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University Center for International Studies European Studies Center

Conversations On Europe (Archive Collection)

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Conversations On Europe connects top experts from around the United States and Europe to discuss contemporary issues facing Europe and the Transatlantic relationship. Using both personal and institutional videoconference technology, panelists take questions and interact with audiences at Pitt and at remote sites in the US and Europe. Conversations On Europe is free and open to the public. A complete library of video resources to enhance transatlantic conversations is also now available.  In addition, you can view the full Playlist for Conversations on Europe on the Pitt Global Channel of YouTube. Please note, however, that the supplemental materials are only available by clicking on the topics listed below.

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

With thanks to our co-sponsoring partners in the network of Jean Monnet Centers in the U.S.A, especially: the Miami-Florida Jean Monnet European Center of Excellence at Florida International University; the EU Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne; the Center for European Studies at the University of Florida; the Center for European Studies at the University of Texas – Austin; and the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology

We welcome your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series. Please take our survey.

Conversations on Europe: The State of Democracy in Europe

The State of Democracy in Europe
Friday, December 16, 2022

This panel considers several aspects of the current state of democracy in Europe, with special attention to the rise of right-wing populism, illiberal forms of democracy, declining party loyalty, and evidence of increasing disenchantment with the current state of democracy in Europe.  The panel will seek to discuss these issues with the help of a broad comparative and historical perspective.

Professors Mohammed Bamyeh and John Markoff, Department of Sociology, Pitt, organized the panel and Professor Bamyeh moderated it.

PANELISTS:
Timm Beichelt
Professor of Social and Cultural Sciences, Viadrina University, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany

Donatella della Porta
Dean of the Faculty of Political and Social Science, Scuola Normale Superiore, Florence, Italy

Jae-Jae Spoon
Professor of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series. Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/fo...

For more resources and readings related to this session or any of our past sessions, go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/esc/events/coe

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

Insights into European Elections: Sweden, Italy and Denmark

Insights Into European Elections: Sweden, Italy, and Denmark
Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Political scientists from Denmark, Italy, Sweden, and the United States shed light on the results of recent elections in Europe.  This includes discussions on the transformations of European social democratic parties, the rise of right-wing populism, and how these impact European Union politics.

MODERATOR:
Jae-Jae Spoon
University of Pittsburgh

PANELISTS
Andrea Ceron
University of Milan

Timothy Hellwig
Indiana University, Bloomington

Maria Solevid
University of Gothenburg

Rune Stubager
Aarhus University

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

Conversations on Europe: "Business after the Fall: Challenges of East German Companies"

Business after the Fall: Challenges of East German Companies
Tuesday, October 11, 2022

When thinking of German businesses, we usually mean West German ones.  To add nuance to this perspective, this conversation focuses on the East German economy and on a successful East Germany company that had to restart after 1989 when Communism fell and the German government privatized thousands of companies.  While some did not succeed, the numerous stories of those that thrived are often overlooked.

MODERATOR:
Jan Musenkamp
University of Pittsburgh

PANELISTS:
Wendy Carlin
University College of London

Florian Mezger
Carl Zeiss, AG

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

Conversations on Europe: "The UK After Boris"

The UK After Boris
Tuesday, September 20, 2022

The Prime Minister of the U.K., Boris Johnson, was forced to step down on September 6 after a mass resignation of his ministers.  This panel of British experts discusses his successor and the likely effects on the Conservative Party.

MODERATOR:
Jae-Jae Spoon
University of Pittsburgh

PANELISTS:
Tim Bale
Queen Mary University of London

Robert Ford
University of Manchester

Jane Green
University of Oxford

Robert Johns
University of Essex

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

The French Election - What is at Stake?

The French Election - What is at Stake?
Wednesday, April 20, 2022

On April 10th, France will hold a presidential election putting ideologies, personalities, and the future of France on the ballot. A run-off will be held on April 24th if no one secures a majority. The last Conversations on Europe for the 2021-22academic year will focus on the ramifications of this election's outcome, how Russia's invasion of Ukraine will impact the election, and how this can shape the next decade not only of France but of Europe as a whole.

PANELISTS:
Jean Beaman
University of California, Santa Barbara

Arthur Goldhammer
Center for European Studies, Harvard University

Philippe Marliere
University College London

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

Reckoning with the Past III Reparations

Reckoning with the Past III Reparations
Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Colonialism in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries left legacies of violence, displacement, and economic underdevelopment with which European states and countries formerly under European control continue to reckon. How are damages calculated? Will restitution and recompense lead to reconciliation and social justice? Join us for a discussion of the transnational politics and history of reparations.

PANELISTS:
Joshua Kwesi Aikins
Human Rights Activist/Public Scholar

Wes Alcenat
Fordham University

Verene A. Shepherd
Centre for Reparation Research, The University of the West Indies

Claire Greenstein
University of Alabama at Birmingham

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

Decolonizing European Museums

Decolonizing European Museums
Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Continuing our series on “Reckonin gwith the Past” in Europe, this month’s installment looks at what it means to decolonize museums, how the issues at stake differ across Western and Eastern Europe, and what barriers exist. How do we measure success? Join our panel of experts, including activists, academics, and curators, in this wide-ranging conversation.

PANELISTS:
Dan Hicks
University of Oxford

Erica Lehrer
Concordia University

Sumaya Kassim
Writer/Independent Researcher

Aline Nyirahumure
KUUMBA

MODERATOR:
Maureen Porter
University of Pittsburgh

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

Decolonizing the Curriculum in Europe

Decolonizing the Curriculum in Europe
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Reckoning with the past in Europe often means reckoning with a legacy of colonialism. In the U.S. and Europe, student demands to remove statues celebrating Civil War generals or colonialists from the campus have been followed by a broader call to systematically decolonize the entire curriculum. But what does this mean? How have European universities responded? And what can European and American institutions learn from each other as we all continue to work to implement Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our classrooms and co-curricular programs?

PANELISTS:
Rowena Arshad
University of Edinburgh

Mohammed Bamyeh
University of Pittsburgh

Louie Dean Valencia
Texas State University

Paweł Lewicki
Europa-Universität Viadrina

MODERATOR:
Allyson Delnore
University of Pittsburgh

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

COP26 and the European Green Deal, Europe's Response to Climate Change

COP26 and the European Green Deal, Europe's Response to Climate Change
Tuesday, December 7, 2021

The United Nation's much hyped Climate Conference convened representatives from around the globe. In this session, our panel of experts discussed what happened in Glasgow, European leaders' reactions to the conference outcomes, and what role Europe is taking in international efforts to respond to climate change and climate-driven migration.

PANELISTS:
Patrick Bayer
University of Strathclyde

Shanti Gamper-Rabindran
University of Pittsburgh

Katharine Rietig
Newcastle University

Rosemary McCarney
University of Toronto

MODERATOR:
Jae-Jae Spoon
University of Pittsburgh

REFERENCES:

  • Bayer, Patrick and Federica Genovese. 2020. “Beliefs about Climate Action Consequences under Weak Global Institutions: Sectors, Home Bias, and International Embeddedness.” Global Environmental Politics. 20(4):28-50.
  • Bayer, Patrick and Michaël Aklin. 2020. “The European Union Emissions Trading System Reduced CO2 Emissions Despite Low Prices.” Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences 117(16): 8804-8812.
  • Gamper-Rabindran, Shanti. 2018. “The Shale Dilemma: A Global Perspective on Fracking and Shale Development”, editor and contributor, University of Pittsburgh Press.
  • McCarney, Rosemary and Jonathan Kent. 2020. “Forced Displacement and Climate Change: Time for Global Governance.” International Journal. 75(4): 652-661.
  • Rietig K. 2021. “Learning in Governance: Climate Policy Integration in the European Union.” MIT Press.
  • Rietig K. 2021. “Accelerating Low Carbon Transitions via Budgetary Processes? EU Climate Governance in Times of Crisis.” Journal of European Public Policy. 28(7), 1018-1037.
  • Rietig K. 2020. “Multilevel Reinforcing Dynamics: Global Climate Governance and European Renewable Energy Policy.” Public Administration. 99(1), 55-71.

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.

An Uneven Recovery? Health Outcomes and Economic Impacts Across Europe

An Uneven Recovery? Health Outcomes and Economic Impacts Across Europe
Tuesday, November 16, 2021

The effects of COVID-19 have been felt unevenly across Europe, a trend which continues into the recovery from the pandemic. In this panel, experts discussed how these inequalities have been felt on an individual level and at the national level in terms of health and educational outcomes and economic impacts.

PANELISTS:
Holly Jarman
University of Michigan

Julia Lynch
University of Pennsylvania

Martin Myant
European Trade Union Institute

Sylke Schnepf
JRC-European Commission

MODERATOR:
Jae-Jae Spoon
University of Pittsburgh

REFERENCES:

  • Bambra C, Lynch J, Smith K. “The Unequal Pandemic: Covid-19 and Health Inequalities.” 2021. Bristol University/Policy Press, 2021. 
  • D’Hombres, B. and Schnepf, S.V. 2021. “International Mobility of Students in Italy and the UK: Does It Pay off and for Whom?” Higher Education. 82, pp. 1173–1194
  • Jarman, Holly. 2017. “Trade Policy Governance: What Health Policymakers and Advocates Need to Know.” Health Policy. 121(11): 1105-1112.
  • Lynch J. 2020. “Regimes of Inequality: The Political Economy of Health and Wealth.” Cambridge University Press.
  • Myant, Martin. 2020. “European Multinational Companies and Trade Unions in Eastern and East-Central Europe.” European Trade Union Institute. pp. 40.
  • Schnepf, S.V. and Colagrossi, M. 2020. “Is unequal uptake of Erasmus mobility really only due to students' choices? The role of selection into universities and fields of study.” Journal of European Social Policy. 30(4):436-451.

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

We would appreciate your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series.  Please see our survey at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0x5l0NHN4btbAQR

This video has been funded with the assistance of both the European Commission (through the Erasmus + Programme) and the US Department of Education. The contents of this video are the sole responsibility of the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the U.S. government or the European Union.

Co-support provided by the International Foreign Language Education office of the U.S. Department of Education and the European Commission's Erasmus + Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the individual panelists and do not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. Government or the European Union.