Your research focuses on global governance, EU and transatlantic security policies, and digital ecosystems. Could you tell us more about your work and some of your projects at the EUI in the context of your role as Joint Chair in International Relations in the Department of Political and Social Sciences and the Robert Schuman Centre?
My research was initially centred on multilateral cooperation—why and how national governments, often alongside private actors and civil society, collaborate despite having different interests and capacities. Cooperation is not always a given, and I find it very fascinating to understand why and in what ways it happens.
I began by focusing on European and transatlantic security, particularly why EU member states engaged in security and defence cooperation despite already being part of NATO. My dissertation examined this puzzle, showing that different national political parties understand and value NATO and the EU very differently. When in government, these parties have pushed for different political projects. Over time, my research has expanded into broader global governance questions, specifically the role of formal international organisations and their organisational alternatives, such as ad hoc coalitions.
One of my current projects at the Robert Schuman Centre, ‘Ad hoc crisis response and international organisations’, explores how international actors form temporary, issue-specific coalitions outside traditional intergovernmental structures. Rather than focusing solely on formal or informal organisations, this project examines how states and other actors come together to address specific challenges for a defined period.
Another major project, ‘Transforming and defending multilateralism’, funded under Horizon Europe and where Maastricht University is in the lead, looks at how multilateral practices are currently being challenged and what role the EU plays in this shifting landscape. My team’s contribution focuses on both the new challenges the EU faces and the ways in which it is adapting its multilateral engagement.
In addition, I have been working on governance in the digital space, particularly the governing of cyberspace. Alongside Patryk Pawlak, I am involved in the ‘Global initiative for the future of the Internet’ project, contracted by the European Commission. With a strong policy dimension, this initiative brings together academics, policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society to track how governance structures in the digital domain are evolving.
Global governance is shifting, with events like Trump’s election potentially reshaping longstanding institutions. How do you see these changes unfolding?
This is a key issue. The Trump administration has made it clear that it is no longer willing to pay for governance tasks both on the global and the transatlantic level the way previous US administrations have done. Beyond Trump’s re-election, China’s growing assertiveness in international organisations is a major factor. Over time, the Chinese government has expanded its influence in existing organisations like the United Nations, but also created new ones like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
The main question is not just where global politics will take place in the future and who will sit with whom at one table, but also what the issues will be that bring different actors together. Some actors, many of those in the EU, seek to uphold existing structures and counter revisionist shifts from both the US and China. This creates tensions between those pushing for change and those working to maintain the status quo. Understanding whether, and if so how, institutions will adapt to these pressures—whether through adjustment mechanisms or resilience strategies—will be a significant focus of my research in the coming years, also as part of the project on ‘Transforming and defending multilateralism’.
As part of your work at the EUI, you organise a seminar series that attracts strong attendance. What’s your secret?
Candies—like the ones you have here, in the office! Joking aside, the Europe in the World seminar series was designed as a space for discussing work in progress. Academic publications are often outdated by the time they appear in press due to lengthy peer review and publication processes. In contrast, our seminar series invites scholars to present their ongoing, unpublished research. I think that is one way of getting a good debate on current topics going.
Another key factor is collaboration. I work with researchers to identify themes and speakers, ensuring we invite experts who are well-known, from all career stages, and who align people’s interests here at the EUI. This collaborative effort makes the sessions more engaging for both presenters and attendees.
Finally, I try to create a relaxed and informal environment. During the seminars, I am always amazed by the quality of the questions asked by the participants, which contribute to the discussion and provide valuable feedback to the speakers. I just was told by a recent speaker that this seminar was one of her greatest academic experiences. We really have a great intellectual and constructive community here at the EUI. After each seminar, we continue discussions informally. These conversations extend beyond the papers, covering broader topics like the ins and outs of academia, upcoming conferences and of course international politics. This helps researchers understand the nitty-gritty mechanics of academia not only from me but also from other experts in the field.
Beyond academia, you’re involved in various organisations. Could you share some examples?
I serve on the academic scientific councils of two institutions. One is the International Peace and Conflict Institute at the University of Hamburg (Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitikl), where we meet annually to discuss research developments. I’ve also recently joined the scientific board of the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) in Berlin, a think tank advising the German government on foreign and security policy. SWP covers a wide range of topics, from regional affairs in Asia, Africa, and the post-Soviet space to broader global and European issues. In addition, I am a member of the John McCain Dissertation Award selection committee of the Munich Security Conference. These positions allow me to get involved and exchange with policymakers and shapers on a regular basis.
Stephanie Hofmann is Joint Chair in International Relations at the EUI Department of Political and Social Sciences and the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. She is Director of the Europe in the World research area at the Robert Schuman Centre.