NS34 PhD Seminar
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Practical information Organisation & committees PhD Seminar
PhD Student Seminar at University of Iceland, Reykjavík October 5-6, 2026
The University of Iceland and the Icelandic Tourism Research Centre warmly invite international PhD students to a doctoral seminar in tourism research, taking place 5–6 October 2026 at the University of Iceland campus in Reykjavík. The seminar is organised in connection with the 34th Nordic Symposium of Tourism and Hospitality Research, which will be held in Reykjavík 6–8 October 2026. The conference theme, Tourism as an active agent for good in a changing world, provides an umbrella for critical engagement with the research process and the forms of knowledge creation that all PhD students navigate. This includes questions of theory development, researcher positionality, and methodological challenges. The seminar will therefore address key ontological, epistemological, and methodological issues, while giving students the opportunity to discuss their own work and receive constructive feedback on these dimensions. The seminar is organised in a collegial manner so students should bring their current problems and challenges to the fore for an open and constructive dialogue with recognized tourism researchers as well as the participating students. A key aim of the seminar is to enable doctoral researchers to meet, get feedback on their ongoing work, and participate in a community of researchers interested in the critical examination of (northern) tourism.
Registration and practicalities
The seminar is open to all PhD students whose presentations have been accepted for the conference. The maximum number of participants is limited to 20 students. Included in the seminar cost, 10.000 ISK, is refreshments and lunch on both days. Students are additionally responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own accommodation and other meals.
Registration takes place through the conference website at the same time as conference registration, and all participating students will receive a formal confirmation by email. Prior to the seminar, each student must submit a written synopsis (see further description below). Based on these synopses, students will be assigned to small groups to ensure that everyone has dedicated time to present their work and receive feedback from teachers and fellow students (see below).
Accreditation and obligatory preparation
Participation in the course is accredited by the University of Iceland, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences for 1 ECTS credit unit. To obtain the unit the PhD student is required to:
• 3-4 pages synopsis (to be sent prior to the seminar - see below)
• have read the listed key readings
• contribute to the seminar discussions
• self-evaluation report (1. page)
Prior to the seminar, each student needs to submit a 3-4 pages synopsis of a research plan / a paper / or paper section. Add in the beginning of the draft your name and the title of your thesis and the title of the submitted draft. Include also a short description: what is this draft a piece of, what kind of comments would help you most in terms of use of theory, method or positioning and/ or what kind of questions you would like to discuss and get feedback on (You can also include abstract or outline, to help the reader to orientate). Participants will then be grouped according to their research topics.
Place- venue
The seminar will take place at the University of Iceland campus in Reykjavík. The specific venue will be confirmed and announced later.
Programme
Will be announced later.
Contact person
Rannveig Ólafsdóttir, professor at University of Iceland, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences
ranny@hi.is
Norðurslóð 4 (7th floor)
600 Akureyri, Iceland