Doctoral Programme The core mission of the EUI Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS) is the recruitment, training, and placement of early career researchers from throughout Europe. Read more Doctoral Programme
People Our Faculty, Doctoral Researchers and Postdocs come from a broad range of countries spanning all Europe and beyond. Read more People
Research We focus on the interplay of institutional dynamics with their behavioural context. Read more Research
Seminars & Teaching We are one of Europe’s leading centres for research on comparative politics, political behaviour and political sociology, the sociology of inequality, analytic sociology, and international relations and security. Read more Seminars & Teaching
Global mental health: going beyond Western narratives with Jos van Leeuwen Are young people really more depressed than previous generations? PhD researcher Jos van Leeuwen studies mental health across time and countries. His research challenges the idea of a global crisis and points to economics, politics, and hope as key drivers. Read more Global mental health: going beyond Western narratives with Jos van Leeuwen
From erosion to renewal? Global governance in the age of Trump II In this interview, Max Weber Fellow Tim Heinkelmann-Wild analyses how Donald Trump is reshaping international cooperation, the growing role of informal institutions, and why Western leadership will be decisive in determining today’s multilateral order. Read more From erosion to renewal? Global governance in the age of Trump II
SPS theses of the month: January The Department of Political and Social Sciences is delighted to announce that during the month of January five researchers have successfully defended their dissertation. Read more SPS theses of the month: January
Does education really level the field? A talk with Herman van de Werfhorst The debate over meritocracy has never been more heated, with many arguing that education simply reinforces existing inequalities. EUI Professor Herman van de Werfhorst's study of 40 countries over six decades provides a clear answer: educational expansion increases social mobility. Read more Does education really level the field? A talk with Herman van de Werfhorst
Read more 17 February 2026 Working group Department of Political and Social Sciences Feather-handed fascists Read more
Read more 18 February 2026 Working group Department of Political and Social Sciences Social investment working group Read more
Read more 19 February 2026 Working group Department of Political and Social Sciences Armed groups in Brazil and subnational state capacity in Mexico Read more