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Comparative Political Economy Working Group

Political and Social Sciences

Competition Law

Law

The Competition Law Working Group is a forum for discussing issues related to completion law, policy and economics. We wish to bring together researchers interested in theoretical and practical issues associated with the law and economics of competition, as well as in addressing key developments in competition law. The working group organizes two kinds of events: reading sessions related to a specific topic under the supervision of a group member, on the one hand, and presentations by invited speakers on topics of interest for the working group, on the other. Researchers are also welcomed to present their work. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Giorgio Monti

Constitutionalism and Politics

Law

The Constitutionalism and Politics Working Group provides a platform for researchers who are interested in matters related to the (well)functioning of democratic states governed by the rule of law. Whereas politics cannot be exercised without properly operating institutional and legal framework, such a framework cannot make do without politics. It is this interplay between constitutionalism and politics and possible tensions created thereby that is of particular interest to our working group. The WG is devoted particularly to issues related to constitutional backsliding and political crises; constitutional reform and constitutional review; constitutional rights; the functioning of the rule of law: separation of powers in particular and checks and balances in general. Researchers working in areas of constitutional and political theory, legal and political philosophy, as well as history of ideas are particularly welcome. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Gábor Halmai

Eastern and Southern European Politics and Society Working Group

Political and Social Sciences

Economic History and Ideas

History and Civilization

Our working group on economic history and history of economic ideas (EHIWG) aims to bring together young and senior researchers working on economic history and related disciplines. In particular, it aims to foster the dialogue between early-modern and modern historians, intellectual historians, economists and all scholars interested in economic questions. Our topics range from – but are not confined to – economic development, the interaction between market structures and society, globalization, financial crises and inequality, to merchant networks, business elites and the origins of political economy. The group organizes student-run seminars and events with external speakers, encouraging the participation of students and scholars who wish to present their on-going research to a friendly audience of peers. Faculty liaison: Giorgio Riello Coordinators: J. Ludwig Pelzl and Guus Wiemann

Engaged Academics (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

History and Civilization Law

The EU is currently going through a very hard moment: Euroscepticism is spreading and citizens feel distant from the European project. This is why this group aims to "open the doors" of the Institute and connect the EUI with civil society at large. As is well known, civil society and academia are usually considered distant worlds, which often do not speak the same language and with very few things to share. Nonetheless, we believe that our initiative would pursue the twofold objective of making civil society benefit from EUI researchers' skills and knowledge, and providing young engaged academics - from every department - with a “civil society perspective” on their research topics. In practice, the purpose of this WG is thus to organize public debates, conferences and roundtables with citizens, local associations, schools and other institutions on the current challenges that the EU is facing (migration, social policy, gender equality issues, environmental and human rights protection, etc.). For starting, we aim at working "locally", therefore to be a member of the WG a decent level of Italian would be required. However, this will not prevent our WG from going beyond Tuscany or Italy in the future. Coordinators: Giovanni Costernaro (HEC) and Mario Pagano (LAW) Faculty liaison: Federico Romero

Environmental Law and Governance Working Group

Law

The field of environmental law is rapidly evolving and continuously impacting different areas of national, European and international law and governance. Environmental protection concerns have spread across many branches of international law: the body of human rights law acts as a prime example, but also other specialized fields such as trade, investment and even humanitarian law illustrate this tendency. Additionally, as a corollary to the proliferation and specialization of international (environmental) law, subfields of environmental law have emerged such as climate change law, energy governance, environmental litigation or environmental justice. The study of these branches relates to broader questions on global governance (of international public goods) and regulatory theories. Given the interest in these areas of a significant number of researchers and Professors at the EUI, access to information on environmental law and climate change law seems key to keep the debate alive and informed within the Institute. The ELG WG is conceived as a forum for EUI researchers and fellows to reflect on key developments in the theory and practice of international environmental law and governance. To this end, the ELG WG will convene a range of activities including workshops, conferences and guest lectures. EUI researchers and fellows will also present, discuss and peer-review their work. Activities will, therefore, include fortnightly lunchtime meetings where researchers can engage with each other’s work. We invite all researchers and fellows interested in topics relating to environmental law and governance to get involved with the ELG WG! The working group is thankful for the generous support of Prof. Joanne Scott.

EUI Political Behaviour Colloquium

Political and Social Sciences

The Political Behaviour Colloquium was founded in October 2007 and was initially sponsored by Prof. Mark Franklin. Now the colloquium is sponsored by Prof. Alexander Trechsel. The idea of the colloquium is to offer researchers and fellows interested in political behaviour a platform to discuss their work. We conceive political behaviour as broadly as you can imagine. So, our interests cover a very extensive field in political science that ranges from the foundations of attitudes towards leaders, governments or democracy to the process of voting decisions and the consequences of political participation. Empirically driven comparative analyses and case-studies are welcomed, and they can focus on the global, European, national or regional level. All EUI members (faculty, researchers, fellows, visiting fellows...) are very welcome to attend. We announce the calendar at the beginning of each term to the members of our mailing list. The schedule is also added to this webpage.

European Anti-Discrimination Law

Law

The European Anti-Discrimination Law Working Group consists of scholars who share a common research interest in anti-discrimination law in Europe. The Group meets on a bi-weekly basis during the academic year. It is designed to facilitate discussion about new developments in anti-discrimination law and provide a forum where researchers have the opportunity to present their work and solicit feedback from their colleagues. We welcome submissions at all stages of the drafting process, from exploratory works-in-progress to articles that are being revised for final publication. The Group focuses mainly on the CJEU, ECtHR, and the comparative study of anti-discrimination regimes within and outside of Europe. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Claire Kilpatrick.

European Private Law Working Group

Political and Social Sciences

The European Private Law Working Group has been established with the aim of providing a forum for researchers, fellows and professors willing to present and discuss their work. In order to meet the above-stated goal, the working group will organise guest lectures and workshops. In addition to this, the working group wishes to facilitate open discussion on European private law and especially recent developments in the field. For the purposes of the working group, European private law should be understood in a broad sense, including branches of law such as contract and tort law, consumer protection law, unfair commercial practices, intellectual property law and commercial law, with special attention paid to the interrelationship between primary community law and private law, as well as private law and regulated markets. All of the above contribute to a greater understanding of the European private law system. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Hans-W. Micklitz. We invite you to contact us if you are interested in private law and/or if you would like to present your research project in the framework of the European Private Law Working Group: [email protected] The Working Group is very thankful for the work of our former coordinators: Betül Kas Javier Habib Keiva Karr Lécia Vicente

European Private Law Working Group

Law

The European Private Law Working Group has been established with the aim of providing a forum for researchers, fellows and professors willing to present and discuss their work. In order to meet the above-stated goal, the working group will organise guest lectures and workshops. In addition to this, the working group wishes to facilitate open discussion on European private law and especially recent developments in the field. For the purposes of the working group, European private law should be understood in a broad sense, including branches of law such as contract and tort law, consumer protection law, unfair commercial practices, intellectual property law and commercial law, with special attention paid to the interrelationship between primary community law and private law, as well as private law and regulated markets. All of the above contribute to a greater understanding of the European private law system. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Hans-W. Micklitz. We invite you to contact us if you are interested in private law and/or if you would like to present your research project in the framework of the European Private Law Working Group: [email protected]

European Union Law

Law

The European Union Law Working Group is an initiative of new researchers from the Department of Law whose research projects are related to various domains of European Union Law. Research interests are diverse and include EU constitutional law, the EU institutions, protection of fundamental rights, data protection, financial stability, Banking Union, euro crisis law, EU external relations and trade law. The Group's main goal is to provide a platform for regular peer-review of developments in the research of its members. The timetable for the current academic year envisages meetings, twice a month. In the first term, discussion will concentrate on First Year Researchers' preliminary research questions. The focus of meetings in the second and third terms will be determined by developments in members' research and interests. All EUI law researchers, LL.M. or Ph.D., looking for opportunities to receive a feedback on their work from their peers, are welcome to participate in the Group. Researchers from other departments who are interested in issues related to EU law, as well as professors, fellows, visiting researchers and other academics, are also welcome. The Group's Supervisor are Professor Urška Šadl and Professor Joanne Scott .

Experimental Social Science Working Group

Economics

Finance, Innovation and Regulation Working Group

Law

The Finance, Innovation and Regulation Working Group brings together researchers working on topics related to the regulation of financial services, EU banking and capital regulation, with the aim to advance the debate on the disruptive changes and regulatory challenges brought by the recent wave of technological innovation, both at the service and infrastructure levels. Moreover, the working group is open to discussion of the Eurozone governance matters, including those pertaining to monetary policy and institutional questions. The group is conceived as a forum for specific discussions and presentations of papers covering this field (including peer review). Researchers and Fellows from all departments and the Robert Schuman Centre are welcome to attend and contribute as the working group seeks to facilitate synergies in research as well as interdisciplinary approaches. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Mathias Siems and Prof. Peter Drahos.

History of Science

History and Civilization

The History of Science Working Group has a broad scope, encompassing all aspects of the history of knowledge and science from the early modern period through to the contemporary world. Our discussions focus on the emergence, circulation and uses of knowledge in different places and contexts. We aim to explore traditional and new approaches, critically reviewing them in the light of our own research projects and using them to stimulate discussion on theoretical, methodological and practical issues. We hold informal monthly meetings which function as a “laboratory” to share and try out your work in progress and get feedback from other researchers. We will also be continuing our tradition of the “(Bring your own) Coffee with Historians” series where we will engage with invited scholars throughout the year, including Bruno Latour (Sciences Po, Paris) and Dagmar Schaffer (Max Planck Institut, Berlin). In the past, we have also organised excursions to places in Florence related to the group members interests, such as the Museo Galileo and the Biblioteca Nazionale. We also hope to expand our blog this year to provide researchers with an opportunity to communicate their research. Faculty liaison: Stéphane Van Damme Coordinators: Zoe Lauri, Gabriele Marcon and Camille Sallé

Human and Fundamental Rights Working Group

Law

The Human and Fundamental Rights Working Group provides a forum for researchers to discuss issues related to the protection of human rights at domestic, regional and international levels. As of April 2019, this Working Group combines the former Fundamental Rights Working Group (established in May 2011) and the Human Rights Working Group-Law in Action Project (newly relaunched in April 2018). The Working Group organises ad hoc events with invited external and internal speakers, and welcomes EUI researchers’ presentations. It also provides an informal forum for discussing ideas, papers and case law through monthly meetings of its members. Our ambition is to keep track of the latest international and European legal developments and to contribute to research on human rights protection carried out in various forms at the EUI’s LAW Department and beyond. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Martin Scheinin.

Imperial History

History and Civilization

Since the 1960s the traditional field of imperial history has undergone significant evolution, especially in the wake of wider historiographical developments including the cultural turn and the challenges of post-structuralism. Scholars have delivered significant critiques of the more traditional economic and political/diplomatic perspectives on empire. New ideas about gender and race relations, the relationship between metropole and colony and the dissemination of knowledge have transformed the field. Importantly, Saidian and other theories have problematized imperial historians’ reliance on colonial archives. The Imperial History Working Group brings together researchers working on various manifestations of imperialism and (post-)colonialism in the modern world to engage with these developments and the ways in which they influence our work. Imperial history is often practiced in institutional environments that are regionally, and often nationally, focused. The EUI, on the contrary, brings together scholars of colonialism and imperialism who work on very diverse geographical spaces. The Imperial History Working Group aims to bring into dialogue researchers who are interested in deepening their understanding of imperial history across regional specializations. Faculty liaison: Corinna Unger Coordinators: Bastiaan Nugteren, Armel Campagne and Daphné Budasz

INFOSOC (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

Law Political and Social Sciences

The Information Society Working Group (InfoSoc WG) is an interdisciplinary forum for EUI researchers and fellows from all departments and the Robert Schuman Centre to reflect on key developments in the theory and practice on topics and themes related to the Information Society, Internet Governance, and Intellectual Property rights. The InfoSoc WG has been active at the EUI since Spring term 2006, and is currently supported by Prof. Peter Drahos.

Intellectual History

History and Civilization

Since intellectual history is nowadays associated with a wide range of methodologies and practices, historical periods, and research topics, it lacks a clearly defined institutional identity. These differences form the starting point of this working group, which aims to function as a platform to discuss historical research and methods that can be associated with the intellectual historian as an ‘eavesdropper on the past’, to use the words of John Burrow, ranging from the Early-modern period to the present. It welcomes disagreement and dialogue on the practice, theory, and limits of intellectual history. The working group organizes meetings with visiting scholars, workshops, and lectures. The group meets every two weeks, and the meetings usually consist of an introductory presentation and a general discussion. Please check the webpage of the working group. Faculty liaison: Ann Thomson Coordinators: Bert Drejer, Tom Ashby, Elias Buchetmann, Henning Schuler, Gertjan Schutte

International Law

Law

The International Law Working Group (IL WG) is a forum for EUI researchers to better inform themselves on key developments in the area of international law. Throughout the year, researchers convene a range of activities to reflect their research interests as well as to reflect on current developments in the practice of international law. Activities include fortnightly lunchtime meetings where researchers can discuss each other’s work and also include workshops or conferences, lectures, and are often held in collaboration with other working groups. The IL WG is a continuation of the International Criminal Law Working Group established in 2002 at the initiative of Prof. Pierre-Marie Dupuy, and is currently supported by Professors Martin Scheinin, Francesco Francioni and Nehal Bhuta.

Interviewing and Oral History (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

History and Civilization Political and Social Sciences

The Interviewing and Oral History Working Group aims to provide a researcher led platform on which to discuss any and all methodological queries that come up in research based on interviewing. We plan to discuss concrete issues such as the theory behind different interviewing methods/styles and how they translate into practice. More specifically themes may include, but are not limited to, starting an interview project, doing interviews, processing interviews, using interviews in independent research (analytical and writing processes), videotaping, preserving interviews in libraries and archives, and teaching and presenting the material to the public. Likewise, this group will act as a place where researchers can present their own work and receive feedback, as well as occasionally invite guest speakers for discussion on themes we find interesting as a collective. Most importantly this is an inter-disciplinary working group, for researchers from all departments, as we believe cross-disciplinary discussion on interviewing can only provide us with advantages, leading to a more refined and complex take on the interviewing process. Coordinators: Ana Maria Spariosu (HEC), Brian O’Connor (SPS) Liaison Professor: Alexander Etkind.

Latin America (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

History and Civilization Law Political and Social Sciences

After two centuries of formal independence from European imperial powers, Latin America is no longer regarded as a “recipient” of ideas, but as a region generating its own objectives and developing its own path. In the last decades, it has experienced extensive economic growth, and has gone through complex and unique processes of democratization and transitional justice, as well as regional integration. A product of intricate historical realities, Latin America is still challenged by high rates of inequality and poverty, occurrence of State’s and non-State actors’ violence, non-democratic practices, and discrimination based on gender and race. The Latin America Working Group is the forum of reflection on Latin American topics at the European University Institute. It holds seminars and workshops where researchers can discuss their work on an interdisciplinary basis. Through its informal talks and its blog, the working group promotes informed reflection on current Latin American issues. On top of this, the working group is a network of current and former EUI researchers, as well as external researchers, working in connection with Latin America. Faculty liaison: Regina Grafe (HEC) and Philippe Schmitter (SPS). Coordinators: Julie Wetterslev (LAW), Victoria Garin Gimenez (LAW), Pablo Cañon García (HEC), Irina Muñoz Ibarra (LAW) and Asensio Robles Lopez (HEC).

Law and Economics Working Group

Law

The Law and Economics Working Group is a forum for discussing the developments in the dialogue between legal and economic scholarship. The aim is to gather researchers interested in understanding the advantages and disadvantages of adopting an economic-informed methodology in their research as compared to purely legal approaches or to approaches grounded in other social sciences. The working group organizes two kinds of events. First, reading sessions related to a specific topic (examples could be: efficiency vs distribution; L&E descriptive and/or normative theories of value, norms, remedies, enforcement, contracts, financial services, competition, non-market behaviour, law-making, judicial decisions; comparative institutional analysis), possibly under the supervision of a group member. Researchers can also present their work, provided it applies or discusses a law and economics framework. Second, presentations by invited speakers on topics of interest for the working group. The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Giorgio Monti and Prof. Stefan Grundmann.

Legal and Political Theory (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

Law Political and Social Sciences

The Legal and Political Theory Working Group was founded in 2002 when a few researchers met to discuss their papers. Its aim is to provide both established academics and PhD researchers an opportunity to discuss and improve their theoretically-oriented work within a friendly yet academically rigorous setting. A typical session lasts two hours and consists of a short (20/30 minute) presentation by the speaker followed by discussion. One of the working group’s most cherished traits is its openness; we are proud to have been the hub of theoretically-minded people at the EUI for so many years and to have successfully bridged the cleavages between EUI’s departments and academic traditions. Hence, if your work deals with any strand of legal or political theory, or simply think that your research will benefit from theoretical insights, do get in touch at [email protected] The current conveners of the working group are Szymon Osmola (Law) and Pavel Skigin (SPS). The group is grateful for the support of Prof. Andrea Sangiovanni and Prof. Martijn Hesselink.

LGBTIQ (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

History and Civilization Law

LGBTI and queer studies working group aims to provide an environment for discussions on different issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people. We plan to discuss papers written by EUI researchers, exchange thoughts on queer theory and occasionally invite guest speakers. Researchers studying gender and sexuality from historical, political, sociological, legal and economic perspectives are warmly welcomed to attend our meetings and present their ideas. We would be pleased to see at our events members of the EUI LGBTI community, for we would like to maintain a link between academic studies and the social groups in question. Coordinators: Enise Seyda Kapusuz (HEC), Sophia Ayada (LAW) Liaison professor: Pieter Judson.

Macro Working Group

Economics

Thursdays, 13.15 to 14.15 The Macro Working Group consists of Ph.D. students and faculty members from the European University Institute Department of Economics whose research broadly encompasses the field of macroeconomics. The aim of the group is to provide a forum that offers opportunities for Ph.D. students and faculty members to present and discuss current work. The forum usually takes place on Thursday from 13.15 to 14.15 at Villa San Paolo (Via della Piazzuola, 43). If you would like to present or have any questions, please contact the organisers David Koll and Joonseok Jason Oh.

Micro Working Group

Economics

Tuesdays, 11:30 to 12:30 The aim of the MWG is to provide a forum for researchers to present projects that are work in progress and an opportunity for early stage feedback and discussion. We particularly invite 2nd, 3rd and 4th PhD students to participate and present within the group. However, the group is of course open to all who feel it provides the appropriate forum for their work. If you would like to present in the group or have any questions regarding the MWG, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the organizers Giovanni Andreottola.

Microeconometrics Working Group

Economics

The aim of the Microeconometrics Working Group (MEWG) is to provide a forum for both doctoral students and faculty to present projects that are work in progress. During each meeting, the presenter will have one hour to present, discuss and get feedback from the rest of the participants. We encourage PhD students at the EUI, particularly in their second to fourth year, to participate and present their work, but external presenters are also welcome occasionally. If you would like to present, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the organiser Gozde Corekcioglu ([email protected]). We are looking forward to seeing your work!

Migration and Mobility

History and Civilization

Migration and mobility are quintessential aspects of the human condition. This working group seeks to bring together historians who are investigating the movements of people, objects and ideas across the globe. Our goal is to unearth the diverse range of reasons which have motivated humans to travel over any given geographical distance throughout history. We also strive to untangle the complex networks of exchange which were formed by mobility and can be found in all aspects of human culture: be it in trade, art, literature, music – or even in our daily food. Inviting resident researchers and visiting scholars alike, the working group serves as an open platform where anyone can freely share novel approaches, individual projects or thought-provoking ideas related to spatial movement in any shape or form. Faculty liaison: Pieter M. Judson and Lucy Riall. Coordinators: Sebastian Dragan Majstorovic and Daniel Banks

Nationalism (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

History and Civilization Law Max Weber Programme Political and Social Sciences

The Nationalism Working Group is an interdisciplinary framework for the discussion of current research projects in the fields of nationalism as well as the most recent developments in the scholarly assessment of the complex problem of nationalism. We intend to cover theoretical and conceptual problems of nationalist movements, sub state nationalism, citizenship, colonialism and anti-colonial movements, diaspora nationalism, nationalist ideology and indifference, and many other fields and problems in past and in present. We encourage the participation of students and scholars who intend to present their research and want to engage in the discussion of this critical concept. The group meets roughly once a month. Faculty liaison: Pieter M. Judson Coordinator: Benoit Vaillot (HEC), Zeynep Simsek (LAW)

Political History

History and Civilization

The Political History Working Group (PHWG) is an open platform to address Early Modern and Modern political history, with special attention paid to the juncture between these two: the so-called long 19th century (1750-1917). The main goal of this working group is to address new perspectives and methodologies of researching political history, discussing about them and enrichening our historiographical approach. Some of the topics to be approached and discussed are political cultures (and cultural approaches to politics), identities (with a special focus on gender, class and nationalism), politicization, state-building, social control and revolutions, all of them addressed mainly with a from-below perspective. Coordinators: Ignacio García de Paso and Stefano Poggi. Faculty liaison: Lucy Riall

Political Violence and Civil War Dynamics Working Group

Political and Social Sciences

Public History

History and Civilization

The Public History Working Group aims to be a platform for researchers interested in the transmission of historical knowledge outside of academia. Secondly, it will offer the opportunity to discuss the relationship between memory and history and the connections between historical sources and popular audiences. While the term ‘Public History’ remains difficult to define, it might primarily be regarded as a practice. Public historians work with and for people outside of the profession through collaborative studies or through practices of history that make historical research accessible and useful to the public. Secondly, public history meets the interests of historians working on the public understanding of the past, memory, and the political usage of history and heritage. More widely, public history is a way for historians to reflect on their field. One of the purposes of this Working Group is to encourage researchers to think about the communication of the results of their research to the public, using different tools and formats. Academic historians could engage in public history activities in various ways including publications for a non-academic audience, podcasts, TV documentaries and museum work. Through the organisation of workshops and events with PhD researchers as well as external speakers, this Working Group is an opportunity to discuss examples of successful public history projects and approaches. In this way, it will present professional perspectives for HEC researchers who consider pursuing a career outside academia. Coordinators: Anastasia Remes and Daphné Budasz. Faculty liaison: Serge Noiret

RELEX Working Group on EU External Relations (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

Economics Law Political and Social Sciences

The Relex Working Group is a researcher-run group, intended to bring together researchers of all disciplines interested in EU External Relations. The group meets regularly once a month to discuss topics covering the following areas: The EU as a Foreign Security and Defence Policy Actor The EU’s Role in the World The EU as an exporter of norms EU Actors and Institutions shaping European External Action The Role of Member States in the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy The Role of the European Court of Justice in External Relations The Post-Lisbon Common Commercial Policy We strongly encourage our members to present and discuss their research in the working group which, as an informal forum, provides a friendly atmosphere to receive comments, suggestions and opinions on your subject and methodology. We also invite visiting scholars and external speakers to participate in the working group sessions, present their work and exchange views with resident working group members. In addition, the working group also organises workshops, seminars and conferences in the area of EU External Relations. Throughout the year, we would like our members to create a mutually supportive network and we strongly encourage participants to attend on a regular basis to create a cohesive group and provide continuity to discussions.

Religion and Politics Working Group

Political and Social Sciences

The Religion and Politics Working Group (RPWG) was set up in October 2009 by Timothy Peace and Alexander Stummvoll as a response to the growing number of researchers, fellows and faculty at the EUI with an interest in the topic. Workshops were organised by RPWG members in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Please join our mailing list and we will keep you updated on our activities as well as on other current events in the academic field of religion and politics.

Security, Borders and Criminal Justice Working Group

Law

The “Security, Borders and Criminal Justice” Working Group provides a platform for researchers who are interested in discussing issues related to the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. This includes topics ranging from European criminal and procedural law, policing and judicial cooperation, data-sharing for law enforcement purposes, to security aspects of migration. The Working Group intends to organize events with internal researchers, external speaker and practitioners of the field. The ultimate aim is the creation of a network of experts in a field that is gaining increasing importance at the Institute. The Group is grateful for the support of Prof. Deirdre Curtin.

Social Movements Working Group. Marxism(s) is Social Movements

Political and Social Sciences

Academic working groups are powerful scholarly tools where junior and senior students can present their empirical works, discuss theories and concepts, and exchange innovative ideas in a friendly and scientific stimulating environment. Their proliferation and recognition within academia help overcome the rigid disciplinary distinctions of sciences, facilitating a fruitful scientific cooperation among scholars from different ideological schools of thought. Working groups seem to be even more important today, in the so called knowledge society, to the extent that their proliferation can contribute to breaking down the ivory tower of academia, facilitating the socialization and dissemination of critical knowledge. Working group can, thus, be seen as the cornerstone of knowledge production in contemporary society. It is precisely with this spirit that we aim at (re)launching the EUI Social Movement Working Group for the academic year 2014/2015 by organizing a new seminar series on the theme of “the return of Marx” in contemporary sociology, and especially in social movement studies. Doing so, we think to resume at best the tradition of scientific cooperation, theoretical challenges, and exchange of ideas characterizing the past editions of the Social Movement Working Group within the EUI academic community. Writing a PhD thesis is not a solipsistic intellectual effort produced by an individual mind, but rather needs to be constantly fuelled by the presence of a stimulating academic community. We think that the relaunch of the Social Movement Working Group represents a small yet indispensable step for the construction of that community.

Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies (Interdisciplinary Working Group)

History and Civilization Political and Social Sciences

Czesław Miłosz once labeled Russia as “a big void to the East”. The task of our group is to respond to this void by sharing the ideas and expertise across the departments of the EUI. We are interested in everything that we see in geographical, temporal, or ideological proximity to the history of the Soviet Union and politics of post-Soviet Eurasia. From empires to nation-states, from everyday life to power politics, and from Finland to Central Asia to Cuba - we appreciate any comparative studies that put socialist and post-socialist experiences into a broader context. The group is interdepartmental, and scholars from economics, sociology, history and political science are warmly invited. As a part of Soviet and Post-Soviet Working Group we also discuss various Jewish experiences in Europe (predominantly in 19th and 20th centuries). We aim to assess modern Jewish politics in Central/Eastern Europe as well as the impacts imperial and national developments had for the Jewish population of the region. We are especially welcoming comparative and transnational approaches. Coordinator: Maryna Batsman (HEC), Philipp Chapkovskiy (SPS) and Bohdan Shumylovych (HEC) Faculty Liaison: Alexander Etkind

The European Union Studies Working Group

Political and Social Sciences

The Middle East Working Group

Robert Schuman Centre

Over the last decade, the Middle East has acquired significant importance in international and European politics, and has increasingly attracted the interest of EUI scholars. The Middle East Working Group provides a forum for sharing perspectives, research methodologies and work-in-progress to EUI researchers, fellows and professors whose research focus revolves around the Middle East and North Africa (including the area from Morocco to Afghanistan).

The Migration Working Group

Robert Schuman Centre

Migration is a multidisciplinary field that has been strongly represented in the academic research of the EUI, in particular at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. Since several years, EUI researchers, fellows and professors working on projects related to migration and to the integration of immigrants meet in the Migration Working Group to discuss their research in an informal and creative atmosphere for interdisciplinary debate. Demography, social geography, anthropology, history, economics, law, sociology, and political science are among the key disciplines represented in the working group.

Visual and Material History

History and Civilization

The Visual and Material History Working Group offers a platform to discuss how historical research relates to the issues of visuality and materiality. How do historians engage with visual and material sources? What specific challenges does it bring forth? What are the different methodologies and theoretical approaches available to historians using images and objects as sources? Our group aims to discuss a wide range of visual sources, including paintings, drawings, objects, popular artefacts, photography, cartography, architecture. The topics approached in the working group are not chronologically-bounded and they may include (but are not confined to) cultural propaganda, arts and politics, the exploration of taste, visual styles, cross-cultural exchanges of images and objects, material culture, construction of landscapes. The working group wishes to encourage the discussion among researchers through a variety of session formats. Some sessions will offer to the researchers the opportunity to present and receive feedback on their questions, challenges and preliminary findings. In other sessions, key academic works, selected according to an interdisciplinary criterion, will be discussed. Other meetings may focus on specific thematic questions (e.g. types of sources, interpretation, historical context). The question of how to communicate our own research visually (e.g. printed format or exhibitions) will be also raised, and this may lead to meetings with Florence-based curators. Finally, the organisers will also invite external speakers willing to share their experience with all of us. Coordinators: Moïra Dato, Elena Rizzi and Iseabail Rowe. Faculty liaison: Giorgio Riello

Intranet

Web working group

Communications Service

The EUI Web Working group is composed by all the Web professionals that are using one or more web services provided by the EUI Web Unit.

Working Group on Social and Economic Inequality

Political and Social Sciences

The mission of the working group is to facilitate the exchange of research on varous aspects of social inequality among EUI researchers and professors, and, to the extent possible, push this discussion beyond the boundaries of the EUI research community by attracting external speakers and audiences. IWG is covened by EUI professor Fabrizio Bernardi. Anybody willing to contribute his or her research to one of the upcoming sessions or receive information about forthcoming events feel free to write an e-mail to the organizers of the working group: Diederik Boertien ([email protected]) and Gordey Yastrebov ([email protected]).

Page last updated on 19 August 2017

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