Trento hosted the 9th edition of the EMES International Training School in collaboration with ESIC: the added value of this experience through the voices of two participants.
This year’s edition is dedicated to the memory of Professor Borzaga, co-founder of the International Network for Research on Enterprise and the Social Economy (EMES).
The 9th EMES training school was organised in Trento by EMES International Research Network under the auspices of the ESIC project in collaboration with Euricse and the University of Trento. The Training School brought together more than 50 young researchers from around the world with the aim of developing research design and methodology skills in the social economy (SE) field to address the multidimensional crises of contemporary society.
For the ESIC project, it represented a valuable opportunity to receive feedback on the curriculum and profiles under development from PhD students and early career researchers participating in the Summer School and to provide space for networking and debating around skills development, education and training for the SE field.
Fostering Collaboration and Exchange
Methodological and theoretical lectures, debates and workshops stimulated fruitful exchanges between academic disciplines, engaging a broad and diverse range of participants, including key actors (e.g., academics, practitioners, and policymakers) at the local, national and EU levels.
Among the many topics covered, participants focused on alternative economic paradigms that challenge the conventional profit-maximising model, explored innovative methodologies for involving stakeholders in approaching complex issues, and examined strategies to promote psychological well-being within academia. In this stimulating context, the session dedicated specifically to the ESIC project created the perfect opportunity for participants to provide constructive feedback on the curriculum and skills profiles identified and analysed in the ESIC Skills intelligence activity. It fostered a broader discussion on Social Innovation and Social Economy.
The event’s organisers curated convivial moments for informal talks, creating a vibrant atmosphere that encouraged sharing of ideas and opinions. These moments of connection were not just casual interactions, but they paved the way for potential collaborations and long-term projects, extending the event’s impact far beyond the in-person experience.
The opinions of the participants
Mariia Samareva is a PhD student at Gran Sasso Science Institute in L’Aquila and a visiting researcher at Euricse. When asked about the value of the experience, she answered:
«I particularly appreciated the very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere of this Training School. Eliminating barriers between experienced scholars and young researchers in the field of economics and social enterprises is crucial for a fruitful exchange. In addition, there is a strong commitment to supporting doctoral students over the long term, with opportunities to present future projects at the EMES Conference and Summer School in subsequent years. This ongoing support is critical for advancing projects and overcoming the sense of isolation that sometimes can be felt during the early academic years»
Her testimony is echoed by Ziwei Xu, a PhD student at the University of Luxembourg, who is focusing her research activity on capital constraints in social enterprises in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Luxembourg and Italy.
«This is the third time I have taken part in an EMES Training School, and it has proved again to be a valuable opportunity to expand my network of contacts and gather feedback on my research project, both with regard to methodological aspects and the content and connections between the various study topics. Sharing ideas with people who are open to discussion is stimulating because it provides a broader view of one’s field of study. In occasions such as this one, you have the opportunity to grasp what the future of international social enterprise research will look like».
The positive feedback from participants of the 2024 edition reaffirms that this year’s EMES Training School has once again proven itself to be a highly prestigious training event, capable of strengthening the relevance of Social Economy and Social Innovation internationally.