

Local housing associations step up to the ‘Levelling Up’ challenge
Research based on England and France encourages policymakers to build upon local solutions to uplift deprived towns. Continue reading Local housing associations step up to the ‘Levelling Up’ challenge

Affairs in Berlin: Harold in Germany, Vita in Love
Kathryn Batchelor, Professor of Translation Studies and Director of UCL Centre for Translation Studies, reflects on the significance of a new exhibition at Sissinghurst Castle Garden bringing British-German friendship firmly into view through an exploration of the Sissinghurst Castle Garden library. Continue reading Affairs in Berlin: Harold in Germany, Vita in Love

Scotland’s Independence Debate and the New UK Prime Minister
Dr Kirsty Hughes explores views on and prospects for Scottish independence, and the possible implications of Liz Truss as UK Prime Minister. Continue reading Scotland’s Independence Debate and the New UK Prime Minister

Trussism and the Future of UK-EU Relations
Professor Albert Weale considers the nature and implications of Trussism for the future of UK-EU relations, and the clash of ideas between libertarian Conservatism and the European project. Continue reading Trussism and the Future of UK-EU Relations

Between empire and democracy: the complex legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev
Una Bergmane explores the complex and competing legacies of Mikhail Gorbachev, particularly in the Baltic states, and the incompatibility he encountered between the democratisation of Soviet society and the preservation of the Soviet empire. Continue reading Between empire and democracy: the complex legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev

Gorbachev was no saint. But he was a kind of hero
Professor Mark Galeotti reflects on Mikhail Gorbachev’s capacity to fail productively, following news of the death of the former General Secretary of the Soviet Union on 30 August 2022. Continue reading Gorbachev was no saint. But he was a kind of hero

Which multipolar partner: Russia or Europe? China’s Ukraine dilemma
Richard McMahon explores Chinese narratives of political relations between Russia, Europe and the US and how they frame Russia’s war on Ukraine. This article draws on Dr McMahon’s research on Chinese scholarly representations of the EU. Continue reading Which multipolar partner: Russia or Europe? China’s Ukraine dilemma

The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A UCL student perspective
UCL SSEES student Freya Proudman underlines the power of young people in upholding and revitalising European values with new life and enthusiasm and calls for youth activism and civic participation to be meaningfully supported. Continue reading The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A UCL student perspective

The Values of Europe (Mini-series): Promoting and Defending European Values
Dr Mart Kuldkepp highlights the values that European institutions have promoted on a national and international stage, and argues that in response to Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine, Europe must now be ready to defend these values by force of arms, if necessary. Continue reading The Values of Europe (Mini-series): Promoting and Defending European Values

The Values of Europe (Mini-series): Balancing universalist and particularist influences; Navigating uniformity and flexibility
Professor Ronan McCrea argues that an understanding of the EU as a polity based exclusively on shared liberal democratic values obscures the tension between universalist and specific influences within the Union, and explores the limits of the shared values the EU can insist upon, while sustaining the integration project. Continue reading The Values of Europe (Mini-series): Balancing universalist and particularist influences; Navigating uniformity and flexibility

The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A view from the Netherlands
His Excellency Karel van Oosterom Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom, highlights three values that the Dutch hold dear and seek to promote on a European and a global stage. Continue reading The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A view from the Netherlands

The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A view from the Czech Republic
Her Excellency Marie Chatardová, Czech Ambassador to the United Kingdom, underlines the fundamental importance of the right to self-determination for countries big and small, in Europe and across the world. Continue reading The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A view from the Czech Republic

The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A view from Italy
His Excellency Raffaele Trombetta, Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, argues Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an incentive for the European Union to move forward, and identifies next steps for the European project. Continue reading The Values of Europe (Mini-series): A view from Italy

What will the ongoing changes in Baltic Sea regional security mean for the future?
Dr Mart Kuldkepp explores the implications of a new consensus in Baltic Sea regional security. Continue reading What will the ongoing changes in Baltic Sea regional security mean for the future?

This time around, the threat of a Le Pen presidency is real
The far Right does not command a majority in France. But Macron’s arrogance and elitism, plus divisions on the Left, could hand it a victory, writes Professor Philippe Marlière. Continue reading This time around, the threat of a Le Pen presidency is real

Ukraine analyses, Vol. 2
Explore a second collection of analyses from UCL experts across the disciplines, on the unfolding war in Ukraine. Continue reading Ukraine analyses, Vol. 2

The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis: Six Elements of an Effective Response
Professor Christian Dustmann and Professor Ian Preston identify six steps public policy-makers in the EU and the UK can take in response to the latest immigration wave facing Europe, based on lessons learnt from previous refugee crises. Continue reading The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis: Six Elements of an Effective Response

On Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: A Call to Action for the UK Higher Education Sector
Dr Uilleam Blacker calls for more decisive, concerted action from UK universities in support of the academic community of Ukraine. Continue reading On Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: A Call to Action for the UK Higher Education Sector

UCL analyses of Russia’s war on Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 has brought war to Europe, catalysed a humanitarian and refugee crisis, and transformed the continent irrevocably.
In response, the European Institute has collated comment pieces from academics across UCL, with expertise spanning Russian, Ukrainian and East European Studies, Political Science and International Relations, History, Political Thought and Literature. Continue reading UCL analyses of Russia’s war on Ukraine

Moldova and Russia’s War in Ukraine, and Why the EU Should Care
Recent UCL graduate Valeria Topalo explores what the war feels like from the perspective of neighbouring Moldova. Continue reading Moldova and Russia’s War in Ukraine, and Why the EU Should Care