholars Network Annual Workshop will be held at UNSW Sydney, co-hosted by the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law and the Forced Migration Research Network.
This workshop will be a chance for members to share their work-in-progress with fellow scholars, and to benefit from the diverse range of disciplinary expertise and research interests in the Network. This workshop will be run in-person at the UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice in Sydney, with other related events being held around the workshop, including the 2026 Kaldor Centre Oration.
For members who are unable to travel to the workshop, there will be an opportunity for virtual attendance.
For future applications, please note that the abstract should be between 300-500 words. It should set out your research topic, specific question and approach. You are also required to provide a participant bio of up to 150 words.
If accepted, participants should plan to present papers of 15-20 minutes duration, leaving 10-15 minutes for Q&A. Speakers are encouraged to 'workshop' their ideas, by using the presentation as an opportunity to both present their work-in-progress, and to also discuss any challenges they might be encountering in the research process and to gain feedback from the audience.