The ERU organizes biennial writing weeks since 2012 where early career researchers work together on a pre-registered scientific paper under the supervision of leading scholars in the field of developmental psychology. The writing weeks are targeted at ERU members and aim to foster international collaboration and networking opportunities among early career researchers working in developmental psychology across Europe. Writing weeks comprise of a five-day program full of training activities, networking events, and writing time to kick-start the collaboration on a joint paper with fellow early career scholars and leading scholars in the field. The writing weeks are highly successful as evidenced by the publications that have resulted from them.  

Applications are now open for the ERU-EADP Writing Week 2026!! 

What is the EADP-ERU writing week?

A collaborative event where early career researchers work together on a pre-registered scientific paper with guidance from senior scholars providing datasets.

Who can apply?

Early career researchers (PhD students and postdocs) in developmental psychology interested in the research topics addressed during the writing week. 

What are the costs?

€150,- including participation fee, 4 nights in double rooms, all meals. Travel and personal costs are not included. Three fee waivers are available for participants with proven financial constraints, please mention it in the motivation letter if you want to be considered (including details on country of origin and/or institutional funding). 

Who are the senior scholars and this year's topics?

• Peter Titzmann: Development and migration-related adaptation among adolescents
• Claire Monks: Developmental origins and aggressive and bullying behavior among young children
• Sabina Kapetanovic: Links between mid-adolescent mental health problems and gaming
• Susan Branje: Identity and relationships during school transitions from early adolescence to young adulthood
• Salvatore Ioverno: Creating safer and more affirming schools: the role of policies and practices in supporting LGBTQI+ students

How to apply?

Please send the following documents to the ERU secretary ([email protected]) by June 12th, 2026.

1) Motivation letter including:

• What do you want to learn in this writing week?
• How do you think that this experience can impact your professional career?
• What can you offer other participants of your group? (e.g., open science, statistics, and/or other relevant expertise)

2) Detailed CV

3) Document specifying your 2 preferred topics and why; please, also mention which one would be your first vs second choice.

The 2025 ERU-EADP Open Science Writing Week took place in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, from March 31 to April 4. A total of 21 junior researchers from across Europe—including Croatia, Germany, Greece, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, and the UK—came together for an intensive week of collaborative research and writing.

Participants were divided into six thematic groups, each led by a senior mentor who provided both guidance and a relevant secondary dataset. The mentors included Prof. Daphne van de Bongardt, Prof. Ana Catarina Canário, Prof. Spyridon Tantaros, Prof. Laura K. Taylor, Prof. Katja Upadyaya, and Prof. Antonio Zuffianò. Each mentor also delivered a short lecture during the week, which were both inspiring and practically helpful in guiding early career researchers.

Throughout the week, participants worked closely with their mentors to develop and draft pre-registrations for future collaborative manuscripts. Some groups submitted their pre-registrations during the week, while others continued work afterwards, with all groups aiming to publish their projects in the future. The collaborative setting—everyone lived and worked together in a seaside hotel—fostered both productivity and connection. Evenings brought long conversations, beach walks, ice cream outings, and shared laughs during a mid-week social night with games and a pub quiz.

The writing week was “intense but energizing,” with many participants noting how much progress they made in just a few days thanks to the focused structure and supportive atmosphere.