Debate

Debate, discussion and the exchange of views and ideas is an implicit and important factor of the Institute’s activities.

The international character of our scholarly community makes comparison, confrontation and debate inevitable components of nearly every academic event. It is the driving force behind innovation in theory and methodology, and is encouraged at the EUI through ordinary seminars, special events and lectures, and in blogs and other electronic forums.

At the doctoral and post-doctoral levels, researchers from all over Europe and beyond are compelled to re-examine and defend the fundamental tenets of ‘national-based’ approaches in light of the different methods brought to the table by their international colleagues and faculty. What results from these debates is a truly innovative, uniquely ‘European’ approach to social science research.

The Institute also encourages debate as a tool for furthering understanding on important social issues facing Europe and beyond. It has done so by developing and supporting important initiatives such as ‘The State of the Union’ conference. In these activities, expert academics, practitioners and policy makers are brought together in public events to discuss the problems, solutions and future prospects of Europe within the context of a globalized world.