Hosted by the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme et de l’Environnement (MSHE) in Besançon on 19-20 October 2026, this international conference brings together researchers from across Europe to explore how music can reveal invisibility, express vulnerability, and foster new forms of political participation.

Organized within the framework of the “LaSiDo: Politics in Music” research project, the event is supported by the STARS EU Alliance and the ELLIADD Research Unit.

How does music shape political engagement in contemporary societies? In what ways can songs, performances, remixes, and digital musical practices give visibility to marginalized voices and create spaces for collective action?

The international conference “Music, Invisibility, Vulnerability, and Political Participation” seeks to address these questions through an interdisciplinary dialogue bringing together scholars working in media studies, political communication, sociology, cultural studies, musicology, gender studies, and digital cultures.

Organized as part of the research project LaSiDo: Politics in Music, the conference explores how music has become a powerful medium for civic expression, identity affirmation, protest, and social engagement in the digital era. Beyond artistic expression, music increasingly operates as a space where political tensions, collective emotions, and social inequalities are negotiated and made audible.
From feminist and anti-racist struggles to environmental activism and debates surrounding artificial intelligence, musical practices today play a central role in making visible experiences that are often ignored or silenced in dominant public discourse. Through concerts, social media platforms, streaming services, memes, music videos, and participatory digital cultures, music circulates across borders and communities, shaping new forms of political participation and collective belonging.

The conference will examine how music can both challenge and reproduce systems of domination, discrimination, and exclusion. It will also investigate the role of media environments, platforms, and algorithmic logics in amplifying — or limiting — the visibility of politically engaged music.
Particular attention will be paid to the following six thematic areas:
* Music, identities and gender
Exploring the relationships between music, vulnerability, feminism, queer identities, masculinity, and visibility.
* Music and the political construction of territories
Examining how music shapes territorial identities, collective memory, and representations of places and communities.
* Music, propaganda, and discriminatory discourse
Investigating the ideological uses of music, emotional mobilization, and the spread or contestation of hateful discourse.
* Music and environmental activism
Focusing on eco-conscious artistic practices, climate activism, and ecological imaginaries in contemporary music cultures.
* Music, ethics and health
Addressing music as a practice of care, inclusion, well-being, and social justice in vulnerable contexts.
* Media literacy, AI and music technologies
Reflecting on algorithmic cultures, digital music practices, artificial intelligence, and the ethical challenges of contemporary media environments.

The conference will take place on-site only at the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme et de l’Environnement (MSHE) of Marie and Louis Pasteur University, Besançon, France, on 19-20 October 2026.
Researchers interested in presenting are invited to submit a one-page abstract accompanied by a short bio-bibliographical note no later than 30 June 2026. Proposals should clearly outline the research question, theoretical framework, and connection to one of the conference themes.
Selected presentations will be delivered in a 20-minute oral format, followed by discussion sessions. Conference proceedings will later be published in order to extend the collective reflection initiated during the event.

Key dates
* 15 May 2026 – Publication of the call for papers
* 30 June 2026 – Submission deadline
* 15 July 2026 – Notification of acceptance/rejection

Submission information
Proposals should be sent to:
 justine.simon@dynamots.fr
For more information about the LaSiDo: Politics in Music project: LaSiDo Project Page

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Speaker: Jana Orlova is a professor and researcher at the Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), where she works mainly in the fields of contemporary art, audiovisual creation, and performance art.

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In her talk, she introduces the Triangular Method: a practical approach to creativity that connects body work, emotions, and writing. It shows how simple techniques (including insights from polyvagal theory) can improve focus, overcome creative blocks, and help you return to a creative flow.Cre

Through real workshop examples, you’ll learn how to create the right conditions for creativity even when you feel stuck or uninspired.  method can be applied not only in the arts, but also in everyday life and work.

About STARS Talks: This format of knowledge exchange and interaction is organised by our Challenge Lab. Its monthly webinars will discuss different initiatives based on science, knowledge and innovation that can be useful or inspiring for the development of our regions. Each webinar will include a short dissertation on the chosen topic by the guest speaker, and afterwards the session will be open for dialogue and interaction.

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From Research to Innovation: Entrepreneurship for PhD Students and Early-Career Researchers

Are you a PhD candidate or an early-career researcher within the STARS EU Alliance?
Would you like to explore how your research can lead to real-world innovation?

Purpose

This three-day immersive workshop aims to:

• raise awareness of entrepreneurship in research
• provide practical tools to turn research ideas into innovative solutions
• support the early stages of research valorization

By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with:

• a prototype, pitch, or innovation plan
• a stronger understanding of entrepreneurial opportunities
• a valuable professional network

Target audience

This workshop is open to:

• PhD candidates
• Early-career researchers

from the STARS EU Alliance.

Location

Université Marie et Louis Pasteur
Research and Innovation Office (DRVI)
UFR ST – 32 Avenue de l’Observatoire
25030 Besançon, France

Programme

Day 1 – Wednesday, September 23, 2026

From Research to Innovation

Morning – Foundations of Innovation

• Welcome & introduction
• Keynote: The Innovation Mindset
• Interactive session: career pathways
• From idea to market: innovation process
• Co-design workshop

Afternoon – Prototyping & Validation

• Introduction to design thinking and rapid prototyping
• Hands-on session: building a prototype (MVP)
• Innovation validation methods

Day 2 – Thursday, September 24, 2026

Entrepreneurship & Commercialization

Morning – Intellectual Property

• Introduction to IPR in R&D
• IPR in Horizon Europe projects

Afternoon – Market & Business Models

• Market approach in research projects
• Commercial potential assessment
• Business models for research-based startups
• Panel discussion

Networking Event (Evening)

• Greenhouse visit
• Cocktail reception & dinner

Day 3 – Friday, September 25, 2026

Hands-on Workshops

• Market challenges workshop
• Advanced “idea to market” session
• Interactive role-play (Serendipity Game)
• Closing session

Key Features

• Interactive workshops: hands-on learning
• Expert speakers: researchers, legal experts, entrepreneurs
• Networking opportunities
• Action-oriented outcomes

This workshop is part of the STARS EU Research Mentoring Programme.

Registration

Limited number of participants
Register now using the form below:

https://forms.gle/kZb5FVkmiskVw8iS7 

Contact

marion.korach-andre@umlp.fr

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The event, which will be held from 22 to 24 June and hosted by the University of La Laguna in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), is open not only to participants from STARS EU partner institutions but also to external stakeholders interested in innovation and knowledge transfer, including companies, research organizations, and consultancies. This open approach aims to create a more diverse and interactive environment.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the involvement of local stakeholders and actors from the Canary Islands’ R&D and innovation ecosystem, reinforcing the workshop’s regional impact and encouraging stronger connections between academia and industry.

You can see the full program by clicking here

Those interested in registering can do so at this link: IPR and Commercialization Wprkshop

The registration is free and the deadline is May, 30.

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Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences (Germany)

Over the course of three days (June 1–3), participants will work and collaborate to identify opportunities, overcome barriers, and define concrete actions to strengthen mobility within the alliance.

Day 1 – Understanding, Connecting, Unlocking Potential

June 1 | 09:00 – 16:00

The first day is dedicated to building a shared understanding and establishing a common foundation for the rest of the event. Participants will explore the connections between mobility, teaching, and digitalisation, with a strong focus on the student perspective.

In addition, the sessions will examine how virtual mobility formats can be better designed and communicated to increase their reach and student engagement.

Day 2 – Strengthening Digital Access, Processes and Recognition

June 2 | 09:00 – 14:00

The second day focuses on the role of digitalisation in mobility, addressing key aspects such as the use of digital tools, application processes, and communication strategies.

The aim is to identify structural barriers, improve usability, and strengthen recognition mechanisms across the alliance.

Day 3 – Concretising, Aligning and Embedding

June 3 | 09:00 – 15:30

The third day addresses the organisational and structural challenges affecting the implementation of virtual mobility. It also builds on the outcomes of the previous days to prioritise solutions, assess their feasibility, and define the steps needed for their implementation and long-term integration within the alliance.

Registration

Registration is required to attend the event. Please, REGISTER HERE.

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Speaker:

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Hour: 13:00 (CET)
Abstract: This STARS Talk will be a summary of the recent workshop that was held at the European Robotics Forum 2026 where the question of sustainability was addressed in a cross-disciplinary manner, ranging from robotics to economy.

After a presentation of the challenges and troubles to be faced in a changing world (climate change, resource depletion, and their socio-economic consequences), the notion of circular economy will be questioned and proposed to be changed to spiral economy.

Also, the link between robotics and economic competitiveness will be investigated, with regard to the Industrial Accelerator Act recently published by the European Commission.

About STARS Talks: This format of knowledge exchange and interaction is organised by our Challenge Lab. Its monthly webinars will discuss different initiatives based on science, knowledge and innovation that can be useful or inspiring for the development of our regions. Each webinar will include a short dissertation on the chosen topic by the guest speaker, and afterwards the session will be open for dialogue and interaction.

The post STARS Talks: “How can the robotics industry cope with planetary boundaries?” appeared first on STARS EU.

STARS EU Alliance is pleased to invite teaching staff to an engaging online workshop “Teaching Opportunities within STARS EU”, marking the first official session of the STARS EU International Teaching Certificate programme.

The online workshop, that will take place on Wednesday, 06 May 2026, from 14:00 to 16:15, is designed for educators interested in enriching their courses through international perspectives and collaborative teaching practices. Participants will gain practical tools and insights to strengthen the international dimension of their teaching within the STARS EU Alliance.

This interactive session gives you the opportunity to learn different models of teaching cooperation within the STARS EU alliance, approaches to internationalisation in higher education and key didactic considerations for designing international teaching formats.

The key topics are

• The importance of global competence in today’s interconnected world
• Support mechanisms for international teaching initiatives
• Opportunities within STARS EU, including Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Integration of MOOCs
• Practical and scalable strategies, from guest lectures to intercultural assignments
• Innovative pedagogies such as Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) and simulation
• Networking and collaboration through Thematic Interest Groups and alliance-wide support structures

 Why Participate?

This workshop offers not only professional development but also the opportunity to connect with colleagues across Europe and contribute to a shared vision of inclusive, globally engaged education.

Registration

If you would like to participate, please register here: https://www.hs-bremen.de/en/hsb/news/event/teaching-opportunities-within-stars-eu/

*Registration is required to receive the online access details.

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Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen (The Neterhlands) will host the first edition of the STARS EU Student Case Competition from 20 to 24 April 2026, an international event bringing together student teams from all partner universities within the STARS EU Alliance.

Over five days, participants will work on real-life business cases, primarily focused on the challenges faced by family businesses. The programme will include several competition rounds, where teams develop solutions under time pressure and present them to an international jury of academic and industry experts.

In addition to the competition, the event will feature a social and cultural programme designed to foster networking, collaboration and intercultural exchange among participants.

The 2026 edition represents a pilot initiative, with the aim of establishing a recurring event rotating across the STARS EU Alliance.

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This initiative is part of the European alliance STARS EU and brings together academic staff and experts from a range of European universities. In addition to the University of La Laguna and other partner institutions within the alliance—such as the Bragança Polytechnic University  (Portugal), Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), and the Marie and Louis Pasteur University (France)—the programme also includes participation from higher education institutions in other countries, further strengthening its international and collaborative dimension.

Through a variety of visual and artistic languages, the exhibition explores new ways of interpreting and activating cultural heritage, giving voice to diverse narratives that connect memory, place and identity within a shared European context.

The exhibition will be held at Espacio Cultural La Capilla, located at the University of La Laguna.

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Speaker:

Join Zoom Meeting

Hour: 13:00 (CET)
Abstract: This STARS Talks will introduce the major evolutions in French criminal law concerning sexual violence with the help of Fabienne Terryn-Casalta, member of the CRJFC research center and leader of the Master’s program Justice.

Over the last thirty years, France has strengthened national law to combat gender-based and sexual violence. Many laws have been passed to modify the definition of rape, moving from a very restrictive definition of this offence to one based entirely on the absence of the victim’s consent.

Meanwhile, French lawmakers recognized the need to provide specific protection for children who are victims of sexual abuse. This has led to many laws being passed and to a specific definition of rape committed against children under the age of 15. Finally, after a long period of silence, French law now acknowledges that some sexual offences are committed within the family and has introduced specific measures to address incest.

About STARS Talks: This format of knowledge exchange and interaction is organised by our Challenge Lab. Its monthly webinars will discuss different initiatives based on science, knowledge and innovation that can be useful or inspiring for the development of our regions. Each webinar will include a short dissertation on the chosen topic by the guest speaker, and afterwards the session will be open for dialogue and interaction.

The post STARS Talks: “Gender-based and sexual violence” appeared first on STARS EU.