On Thursday 12, October, CERiM will kick off the start of our Maastricht Monnet Lecture series with a reflective lecture on the state of European Integration by Mr. Anthony Teasdale.
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Understanding Europe is a podcast series produced by the Maastricht Diplomat, in collaboration with CERiM. Throughout the episodes, Charelle and Brendan interview experts from CERiM to dig deeper into the various research done on the EU, but also on Europe at large. The podcast series aims to contextualise and unpack local dynamics within EU member states but also international dynamics between EU and its neighboring regions.
On this webpage you can find all episodes of our podcast series Understanding Europe. You can also listen to our podcast on various podcast platforms.
2024
Episode 11: The Eastern Neighbourhood
2023
Episode 9: A Decentered Perspective
Episode 8: On Memory and Identity
Episode 7: Open Strategic Autonomy?
Episode 5: Ukraine, 1 year later
Episode 4: The future of global trade
2022
Episode 3: Digital sovereignty
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The CEEhub at Maastricht University is a research group focused on exploring the social, economic, political, and cultural landscapes of the diverse countries in central and eastern Europe (CEE). Our aim is to engage with the complexities and unique identities of individual nation-states in this area. We produce and promote critical research that seeks to address contemporary challenges facing CEE countries, including EU enlargement, geopolitical tensions, energy security, historical memory, and the effects of polarisation and misinformation.
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Explore Our Research Focus Areas:
At the CEEhub, we examine the evolution of political systems, governance models, and democratic practices in countries such as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and throughout the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. A key focus of our research is the process of democratisation in the CEE countries, where we investigate the challenges and successes of transitioning to democratic governance. We also assess the impact of EU enlargement policy on these processes, exploring how EU membership impacts on political reforms, institutional development, and civil society engagement.
We highlight concerning trends, including the rise of authoritarianism, the erosion of democratic norms, and the increasing influence of external actors like Russia and China. Our analyses of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its broader implications for security in Europe include investigating Russia's imperialist ambitions and their effects on democratic reforms, local governance, and national identity. Additionally, we assess the responses of the EU and NATO to these geopolitical challenges, focusing on military cooperation, sanctions, and diplomatic strategies aimed at maintaining stability and security. Our research also addresses societal challenges, as well as human rights practices and the role of civil society in promoting democracy and social justice in the face of rising authoritarianism.
Energy security is another critical area of our research. We investigate issues of energy dependence, diversification, and the urgent transition to renewable sources, especially in the context of the ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine. Our studies evaluate national energy policies and their impacts on economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
We also aim to foster a deeper appreciation of the CEE countries' rich and complex histories. Our research focuses on the unique historical trajectories that shape the political, social, and cultural landscapes of individual CEE countries. We explore how past events, such as imperial rule, conflicts, war, and the legacy of communism, for example, influence contemporary domestic politics and geopolitics. Furthermore, we explore the interplay between cultural identity and historical memory, and how historical narratives shape current political identities and influence societal cohesion, recognising the deep historical roots of contemporary politics within and between the CEE countries.
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Join Us:
The CEEhub at Maastricht University aspires to be a leading centre for research on central and eastern Europe, committed to addressing the unique complexities of individual countries while contributing to a global understanding of their dynamics. We invite you to join us in this vital work, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments and tensions, and their profound implications for European security. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and showcasing our members' innovative and leading research on central and eastern Europe, the CEEhub aims to make a meaningful impact on both academic and policy spheres.
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On 20 April, CERiM held its second annual conference on "Contestation of Expertise in the European Union: Policy-making between evidence-based decision-making and post-truth politics" at the Crowne Plaza, Maastricht.
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