July 18, @ 17:00-19:00

Do you feel like exploring the city after the conference sessions and getting to know civil society in practice? On July 18, you can participate in a city stroll through the Seefhoek district in Antwerp and visit a number of local organizations. We end in Het Bos, an artistic hub near the Antwerp Eilandje. 

We will visit the following organizations:

Commons Lab is a grassroots, not for profit ‘socio-cultural’ organization, founded as ‘Commons Lab Antwerp’ at the end of 2017 in the city of Antwerp (Belgium). It's an experimental lab investigating 'commons transition'; new forms of collaborative action that are leading urban and rural areas towards new forms of participatory governance, inclusive economic growth and social innovation. It's founded by a few active citizens who try to partner with social innovators (i.e. active citizens, city makers, digital collaboratives, urban regenerators, community gardeners, etc.), local authorities, businesses, civil society organizations, and knowledge institutions (i.e. schools, universities, cultural institutions, museums, academies, etc.). The ultimate goal is to create a more sustainable, democratic and just region. 

SAAMO community workers tackle exclusion. Community development work is a form of social work that brings people together through innovative project work and committed community work in order to find concrete and sustainable solutions. Together with people in a vulnerable position, SAAMO community workers develop models, provide impetus for improvements in policy and regulations and build public awareness. SAAMO is working on the realization of various basic and human rights, on stronger neighborhoods and cities and on collective citizenship, where there is a strengthened sense of solidarity between people.

Het Bos is an artistic house in a city, an artistic breeding ground where art, social involvement and meeting are central. A living house, filled and driven by all kinds of makers and users who often leave a trace. 
Het Bos wants to be an autonomous place with its own rules and artistic practices and an accessible place that makes connections with the neighborhood and residents of the city. We also want to be there for those who think that Het Bos may not be for them at all. Because there lies something beautiful for us, something that can still amaze us. To achieve this, we think it is important that people feel welcome and connected in Het Bos. 

At Avansa region Antwerp we believe that change starts with the people. People who work together, exchange ideas and inspire each other. As an organization we are committed to social progress and sustainable change. We collaborate with three kinds of partners: citizens' initiatives, governments and organizations. We set up group activities and guide participation projects on various themes. We focus on diversity, inclusion and equity. We hear every voice and strive to do better together, together towards an inclusive and solidarity-based society for everyone. 

This tour is organized in collaboration with De Federatie. De Federatie unites, represents and informs civil society organizations in the field of culture and amateur arts organizations in Flanders and Brussels.

The study tour can accommodate 20 participants. 

Register here: https://forms.gle/HxCYSx42DHG4cxa67 or in person at the registration desk.

Wednesday July 17

Join us on Wednesday morning during an energizing morning workout. The session will combine high-intensity exercises and strength training, perfect for boosting your energy levels and enhancing your focus for the day ahead.

We will guide you through a dynamic routine that targets all major muscle groups, ensuring you get a full-body workout. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or a beginner, this session is tailored to accommodate all fitness levels.

Timing: 8:00-8:45 am

Location: sports hall Agora, corner Grote Kauwenberg and Vekestraat (close to K-building). Changing rooms and showers are available in the sports hall.

Thursday July 18

Kickstart your conference day with an invigorating morning City Run! Join us for a refreshing run through the heart of the city, perfect for energizing your body and clearing your mind. This scenic route will take you past some of the city's most iconic landmarks, offering a unique and healthy way to experience the local sights.

Whether you're an avid runner or just looking to stretch your legs, all fitness levels are welcome. Lace up your sneakers, breathe in the fresh morning air, and set the pace for a productive and inspiring day ahead.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other conference attendees in a relaxed and active setting. See you at the starting line!

Timing: we meet at 7.40 am in front of Agora. The run starts at 7.45 and we will be back around 8:30 am

Location: sports hall Agora, corner Grote Kauwenberg and Vekestraat (close to K-building). Changing rooms and showers are available in the sports hall.

Friday July 19

Start your last conference day with a serene yoga and meditation session designed to calm your mind and rejuvenate your body. Join us for a peaceful morning practice that combines gentle yoga stretches with mindful meditation, perfect for setting a positive and focused tone for the last day of the conference.

Our instructor will guide you through a series of relaxing poses and breathing exercises that promote relaxation and mental clarity. This session is suitable for all levels, whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner.

Don't miss this opportunity to center yourself and find inner peace before the conference activities begin. Embrace the tranquility and start your day with a clear and calm mind. Join us for a restorative morning practice!

Timing: 8:00-8:45 am

Location: sports hall Agora, corner Grote Kauwenberg and Vekestraat (close to K-building). Changing rooms and showers are available in the sports hall.

Hobokense Polder is a nature reserve, the green lung of the city of Antwerp, that is owned by the city and nature-managed by Natuurpunt and definitely worth a visit. In 2016, a walk through Hobokense Polder was voted walk of the year in Flanders. Hobokense Polder can be reached by train (destination = Hoboken polder; see picture below) or shared bicycle (e.g., https://www.velo-antwerpen.be/en).

On July 18, Raf Van Der Veken (working as well as volunteering for Natuurpunt) will guide a tour for ISTR conference participants through the Hobokense Polder (and provide background info on Natuurpunt as well). Subscription for the tour, which starts at 7PM at Hoboken-Polder station, is needed (and the number of places is limited). The tour will last for about one hour. A sign up sheet will be available at the conference reception desk. 

Link to walks in the Hobokense Polder: https://www.komoot.com/guide/3230209/hiking-in-hobokense-polder

Last summer I was lucky enough to participate in the ISTR PhD seminar in Montreal. After already joining online (due to the pandemic) a year earlier I felt I could really benefit from an in-person seminar. And I was right! In this blogpost I look back at my experience in Canada together with some of the friends I made there.

“Have you ever climbed a mountain in the middle of a city while laughing and debating about third-sector research with 40 of your peers from around the world? Well, I have! The PhD Seminar helped me break free from the isolation so many students of third-sector research often feel at our home institutions. By learning together in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, I built friendships (and potential research collaborators!) that I look forward to sustaining through a future lifetime of ISTR gatherings.” - Matthew Bakko (University of Michigan)

The ISTR PhD seminar is special because of its multi-day format. This gives participants more time to talk about research, listen to and converse with established academics, and join multiple workshops. More importantly, spending two and a half days with peers really gave us a unique opportunity to bond and form friendships and collaborations.

“I think the best part about the ISTR Ph.D. seminar was the sense of “community.” Because the Ph.D. seminar was multiple days, it allowed to create a sense of community among the participants, where you had the time actually to get to know other participants and do things together. You usually don’t experience that with other Ph.D. seminars that are only half-day or one-day long.” - Maija Lähteenkorva (University of Jyväskylä)

We started off the first day with a nice welcoming event, where we were introduced to the ISTR board members. After this, we split up in our small groups where we discussed our work with knowledgeable staff and peers. The new perspectives on my research have been a great addition to my dissertation. During the first workshop, different researchers shared their ideas on doing research across boarders and cultures. These insights were especially helpful for those doing (or planning to do) research in other countries or cultures. And with potential new collaborations between this international group of PhDs, this was more than welcome.

“Traveling to a conference for the first time and attending the Ph.D. Workshop at ISTR opened my eyes in a way that solely reading the literature could not. I met young scholars from all around the world, as well as researchers whose books and papers I have been given as introductory material for my research. As a Ph.D. student at a faculty of business and economics, being among a lot of philanthropy researchers is not a frequent occurrence. Thus, the environment in the Ph.D. Workshop was an extraordinary experience. Being further advanced in my research, I now recognize the value of talking about my plans with so many people at an early stage. The discussions about philanthropy related topics and beyond created connections that will last a lifetime.” - Lucca Nietlispach (University of Basel)

One of the highlights of the PhD Seminar was the hike up Mount Royal at the end of day one, with a nice picnic and gorgeous views as a reward for our efforts and sore feet with blisters (not all of us were as smart as Afshan was):

“The ISTR PhD seminar was a fantastic opportunity to meet students and faculty from around the world, many with whom I have stayed connected. My fondest memory of the workshop was the beautiful hike, picnic, and sunset views in Mount Royal, Montreal. I remember being very glad to have packed a pair of sneakers I changed into from my heels! This activity was among the many well-coordinated activities planned by ISTR, and it helped facilitate some long-lasting friendships.” - Afshan Paarlberg (IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy)

The second day of the PhD seminar started with more group sessions. After a wonderful lunch we were offered a choice between two workshops: “a conversation with the editor” or “research integrity & wellbeing in academia”.  I choose to visit the latter, led by Anna Domaradzka. Although the room was very hot, Anna’s talk words on struggling in academia where so relatable for most of us. Very refreshing to talk about this openly with peers and established academics. After one more small group session, we headed out for dinner after some free time. The dinner was fantastic and a great opportunity to interact with peers and faculty informally.

Each year the ISTR PhD seminar ends with a three-minute thesis competition. I enjoyed seeing my peers present their work and learning more about what my peers outside my small group are researching. Even though all of our topics are connected to the third sector, the presentations showed how diverse our research actually is.

"I loved how the PhD seminar combined so many diverse international and disciplinary perspectives that I wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise. My peers' approach to their own research and their feedback on mine have done so much to help me hone and understand my dissertation work and the research I want to take on in my career. I'm so thankful for the relationships I've built, and it has been so wonderful to see friendly, familiar, and supportive faces every time I go to a conference." - Simon Yamawaki Shachter (Univeristy of Chicago)

During the conference, it was wonderful to keep running into new friends and support each other at presentations and session moderator gigs. This even extended to other conferences that followed where I was always able to find a friendly face in the crowd of scholars. I cannot wait to see my academic friends again in Antwerp next year.

Now, if you are still not convinced to join the ISTR PhD Seminar in 2024, let me finish with some words by my friend Neville: 

“Attending ISTR 2022 proved to be a transformative experience. Despite initial apprehension about how my work would be received among esteemed scholars, my expectations were pleasantly defied. The established academics welcomed me with genuine enthusiasm and generously shared their expertise. This unexpected warmth broadened my perspective and gave me a wealth of valuable and innovative insights to enhance the caliber of my research. Furthermore, the conference offered an invaluable opportunity to establish meaningful connections and build a supportive network. This transformed what I had anticipated to be a solitary and arduous endeavor into a collaborative and enriching journey. I left ISTR 2022 with enhanced academic prowess and a newfound sense of belonging to a community of  scholars who continually inspire and uplift one another. I am privileged to be part of this scholarly network. I am committed to paying forward the knowledge and warmth extended to me by contributing to the future growth and enrichment of fellow scholars' experiences.” - Neville Mangwiro (University of the Witwatersrand)

Ready to apply?  Read more about how to apply here.