European Contemporary Photography Network for Public Spaces (ECPN)
INTERNAL CALL FOR JUNIOR RESEARCHER TO JOIN THE ECPN APPLICATION TEAM OF Innovative transnational cultural cooperation project - Creative Europe - CREA-CULT-2026-COOP
The Centre for Studies Nuno Portas (CENP), based at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP), invites expressions of interest from colleagues to join the application team of the European Contemporary Photography Network for Public Spaces (eCPN) — an innovative transnational cultural cooperation project to be submitted under the Creative Europe – Culture (CREA-CULT-2026-COOP) call.
This internal call is addressed to junior researchers interested in contributing to the development of a highly ambitious European project that brings together artistic practice, academic research, and public engagement, positioning contemporary photography as a critical tool to reflect on urban, social, environmental, and political challenges across Europe.
About the Project
The European Contemporary Photography Network for Public Spaces (eCPN) is an innovative transnational initiative that transforms metro stations, transport hubs, and surrounding public spaces into dynamic cultural stages for contemporary photography, civic participation, and urban reflection. Conceived as an Open Museum and a network of Living Labs, eCPN activates public space as a shared platform for artistic experimentation, interdisciplinary research, and democratic dialogue.
The project operates across Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Finland, and Croatia, while establishing strong links with Ukraine, engaging universities, cultural institutions, artists, researchers, and public space operators. Rooted in the research culture of FAUP and CENP, particularly through the Architecture, Art and Image (AAI) research group, eCPN builds upon significant previous initiatives such as CONTRAST (DGARTES) and Visual Spaces of Change (FCT), scaling their methodologies and vision to a broader European context.
European Cultural Platforms and Visibility
A key dimension of eCPN is its strong integration within the European cultural and artistic ecosystem. The project will be engaging with international leading photography and media art platforms and networks, as well as participating in major international forums around these cultural and artistic fields that we believe enhance the visibility, circulation, and accessibility of European contemporary photography. Rather than duplicating existing initiatives, eCPN acts as a complementary and generative platform, contributing new curatorial formats, unexplored geographies, and emerging voices, while reinforcing Europe’s cultural presence in both physical and digital public spaces.
Cross-Border Cooperation and Impact
At its core, eCPN is a project of cross-border cooperation, fostering a transnational network built on trust, shared methodologies, and long-term collaboration. Through exhibitions, residencies, workshops, conferences, and open calls, the project connects cultural institutions, researchers, artists, and citizens across diverse European contexts.
By activating public spaces in cities such as Porto, Vila do Conde, Fundão, Barcelona, Dublin, Helsinki, Zagreb, and Kyiv, eCPN promotes intercultural dialogue, knowledge exchange, and innovative approaches to public space, cultural participation, and urban transformation. Its outcomes (visual narratives, research publications, cartographic data, and digital resources) are designed to be replicable and adaptable, extending the project’s impact beyond the core partner countries and contributing to a more connected and culturally engaged Europe.
Why Join the eCPN Application Team?
This is a unique and highly stimulating opportunity to:
Work within a young, motivated, and collaborative team;
Contribute to a large-scale European project with strong international visibility and impact;
Engage with cutting-edge artistic and research practices at the intersection of photography, architecture, urban studies, and social sciences;
Gain hands-on experience in the conceptualization and writing of a Creative Europe application, including work packages, dissemination strategies, and impact frameworks;
Participate in a project closely aligned with FAUP’s pedagogical legacy and CENP’s interdisciplinary research mission.
Team Structure
The eCPN application is currently coordinated by:
Pedro Leão Neto – General Coordinator
Sérgio Miguel Magalhães – Deputy Coordinator
Maria Neto – Associate Coordinator
Ana Miriam Rebelo – Scientific and Administrative Support
The team operates through a shared, flexible, and collaborative structure, allowing mutual substitution and collective responsibility, ensuring continuity, rhythm, and stability throughout the application process.
Profile Sought
We are looking for a Junior Researcher with:
A strong interest in contemporary photography, visual culture, architecture, urban studies, or related fields;
Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment;
Capacity for collaborative research, critical thinking, and academic writing;
Availability and commitment to actively engage in the preparation phase of the Creative Europe proposal.
Institutional Context
FAUP and the Centre for Studies Nuno Portas (CENP) provide a stimulating research environment with strong international recognition, interdisciplinary openness, and a long-standing commitment to critical, project-based knowledge production. Joining this application team means contributing to a project that reinforces FAUP’s role as a European reference point for innovative research and cultural cooperation.
Colleagues interested in joining the eCPN application team are warmly encouraged to express their interest and become part of this collective endeavour.
Join us in shaping a European cultural network where public space becomes a living laboratory for art, research, and democratic participation.
Pedro Leão Neto
(on behalf of the eCPN Application Team)
Faculty of Architecture – University of Porto (FAUP)
Centre for Studies Nuno Portas (CENP)