DPIR’S Dr Eli Gateva awarded University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) funding to analyse Europe’s East-West divide.
DPIR’s Departmental Lecturer in European Union Politics Dr Eli Gateva has been jointly awarded UACES Research network funding with Dr Julia Rone (University of Cambridge) and Dr Emilija Tudzarovska (Charles University, Prague/Czech Academy of Sciences) to launch and develop ‘Rethinking Europe’s East-West Divide’ network.
The network aims to overcome disciplinary siloes and fully integrate the study of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) into mainstream European Politics and European Union Studies. Their term as convenors will last for three years, running from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026.
With a view to building an inclusive interdisciplinary community, the network brings together a diverse group of scholars at various stages of their careers; with expertise in political science, history and political economy; based in more than 20 institutions across 14 countries.
Furthermore, the network is committed to creating a platform for voices and perspectives, often marginalised in the field of European studies. The network will encourage studying East and West together by fostering lively academic exchange at online and in-person events, as well as networking between scholars interested in comparing both regions.
As ten countries prepare to celebrate 20 years of EU membership, and with enlargement firmly back on the Union’s agenda, there is no better time to rethink Europe’s East-West divide, challenge outdated stereotypes and advance a novel research agenda.”
The network will organise panels on Central and Eastern European politics in a broader comparative perspective at major conferences (European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), Council for European Studies (CES), UACES) boosting the visibility of the network and expanding its membership.
As the network will support the development of an edited book on Central and Eastern European Politics, its publication will have a long-lasting impact on the study of the region. Furthermore, it will be a stepping stone to new research projects and collaborations.
A two-day Network Launch Conference: Rethinking Europe’s East-West Divide was held in March at St Antony’s College in Oxford.
The event brought together a diverse group of scholars from a range of disciplines including comparative politics, EU politics, political economy, international relations and history.
The conference recordings are now available online:
- Introduction & Network Launch
- Panel 5: Risks to Representative Democracy in the European Union
- Panel 6: Rethinking Europe’s East-West Divide - 20 Years since the Big Bang Enlargement
- Panel 7: Rethinking Europe’s East-West Divide and European Integration in a New Geopolitical Era
If you are interested in the network and want to know more about activities and future plans, you can subscribe to their mailing list.
To become a member of the network and/or share ideas, please email the network.
