Research

Research at the European Institute is structured around three themes which we see as central to fully understanding what Europe is, what Europe does and how Europe works.

EU Governance examines the politics, law and policy of both the European Union and wider processes of Europeanisation within and beyond the EU’s borders. European Ideas and Identities looks at evolutions in understandings of Europe as well as central themes associated with it, such as religion, liberalism and modernity. European Political Economy looks at the relations between State and market as well as questions of economy policy-making and social policy within Europe.

The Institute has a number of research centres which cut across these themes. The Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies researches the history, politics economics, sociology and culture of contemporary Spain. The Central European Observatory looks at patterns of executive action and legislation in Central Europe.  The Economic and Social Cohesion Laboratory looks at spatial development and social capital in the EU. The Hellenic Observatory looks at the politics, economics, sociology and institutions of contemporary Greece and South East Europe.