European Consortium for Political Research

European Consortium for Political Research
Name	European Consortium for Political Research
Formation	1970
Type	Association
Headquarters	Colchester
Region served	Europe
Membership	Political scientists, institutions
Leader title	President

European Consortium for Political Research is a scholarly association founded in 1970 to foster collaboration among political scientists across Europe. It promotes comparative study through networks, publications, conferences, and training, liaising with universities, research institutes, funding bodies, and national academies. The Consortium interacts with major European institutions and learned societies to shape research agendas and professional standards.

History

The Consortium emerged from meetings among scholars influenced by debates in Jean Monnet-era integration studies, discussions following the Treaty of Rome, and contacts among departments at University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Università di Bologna, and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Early figures included guests from European University Institute, London School of Economics, Freie Universität Berlin, Central European University, and Sciences Po, and it developed alongside initiatives like the European Research Council and frameworks such as the Framework Programme (EU). During the Cold War period the Consortium expanded contacts with scholars linked to Kremlin-era studies, post-1990 it integrated colleagues from institutions such as Charles University and University of Warsaw. Over subsequent decades it adapted to changes associated with enlargement to include members from Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, and the former Yugoslavia successor states, while responding to policy shifts tied to the Maastricht Treaty and the Lisbon Treaty.

Organization and Governance

Governance features an elected President drawn from universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Humboldt University of Berlin, Università degli Studi di Milano, or London School of Economics, supported by an Executive Committee with representatives from national associations like the British Academy, Académie des sciences morales et politiques, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and the Royal Irish Academy. Administrative functions are often hosted by departments at institutions including University of Essex, Universitat de Barcelona, and University of Cologne; legal status and financial oversight interact with bodies like the European Commission and philanthropic foundations such as the European Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. Advisory panels have included members from think tanks such as Chatham House, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Centre for European Policy Studies.

Membership and Networks

Membership encompasses individual scholars, departmental units, and national associations from universities and institutes like University of Bergen, University of Helsinki, University of Vienna, University of Zurich, Trinity College Dublin, Universidade de Lisboa, Jagiellonian University, Eötvös Loránd University, Sofia University, and Universitetet i Oslo. The Consortium maintains specialized European-wide research networks spanning subfields that connect scholars from the European University Institute, Central European University, Sciences Po, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, and Institute for Advanced Study affiliates, and links with professional bodies like the American Political Science Association and the International Political Science Association.

Research and Publications

The Consortium supports edited volumes and monographs published by presses such as Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, and Springer Nature, and encourages journals associated with departments at London School of Economics, Universität Mannheim, Universität Zürich, Universität Leiden, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. It has facilitated research on topics intersecting with studies produced at European University Institute, College of Europe, Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), and policy work by European Parliament staff, while collaborating on comparative projects tied to datasets maintained by institutions like the European Social Survey, European Values Study, and archives at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.

Conferences and Events

The Consortium organizes large biennial events attracting presenters from universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, and European centers including Sciences Po, Central European University, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Events often feature panels with representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, national ministries, and international agencies such as the United Nations and NATO. Regional workshops have taken place at host institutions including Trinity College Dublin, Universität Basel, University of Ljubljana, and Università di Roma La Sapienza.

Training and Grants

Training programs and summer schools have been run in partnership with departments at Universidad de Salamanca, University of Glasgow, Universidad de Granada, University of Warsaw, University of Sarajevo, and centers like the European University Institute. Funding streams include grants administered in coordination with the European Research Council, national research councils such as the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and foundations including the Open Society Foundations and Ford Foundation. The Consortium awards small grants, visiting fellowships, and travel bursaries to early-career researchers affiliated with institutions like University of Edinburgh, KU Leuven, Université catholique de Louvain, and Universidade do Porto.

Impact and Criticism

The Consortium has shaped disciplinary networks linking scholars at London School of Economics, Sciences Po, European University Institute, Central European University, and Universität Mannheim, influencing curriculum design at departments such as Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and fostering cross-border projects funded by the European Commission. Criticisms include concerns voiced by scholars from Central European University, Charles University, and other newer member institutions about unequal resource distribution, debates mirrored in disputes involving entities like the European Research Council and national funding agencies, and discussions about inclusivity raised alongside broader controversies in academia involving Open Society Foundations funding and the role of elite institutions such as University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.

Category:Political science organizations