The family is widely seen as central to well-being and the provision of support, while also functioning as a key mechanism for social transmission and status attainment. It serves as a pillar of European welfare states and acts as a primary channel for the reproduction of inequality. Despite its importance, much contemporary research focuses narrowly on nuclear kin—parents and full siblings—overlooking the broader network of family members, or extended kin, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and half-siblings, who are also essential for support and the transmission of inequality.

Against this background, this two-day workshop has two main objectives: first, to deepen and broaden our conceptualization of kin relations and to map and explain the transmission of advantage and disadvantage through family networks; second, to bring together Ph.D. candidates and early career researchers (ECRs) to foster collaboration, increase visibility, and develop a research agenda. As part of the workshop, we plan to launch the›Kin Relations Network‹(KIN-NECT), a collaborative, interdisciplinary group of junior researchers studying kin relations.

We invite contributions addressing questions such as:

• How do individuals define›kin‹
• How do relationship quality, intensity, and support exchanges differ among various kin (e.g., siblings, cousins, grandparents)?
• How do families transmit advantages and disadvantages within and across generations?
• How do family networks and kin relations evolve over the life course?
• What explains variation in the size, density, and composition of family networks?
• How can social network analysis enhance our understanding of kin relations and family solidarity beyond the nuclear family?
• How do kinship networks and kin relations vary across national and social contexts?

Submissions on other related topics are also welcome.

The workshop will consist of individual presentations in thematically organized sessions, as well as additional networking sessions in which participants will have opportunities to connect and discuss future collaborations. Confirmed keynote speakers are Thomas Leopold (Full Professor, University of Cologne) and Marco Tosi (Associate Professor, University of Padua).

We invite early-career researchers using qualitative or quantitative methods in Sociology, Demography, Psychology, and related disciplines to submit abstracts of up to 500 words by 21 November 2025. Abstracts should clearly outline the research question, theoretical framework, data and methods, as well as (preliminary) findings. In-progress submissions are encouraged. Applicants will be notified about the acceptance of their abstract in early December 2025. Submissions from Eastern European countries are especially encouraged. All participants are expected to submit a full paper or current draft prior to the workshop. Please send your abstract to jessee(at)wiso.uni-koeln.de.

The workshop is funded by the European Consortium of Sociological Research (ECSR) and is free of charge, including two nights of accommodation, lunches, and a conference dinner on the first day. Financial assistance for travel costs may be available for a limited number of participants based on needs.