European Futures: What Next Two Decades after the Eastern Enlargement?

We are delighted to invite submissions to our annual conference critically examining European futures in the context of the European Union's (EU) landmark 2004 enlargement. This conference provides a platform for researchers to present work on European studies and enjoy insightful discussions on the dynamics, challenges, and far-reaching implications of the EU's decision to expand its membership then and now, during a period of significant geopolitical shifts.

The year 2004 marked a significant juncture in the European Union’s (EU) history, with the largest-ever enlargement to include post-communist countries from Central and Southern Europe. It not only highlighted the EU's stated commitment to promoting regional stability and integration but also raised questions about its broader implications for many applicant countries, the EU itself, and countries wishing to join the EU. The 2004 enlargement was a turning point that shaped the EU's borders, complex nature, future, and role on the global stage. Twenty years on, what do European futures look like?

We welcome proposals from all European Studies disciplines and related fields to foster cross-disciplinary conversation, including (but not limited to) Political Science, Law, Sociology, Economics, History, Gender Studies, Anthropology, International Relations and Public Policy. We hope that this conference will address the topic in various ways and from various perspectives.

To read the full Call for Papers and planned themes for the conference, please click here.

The UACES Graduate Forum Conference 2024 will take place at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam on 27-28 June 2024.

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