Call for Papers: Coherence in European Law and Migration Policies

The Jean Monnet Chair in European Law and Migration Policies (EULAMP) and the Migration Law (MiLa) Research Platform, in cooperation with the Utrecht Centre for Regulation and Enforcement in Europe (RENFORCE) at Utrecht University School of Law, will hold on 1 December 2026 the first EULAMP Doctoral and Early Career Researchers’ Workshop. Interested researchers are invited to submit by 20 July 2026.

Migration continues to shape legislative reforms and set political agendas in Europe. The third reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which has just taken effect, raises significant challenges for access to international protection. At the same time, the externalisation of border controls and the intensified focus on tightening return rules reflect a clear drive to curb irregular arrivals and reduce unauthorised stays within the territory of the Member States. Yet, despite these restrictive trends, migrant labour remains crucial to Europe’s economy, with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reporting a growing reliance on migrant workers. 

Against this backdrop, the Jean Monnet Chair in European Law and Migration Policies (EULAMP) and the Migration Law (MiLa) Research Platform, in cooperation with the Utrecht Centre for Regulation and Enforcement in Europe (RENFORCE) at Utrecht University Law School, will hold on 1 December 2026 the first EULAMP Doctoral and Early Career Researchers’ Workshop. 

Aim for - and contributions for - the workshop

The aim of this workshop is to offer early-career scholars a space for critical reflection to unpack the concept of coherence in European migration law. Contributions are welcome across the full spectrum of migration policy, including but not limited to:

• the reform of the Common European Asylum System and its implementation challenges; 
• access to international protection and procedural guarantees;
•  labour migration and the legal status of migrant workers; 
• the externalisation of border controls and cooperation with third countries; 
• return, readmission, and the rights of undocumented migrants; 
• search and rescue and the interception of migrants at sea

Overarching questions

The workshop aims to address various overarching questions: conceptually, how coherence can be framed and understood in European migration law; substantially, whether and to what extent European migration law can be regarded as a coherent framework; institutionally, which actors can foster coherence in the regulation and enforcement of European migration policies. 
The workshop provides an opportunity for selected researchers to present a draft paper and receive constructive feedback, as well as to further network. While bringing together researchers who work on different policies, the 
workshop aims to facilitate a holistic view of European migration law. Selected papers may be included in a special issue of an international peer-reviewed journal, subject to a successful editorial proposal.The workshop will also host an informative session on publication culture and strategies. 

Submission Requirements and Process 

Interested researchers are invited to submit by 20 July an email (subject ‘EULAMP Workshop’) to S.Nicolosi@uu.nl with  a single document containing: 

• an abstract of around 300 words, including a title, a research question, and proposed arguments and approaches 
• a short bio-sketch of around 150 words, including institutional affiliation, research focus, and contact detail
  
  Successful applicants will be informed by mid-August 2026 and will be invited to submit a first draft of the paper that will be presented before mid-November 2026. The workshop can probably accommodate around 15 presentations. Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Limited funds may be available upon request to partially offset travel or accommodation expenses for researchers who lack alternative sources of financial support. 
  
  For further information, please contact Dr. Salvo Nicolosi at S.Nicolosi@uu.nl