The Spring School for early-career researchers and doctoral students, organised within the ProSkills2Work project, brought together 21 participants in Kyustendil – seven established professors and 13 emerging sociologists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Romania, Serbia, and Sweden.
Over the course of four days, the programme developed into an intensive mix of lectures, discussions, and informal presentations, focusing on sociological research in the field of vocational education and labour markets. A strong emphasis was placed on developing research tools, particularly in qualitative methodologies and comparative practice research, as well as on the use of qualitative data analysis (QDA) software .
Key topics also included labour market transformations and social change, such as the integration of refugees, skills development in platform work, the relationship between education and employment, and the regional dimensions of economic and social developments. Participants presented their own research on dual vocational education and training (VET), entrepreneurial competencies, quality of work and professional development, as well as public policies across different social domains .
A valuable exchange of experience and ideas unfolded – not only productive, but also inspiring, both in terms of methods and research topics, as well as across diverse national contexts.
Senior scholars shared important guidance with doctoral students – from formulating research questions to refining dissertation focus and outlining broader research trajectories.
Conversations beyond the formal programme proved equally important. A cultural tour of Kyustendil and the surrounding area was also part of the programme, led by local artist Stanislav Bozhankov. Participants visited the Vladimir Dimitrov – The Master Art Gallery, where they watched a short film, attended a brief presentation, and explored the exhibition, as well as the Dimitar Peshev House Museum, part of the Regional History Museum of Kyustendil. The tour also included the Roman baths and the Ahmed Bey Mosque, presented through contextual storytelling, and a detailed visit inside the Pirgova Tower. At the end, participants received a special souvenir – small art prints prepared by Stanislav Bozhankov.
This cultural component contributed significantly to the overall atmosphere of the event and created additional opportunities for informal interaction and exchange.
Participants shared that the format of the Spring and Autumn Schools within the ProSkills2Work project is highly inspiring and strongly supportive of academic development.