The Congo Research Network (CRN) is pleased to announce its fourth PhD workshop, which will feature a broadened regional focus on Central Africa. As scientific research in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider Central African region continues to expand — both within Belgium and globally — it is crucial to foster interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges diverse academic traditions and research paradigms. This workshop aims to bring together doctoral students working in/on Central Africa from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. It will offer a unique platform to present ongoing research, engage with peers, and receive constructive feedback from senior scholars, including postdocs, professors, and researchers based in non-academic institutions. In addition, one or two prominent scholars will be invited to deliver keynote addresses. Full details, including the final program and list of speakers, will be shared in due course.
Organised at UCLouvain (Louvain-la-Neuve) on 15-16 January 2026, this two-day PhD workshop is designed with three core objectives: (1) to provide a platform to doctoral researchers; (2) to foster connections among emerging scholars working on Central Africa; (3) to break down disciplinary and institutional boundaries that often fragment academic engagement. We invite doctoral students working in/on the Democratic Republic of the Congo or other Central African countries within the broad fields of social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary research to participate.