Conference

Science for policy in a changing world

• Annetje Ottow

Date

Wednesday 19 February 2025

Time

11:30 - 15:30 hour

Address

European Parliament
Korte Vijverberg 5-6
2513 AB The Hague

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Registration form

How can cutting-edge research help tackle Europe’s greatest challenges?

In a world of rapid change and growing complexity, bridging the gap between academic research and policy is more crucial than ever. Leiden University’s Europe Hub invites you to an engaging event at the European Parliament Library, where leading scholars and policymakers will come together to address key issues shaping the European Union’s future.

Leiden University’s Europe Hub, an interdisciplinary platform addressing Europe’s most pressing societal challenges, is hosting a research event at the European Parliament Library. Titled 'Science for Policy in a Changing World: Insights from Leiden University’s Europe Hub,' the event will showcase cutting-edge research by Leiden scholars on topics central to the European Union’s policy agenda. These include migration policy, the legitimacy of rule of law sanctions, and the contestation of EU foreign and security policy.

In collaboration with the Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) panel of the European Parliament, the event aims to foster dialogue among academics, policymakers, and the public, bridging the gap between research and policy and enabling reflection on shared challenges faced by the EU.

Event focus, objectives and audience

The primary objective of this event is to highlight the latest research from Leiden University’s experts, addressing critical issues within EU policy debates. It also seeks to explore how academic insights can effectively inform policy, strengthening the collaboration between science and policymaking to achieve better outcomes.

Specifically, the event has two key goals:

1. To present recent findings by Leiden University researchers on migration, rule of law sanctions, and EU foreign policy.
2. To facilitate an exchange of knowledge between researchers and policymakers, fostering discussions on research-driven solutions to current and emerging EU challenges.

The event is open to a diverse audience, including:

• Policymakers: Members of the European Parliament, EU officials, and national representatives.
• Academics: Scholars from Leiden University and other research institutions.
• The public: Representatives of civil society organisations, think tanks, and interested citizens.

Research themes and speakers

The event will feature opening keynote speeches by:

• Prof. Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board, Leiden University.
• Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe and former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Both speakers will reflect on how academia-policy collaboration can lead to better decision-making and contribute to addressing societal challenges.

A panel discussion titled 'Current and Evolving Challenges to Europe in a Changing World' will delve into pressing issues such as migration, sanctions, the rule of law, and the contestation of EU foreign policy. Leiden University professors will present recent research findings published in leading peer-reviewed journals, engaging policymakers in discussions about the practical implications of these insights for policy development.

The panel will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration to address the EU's current and future challenges.

Draft programme

Drinks and light lunch hosted by Prof. Ottow, Leiden University

Venue: European Parliament, Multifunctional Area in Spinelli building

• MEP Lina Gálvez on behalf of STOA Network members
• Prof. Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board, Leiden University

Venue: European Parliament, Library

• Introductions: Seda Gürkan, Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden University
• Key note: Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe and former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

• Moderated by Joachim Koops, Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden University
• The New Pact on Migration: Embedded Illiberalism?, Sarah Wolff, Institute of History, Leiden University

• Public contestation and responsiveness of the EU as a law-maker and enforcer, Dimiter Toshkov, Institute of Public Administration and Nikoleta Yordanova, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University
• Populists’ contestation of EU Foreign and Security Policy, Karolina Pomorska, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University
• Building a Climate and Energy Union: legal constraints and avenues for constitutional reform, Armin Cuyvers and Vincent Delhomme, Europa Institute, Leiden University

Pieter Jan Kleiweg de Zwaan, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the European Union in Brussels (tbc)

Registration

Please, register for this event via this form.

Contact

This event highlights Leiden University’s research expertise through its Europe Hub network, featuring leading scholars on topics critical to Europe’s future. The event is organised in collaboration with the STOA Panel of the European Parliament, demonstrating the importance of academic-policy partnerships.

For more information, please contact Dr. Seda Gürkan, a member of the Europe Hub Steering Committee, at [e-mail].