Jean Monnet Chair prof. dr. Bernard Steunenberg

Professor Bernard Steunenberg is the 'Ad personam Jean Monnet Chair on European Politics'. This is part of the project 'Challenges of European Politics', co-financed by the European Commission. The aim of this project is to enhance knowledge and understanding about European Integration and the working of the European institutions. See also facebook and LinkedIn for more information on Bernard Steunenberg.

Aims of the project 'Challenges of European Politics'

The project aims to enhance knowledge and understanding about the process of European integration and the functioning of the European Union. Especially in the Netherlands, where support for integration seems to be in decline in recent years as evidenced by the rejection of the Constitution for Europe, reflection on the role of the EU is of key importance.

Activities

The activities developed in this project target various groups, including undergraduate and graduate students, the general public, experts and academics. Outputs include teaching of the introductory and advanced courses on the European Union, workshops, research publications, and the development of a multidisciplinary network of scholars.

In addition, the Chair organises public debates with Dutch politicians and the broader public on questions such as the Netherlands membership in the EU, the country’s place in the EU today and the benefits of European integration for smaller member states. In the last year, we have organised two debates, one on the (possible) accession of Turkey to the EU and one regarding the current eurocrisis.

Professor Steunenberg also conducts various research on EU decision-making and coordination and implementation of EU-policy, such as the strategic interaction between political actors, the balance of power between the main European 'institutions and national coordination mechanisms and how domestic actors influence European policy. In his function as a professor, he also teaches courses on ‘European Union Politics and Policy’ (BA), ‘EU Decision Making’ (MA),  ‘Implementing European Policy’ (MA) and an honours class on ‘The post-Lisbon challenges’ (2011-12), together with capstone projects for MA students (in September 2011 started a capstone titled ‘Municipalities and the EU’).

More information

For more information please visit the commission website.