Welcome to the First COCAG Newsletter 

Following requests from members, we are pleased to launch the first edition of the COCAG Newsletter, covering activity from April to June. Our aim is to provide a regular opportunity to share news, events, publications, achievements, and developments from across the network, helping members stay connected and informed about the diverse work taking place within COCAG. 

As this is our first edition, the newsletter is very much a work in progress and something we hope to develop over time in response to members’ interests and needs. We would therefore welcome your feedback and suggestions on the types of content you would like to see included in future issues. If you have ideas, please comment on this post or contact a.mankoo@derby.ac.uk. 

We are also inviting contributions for the next newsletter, which will be published in October and will cover activities and updates from July to September. Whether you would like to share news of a publication, project, event, funding success, collaboration, or any other item that may be of interest to the COCAG community, we would be delighted to hear from you. Submissions can be made using the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF7TMKWYgyq2BIMUz-kAvbfk8gX5MtcqIpRy53iD_9F5-ueA/viewform?usp=header 

We hope you enjoy this first edition and thank you for helping us build a newsletter that reflects and celebrates the breadth of activity across the COCAG network. 

COCAG Conference 2026: Conceptualising Career for the Precarious 21st Century

On 6-7 May 2026, Critical Perspectives on Career and Career Guidance (COCAG) held its second international conference, Conceptualising Career for the Precarious 21st Century, in Porto, Portugal. The conference brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to explore how changing social, economic and technological contexts are reshaping careers and what these developments mean for policy and practice. 

The event was widely regarded as a great success, featuring high-quality presentations, engaging panel discussions and well-received keynote sessions. The hybrid format enabled participation from across the globe, with around 60 delegates joining online on the first day, helping to broaden engagement and strengthen connections across the network. The conference also fostered new collaborations between working groups and supported the development of relationships among delegates. 

A full programme of presentations and panel discussions is available here: https://eventos.ese.ipp.pt/www/cocag/#programa-section 

All conference sessions were streamed online, and recordings of the presentations and discussions are now available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKNgpx5jKXuE 

Whether you attended the conference or were unable to join, the video recordings provide an excellent opportunity to engage with the discussions and insights shared throughout this successful event. 

Critical Career Studies book secures Routledge publication 

A major publication milestone has been reached for the COST Action Critical Perspectives on Career and Career Guidance (CA23112), with an edited volume now under contract with Routledge. 

The book brings together contributions from 27 researchers across 10 European countries and will explore critical perspectives on career theory, research, policy and practice. Scheduled for publication in early 2028, the volume aims to advance the emerging field of Critical Career Studies by addressing contemporary challenges and highlighting alternative approaches to career development and guidance. 

The project has been developed collaboratively by members of the COST Action and is co-edited by Fiona Christie, Filomena Parada, Ghazal Vahidi, Mariana Lucas Casanova and Ábel Bereményi. 

Read the full announcement and learn more about the project here https://cocag.co.uk/2026/07/14/critical-career-studies-european-perspectives-on-theory-research-policy-and-practice-cocag-cost-action-edited-book-gets-go-ahead-from-routledge/  

International collaboration explores career accessibility for people with disabilities 

A recent Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) supported by the COST Action Critical Perspectives on Career and Career Guidance (COCAG) has highlighted the value of international collaboration in addressing shared career development challenges. 

Working with colleagues at Universiti Sains Malaysia, researchers explored how career accessibility for people with disabilities is shaped by factors such as policy, labour markets, institutional structures and cultural context. The collaboration compared perspectives from Lithuania and Malaysia, identifying a number of common themes around inclusion, equal opportunities and structural barriers. 

The visit also provided an opportunity to build international research partnerships and develop plans for a joint review paper examining career accessibility across both countries. 

Read the full blog post to learn more about the project https://cocag.co.uk/2026/07/08/from-lithuania-to-malaysia-building-critical-conversations-on-career-accessibility/  

 

Get Involved: New COCAG Inclusiveness Roles Open for Applications 

COCAG is seeking members to help shape and strengthen the Action’s commitment to inclusiveness, equity and wider participation across Europe. 

Two new opportunities are now open: 

• Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Representative: A strategic role supporting engagement with researchers and institutions from COST Inclusiveness Target Countries, helping to promote participation, collaboration and leadership opportunities across the network. 

• Social Inclusion and Equity Working Group Representatives (3 positions): One representative from each COCAG Working Group to support inclusiveness activities, share good practice and help embed COST’s commitments to equitable participation, early-career researcher development and widening access. 

These roles offer the opportunity to contribute to the future direction of COCAG, expand professional networks and gain experience in European research leadership. 

Applications for both roles close on 13 September 2026. Read the full role descriptions and apply here: https://cocag.co.uk/2026/08/07/call-for-applicants-inclusiveness-target-countries-itcs-representative-and-3x-social-inclusion-and-equity-working-group-representatives/