Prof. Dr. Christian Kaunert, assisted by Mr Silviu Piros, leading a team of researchers from the Institute for European Studies (IES), has been awarded a Jean Monnet Chair in EU Counter-Terrorism (EXACT) for three years, starting from September 2017. Jean Monnet Chairs, as part of the prestigious Life Long Learning programme of the European Union, are very competitive, highly prestigious awards designed to undertake advanced research and teaching activities at a leading research organisation in Europe.

​In July 2017, Prof. Florian Trauner was invited to teach at the International Summer School of Renmin University of China. His course entitled ‘The EU in crisis – understanding current issues in European Politics’ was attended by 28 Chinese and international students.

From Monday 3 July to Friday 14 July, the Institute for European Studies joined forces with the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna and the University of Vienna to organise the Inter-University Summer School on EU Policy Making. This intensive two-week programme packed with interactive seminars and study visits focusses on the functioning of the EU institutions and decision-making procedures as well as on EU foreign relations. This year, Brexit was in the spotlight, and the summer school participants gained insights into the consequences of the UK’s departure from the EU. 

For the third time in its history, the Institute for European Studies has been awarded the title of 'Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence'. Through a project, led by Prof. Dr. Christian Kaunert and Mr Silviu Piros, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence title is ensured for a further three years. Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence are a part of the prestigious Life Long Learning programme of the European Union.

1 September 2017 marked the official launch of a new 3-year project that the IES is involved in as a beneficiary and Workpackage Leader: “MINDb4ACT - Mapping, IdentifyiNg and Developing skills and opportunities in operating environments to co-create innovative, ethical and effective ACTions to tackle radicalization leading to violent extremism”.

In the current difficult environment, will the EU be able to protect its citizens while also projecting its values into the world? In what ways has the EU’s international role and standing been subject to change? We invite paper abstracts and panel proposals (deadline 23 October) for the sixth European Union in International Affairs (#EUIA18) conference (16 - 18 May 2018 in Brussels), a multidisciplinary biannual event at which international studies scholars and policy practitioners debate the role of the EU in the turbulent realm of international affairs. In 2018 it will focus on the theme of ‘Protecting and Projecting Europe’.