Next to attending training activities, PhD students participating in the PhD training programme of the N.W. Posthumus Institute are also actively encouraged to organise activities themselves. The N.W. Posthumus Institute’s Office can help anyone who wants to organise a workshop or a conference with financial as well as personal and practical support. Examples of such activities are listed below.

Masterclasses (2 ECTS)

A masterclass is staged around a well-known (usually foreign) expert who visits Belgium or the Netherlands. A small group, up to five or six PhD students and/or Research Master students, will have the opportunity to interact intensively with the “master”. The projects of the participants are the point of departure. Participants therefore have to write a paper about their research and the problems they experience. The research of the master can be raised during the class. Note that even though each masterclass can be tailor-made, a lecture or a seminar where visitors only present their papers is not a masterclass.

The expertise of the master defines the content of a masterclass. The PhD students must assess whether they can profit from a particular masterclass. The N.W. Posthumus Institute welcomes initiatives of PhD students to organise masterclasses and will offer financial support.

Announcements and registration

These master classes will be announced via the website and newsletters of the N.W. Posthumus Institute. Registration method and eventual participation fees may vary per event and will be displayed in the announcement of the event.

ESTER Advanced Seminars (4 ECTS)

ESTER, the European graduate School for Training in Economic and social historical Research, occasionally organises Advanced Seminars around a particular domain of research, intended for advanced PhD students.

During an Advanced Seminar, PhD students are brought together with a number of international experts and discuss the papers and presentations of the PhD students. ESTER Advanced Seminars will be advertised on the website of the N.W. Posthumus Institute.

Announcements and registration

These seminars will be announced via the website and newsletters of the N.W. Posthumus Institute. Registration method and eventual participation fees may vary per event and will be displayed in the announcement of the event.

Writing Retreat

The N.W. Posthumus Institute annually organises a Writing Retreat for Posthumus PhD Candidates who are in the process of writing a publication/thesis. This week usually takes place in June/July and consists of a week long retreat in an inspiring environment. During this week, PhD candidates can work focused on their work at hand (article, chapter, thesis). Participation is optional and dependent on places available; see this link for more info on the most recent edition.

Announcements and registration

The Writing Retreat will be announced via the website and newsletters of the N.W. Posthumus Institute. Registration and participation is usually based on the first come first served principle; the number of participants will be limited because of the location and the nature of the event.

A participation fee will apply; the exact amount will be communicated in the announcement, but can be estimated at about 250 euros.

Research network activities

The research conducted by the senior fellows of the N.W. Posthumus Institute is grouped in six different networks. PhD students will be asked after Seminar I to join at least one of these networks as their primary choice, optionally adding a second one as secondary choice.  The Institute invites the PhD students to take part in the conferences or other activities organised by their group. They also can and should suggest group activities with value added to their projects, e.g., workshops, lectures, archival visits etcetera.

Announcements and registration

These events will be announced via the website and newsletters of the N.W. Posthumus Institute. Registration method and eventual participation fees may vary per event and will be displayed in the announcement of the event.

Career Event

N.W. Posthumus Institute, in cooperation with other Research Schools, is one of the organisers of the Career Event, which takes place every odd year; the next edition will be in the fall of 2025. This event offers participants an interesting day programme, with speakers from various sectors in society, who will shed their light on your options in ‘life after promotion’. Many of them are alumnus of one of the research schools involved and therefore know from their own experience which chances, choices and complications recently promoted PhD might be facing. The day programme offers not only speeches, but also offers the opportunity to bring forward own questions and experiences. For example, the extensive lunch break will offer opportunities to network and to have CVs reviewed by experts.

Announcements and registration

The Career Event will be announced via the website and newsletters of the N.W. Posthumus Institute. Registration method and eventual participation fees may vary and will be displayed in the announcement of the event.

External activities

Some departments of Economic and Social History organise postdoctoral workshops or seminars, where papers are presented and debated or lectures given. The website of the N.W. Posthumus Institute gives information on seminars, meetings, courses and conferences. Information will also be e-mailed to the members of the Institute.