Explore the core research themes and interests of the Self-Steering Committee in Europe and the World, providing a starting point to kick-start new collaborations. Rather than categorising members by university affiliation, these themes emphasise shared scholarly priorities across Una Europa academics, fostering interdisciplinary and cross-institutional cooperation. Each theme represents a significant area of academic focus, supported by ongoing research projects and initiatives within the Self-Steering Committee.

Analysing the EU's external relations, foreign policy, and its evolving role in global governance.

The EU is a key player in global governance, shaping international relations through its policies, institutions, and diplomacy. This research theme explores the EU’s external relations, foreign policy strategies, and its evolving role in global governance. It also examines how the EU navigates multilateralism, security challenges, and institutional reforms in response to shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Key research areas include:

• EU foreign policy and external relations.
• Multilateralism and international organisations.
• European security and defense policies.
• Global governance frameworks and regulatory cooperation.

Related projects:

• Europa Institute (University of Edinburgh).
• EU-RENEW (University of Edinburgh).
• GIS Euro-Lab (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne).
• ENSURED (KU Leuven).
• RENPET (KU Leuven).
• EU ExAct (KU Leuven).
• Europe Hub (Universiteit Leiden).
• Centro Interdipartimentale Punto Europa (Università di Bologna).
• Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence Punto Europa (Università di Bologna).
• Centre for European Studies (Helsingfors universitet).

Investigating EU economic policies, public policies, financial regulation, and the legal frameworks shaping Europe's global engagement.

The EU's political economy is shaped by economic policies, legal regulations, and the balance between national and supranational governance. This research theme investigates financial regulation, competition law, trade agreements, and the role of legal frameworks in structuring Europe’s global economic engagement. It also considers the impact of crises, such as financial downturns and geopolitical instability, on European economic governance.

Key research areas include:

• International political economy and European financial governance.
• EU trade policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Competition law and economic integration.
• Public policies and economic crises management.

Related projects:

• L3E – Laboratoire Europe, Espace et Environnement (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne).
• NEAR-ER (Universiteit Leiden).
• The Dublin European Institute (University College Dublin).
• FLEXI (University College Dublin).
• Jean Monnet Chair ad personam "The European Communities and the World: a Historical Perspective" (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna).
• Unimed Consortium (Università di Bologna).
• SHAPEDEM-EU (Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie).
• IDEoPOP (Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie).

Examining European history and socio-cultural development in order to grasp and structure the present and the future of Europe.

History and culture are integral to shaping Europe’s identity and its role in the world. This research theme focuses on European history, memory studies, and the socio-political impacts of past conflicts, decolonisation, and transformations. Research in this area also examines European cultural narratives, identity formation, and the relationship between history and policymaking.

Key research areas include:

• European memory studies and historical narratives.
• Colonial legacies and decolonisation in Europe.
• Cultural heritage, arts, and European identity.
• Social transformations and political thought in historical context.

Related projects:

• CivilWars (University College Dublin).
• LandLimits (University College Dublin).
• Centre for Excellence in Law, Identity and the European Narratives (EuroStorie) (Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet).

Exploring migration patterns, diaspora studies, and European solidarity movements.

Migration has long shaped European societies, influencing labour markets, social policies, and cultural dynamics. This research theme explores migration flows, diasporic communities, and the policies that govern mobility and integration. It also examines how concepts like identity, belonging, and solidarity have evolved in European thought, including in response to political and economic changes.

Key research areas include:

• Migration policies and governance in the EU.
• Diaspora studies and transnational identities.
• The evolution of European solidarity and citizenship.
• Labour market transformations and migration.

Related projects:

• EFI Edinburgh Futures Institute (University of Edinburgh).
• IASH Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities (University of Edinburgh).
• CCINDLE (Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet).
• VORTEX (Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet).
• Global Governance, Trust and Democratic Engagement in Past and Present (Universiteit Leiden).
• Taube Centre for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie).

Examining European climate policies and their global implications.

Climate change is an urgent global challenge. Europe has a crucial role to play in shaping sustainability policies, environmental governance, and the transition to a greener economy. This research theme examines European and global climate policies, green energy transitions, and the societal and economic impacts of environmental change.

Key research areas include:

• EU climate policies and sustainability governance.
• Energy transitions and decarbonisation strategies.
• Green finance and sustainable economic models.
• Social and political dimensions of environmental change.

Researching the intersection of technology, literature, and European identity in a digital world.

The digital age is reshaping how knowledge is produced, preserved, and communicated. This research theme focuses on the intersection of technology, literature, and European identity, exploring digital humanities, AI applications in research, and the ethical and cultural implications of digital transformations.

Key research areas include:

• Digital archives and AI in humanities research.
• Ethical and legal aspects of AI governance in Europe.
• Computational methods in literature and historical analysis.
• Digital storytelling, media studies, and European cultural narratives.

Recognising the Self-Steering Committee's emphasis on knowledge sharing through joint programmes which aim to transfer intersectional and interdisciplinary knowledge between students and researchers.

A key strength of the Self-Steering Committee is our focus on knowledge exchange, which fosters collaboration between students and researchers through joint programmes, interdisciplinary initiatives, and public engagement. This research theme highlights innovative educational approaches, co-teaching models, and efforts to bridge research and policy through knowledge dissemination.

Key research areas include:

• Interdisciplinary and transnational education models.
• Knowledge transfer between academia, policymakers, and the public.
• Digital and hybrid learning in European higher education.
• Collaborative research and co-teaching initiatives.

Related initiatives:

• The Una Europa Joint Bachelor in European Studies (KU Leuven, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid).
• The Una Europa Certificate in European Studies (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne).
• Master de science politique, parcours "Affaires publiques européennes" (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne).
• Master of Advanced Studies in European Policies and Public Administration (MEPP) (KU Leuven).
• Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives (KU Leuven).
• MRIAE (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne).
• MA in International Relations (EU Studies Specialisation) (Universiteit Leiden).
• MA in European Politics and Society (joint degree with Barcelona, Prague, and Krakow) (Universiteit Leiden).
• BA European Studies (University College Dublin).
• MA European History (University College Dublin).
• BA in International Relations (with regional specialisation on Europe) (Universiteit Leiden).
• German-Franco Double BA Programme in Political and Social Sciences (Freie Universität Berlin).