Early-Career Workshop for Advanced Graduate Students @ 2026 ICUA
Sponsored by: The Urban Affairs Association
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (9:00AM – 4:30PM)
Location: Marriott Marquis Hotel | Chicago, Illinois
Application Deadline: November 14, 2025
EVENT DESCRIPTION
This full-day conference workshop targets early-career professionals and focuses on developing and completing the dissertation, approaching the job market, exploring non-traditional career paths, and publishing strategies. Format: Full-day conference workshop with presentations, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.
TENTATIVE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
8:00–9:00 AM………….Participants pick up conference badge and program
9:00–9:15 AM…………..Morning Break (Coffee, tea, breakfast buffet)
9:15–9:30 AM…………..Introductions and Overview of Workshop
9:30–10:45 AM…………Research and the Dissertation (75 minutes)
10:45–11:00 AM………..BREAK
11:00 AM–12:30 PM….Job Search (Academic Positions) (90 minutes)
12:30–1:30 PM………….LUNCH (Meal provided with GF, Vegan, Veg options)
1:30–2:45 PM……………Job Search (Non-academic; non-traditional) (75 minutes)
2:45–3:00 PM…………..BREAK
3:00–4:15 PM……………Publishing 101 (75 minutes)
4:15–4:30 PM……………Closing Comments and On-site Evaluation
4:30–5:30 PM…………..Networking Reception for Participants and Speakers
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the Early Career Workshop for Advanced Graduate Students, you must be one of the following:
Ph.D. Student – advanced (you have defended your dissertation proposal)
Ph.D. Student – dissertation stage (you are actively working on your dissertation)
Post-Doctoral – (less than 5 years since receiving PhD)
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
To participate in the Early Career Workshop for Advanced Graduate Students, you must complete the online application by November 14, 2025. Your application will be reviewed by the UAA Executive Office, and you will receive a review decision by email. All accepted workshop participants must register for the ICUA conference by paying the appropriate registration fee. Note: The registration deadline for accepted ICUA 2026 conference presenters and moderators is November 18, 2025 (11:59 PM CDT). One-day conference registration is not available. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
APPLICATION DEADLINE
November 14, 2025 is the application deadline (Late applications will NOT be accepted.) A review decision will be sent to all applicants on November 17, 2025. Space is limited.
KEY APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Brief bio summary statement (Maximum 200 words)
2. Photo (head shot or close-up selfie in black and white or color)
3. Questions for each of the four workshop subtopics (Research/Dissertation; Job Search – Academic; Job Search – Non-Academic; and Publishing).
Sample bio statement for application:
Jane Smith, University of Somewhere
Jane Smith is a PhD candidate in the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy at the University of Somewhere. Her research is around the commute, or the journey-to-work, and how it reflects and reinforces multiple systems of urban inequalities, including access to work, housing, and transportation. She is also currently co-author of projects analyzing labor markets and institutions, accessory dwelling units, and transportation-efficient, healthy high-opportunity areas. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, she worked for nearly 10 years as a policy and research analyst in health, labor, voting rights and election law at non-profit organizations. She has published numerous reports and worked with state officials to increase voter registration among historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities. In California, she worked on the $15 minimum wage and numerous legislation and ballot initiatives to increase access to healthcare for predominantly low-income communities of color.
