Critical perspectives on career and career guidance (COCAG) will gather scholars across Europe and beyond to explore how careers are changing in the contemporary world and consider what response is required from public policy and practice. It will explore the following research questions. (1) How can the challenges and changes that are happening to careers in the contemporary world be understood? (2) How can policymakers respond to contemporary challenges to individual’s careers? (3) How can career guidance practice adopt a more critical stance to address the changing world more effectively?

COCAG will foster debate around these questions by stimulating publication projects, brokering relationships between researchers and developing new research directions. It will also support the public communication of research insights, findings and projects to policymakers and practitioners.

Capacity building is at the heart of the aims of COCAG. The Action will support the career development of Young Researchers and Innovators within the field by providing the opportunity to build international networks, co-publish with more experienced researchers, and participate in a wide variety of activities. The Action will also support collaboration between the COST Member Countries, Near Neighbour Countries (NNC) and International Partner Countries (IPC), particularly engaging and supporting researchers from COST Inclusiveness Target Countries. Finally, it will support practitioners and policymakers engagement with research and theory in the area and the mutual exchange and expansion of knowledge and expertise.