European Union

On 1 January 2025, discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 moved into a more structured preparatory phase within the EU institutions. These talks come at a challenging moment for Europe, marked by geopolitical instability, weaker economic growth, and ongoing concerns about the EU’s competitiveness. The outcome of the negotiations will have […]

Amid rising pressure from an aging population, pension sustainability is the Spanish government’s primary long-term fiscal challenge

Brussels could recommend opening an ‘excessive deficit procedure’ against Berlin on 3 June

Following the 2025 regional drought, Kazakhstan authorities have warned about below-average reservoir levels and the possibility for summer shortages.

Reforming enlargement would tackle a "brain drain" in the Western Balkans, Ferit Hoxha, Albania's Foreign Minister, told Euractiv

The meeting will be a stark display of Trump and Xi’s shared anti-human rights vision of transactional geopolitics. Accountability will have to come from elsewhere.

Centre-right EPP remains deeply divided over calls to pause the new wastewater rules

KP police are the most targeted by terrorists. They are also the worst paid.

The extent of contamination in the ‘Chemical Valley’ near Lyon is causing concerns

Europe needs to scale its space situational awareness capabilities to protect its space assets

Oil disruptions are cascading into fertilizer markets, weakening agriculture and putting South Asia’s food security at risk. We've seen this pattern before.

No equivalence for trading partners by default, only case-by-case opt-ins, Christophe Grudler says

The UACES Annual Conference is widely recognised for its academic quality, but it also stands out for the value it offers to delegates. At a time when conference costs are rising across the sector, UACES has taken a deliberate approach to ensuring that high quality academic exchange remains accessible, inclusive and affordable. You can discover more about the Annual Conference here: https://www.uaces.org/prague

Networking built into the conference fee

One of the defining features of the UACES Annual Conference is that networking is not treated as an optional extra. Opportunities to exchange ideas, build collaborations and meet peers are built directly into the structure of the event.

Conference registration includes inclusive lunches on the main conference days, on site refreshment breaks and networking receptions. These shared spaces allow conversations to continue beyond formal panels and create a genuinely collegial atmosphere throughout the conference.

In contrast to other large conferences, at UACES, these spaces for discussion and connection are part of the core conference experience.

A balance of established and emerging voices

The conference programme is designed to support meaningful academic exchange across career stages. Panels bring together established scholars, leading figures in European Studies and early career researchers, alongside new and emerging voices.

This balance creates opportunities not only to engage with cutting edge research, but also to build professional networks and receive feedback in a supportive environment. The programme spans established fields as well as emerging areas of research, ensuring that the conference reflects the full breadth of contemporary European Studies.

A genuinely international conference community

The UACES Annual Conference attracts an international and diverse community of participants. Delegates regularly come from across Europe, the UK, North America and beyond, representing a wide range of institutions and research traditions.

This international mix enriches panel discussions, broadens perspectives and challenges the assumption that the conference is limited to the UK or a small number of EU member states. The result is a conference that feels outward looking, globally connected and intellectually broad.

Strong support for early career researchers

UACES has a long standing commitment to supporting early career and PhD researchers, which is embedded throughout the Annual Conference.

The programme structure, review processes and panel composition are designed to ensure fair and transparent assessment, alongside opportunities for early career scholars to present their work, engage with senior academics and build professional networks. This support is delivered as part of the standard Early Career/PhD conference fee, rather than being confined to separate or additional activities.

In addition, UACES offers funding and support opportunities for eligible members, helping to reduce barriers to participation and ensure that the conference remains accessible.

Value delivered through collective expertise

Together, these elements explain the overall value of the UACES Annual Conference experience. Delegates benefit from a carefully curated academic programme, built in networking opportunities, an international scholarly community and meaningful support for early career researchers, all within an accessible fee structure.

It is this combination of collective expertise, community focused design and a commitment to accessibility that defines the UACES Annual Conference experience.

The post The Value of the UACES Annual Conference: Academic Quality, Community and Value for Money appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

"This does not by any means constitute a recognition,” said the European Commission

Telco, finance and cybersecurity businesses among first named partners

Publishers hail landmark CJEU ruling, as journalistic content is increasingly scooped up for AI training

This is Victoria Becker bringing you this week’s BUDGET BRIEF on the EU’s next seven-year spending plan. This week, we’ll examine why the EU’s blockbuster pandemic-era debt might become a problem for future generations. We’ll also discuss the film industry’s call to futureproof Europe’s (almost) one-Oscar-a-year output, the Council’s partial agreement on the bloc’s flagship mobility and training […]

Beijing rewrote two slogans before it sealed the country – once to rewrite history, once to prewrite the future.

Péter Magyar indicated he would lift Hungary's 2024 veto on the EPF

New Delhi has hedged more toward China without articulating any conditions. Beijing is taking full advantage.