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Event Series

European Politics Seminar


The European Politics Seminar focuses on democracy's challenges and reconfigurations. It examines right-wing or “illiberal” threats to democracy across Europe and addresses how the political landscape is being reshaped. Questions to be answered in upcoming events include: What are the successes and failures of democratic solutions? Are established parties no longer capable of commanding support? Will protest movements, such as the gilets jaunes, lead to a new political formation? How is the resurgence of Antisemitism across Europe to be understood? What is the future of the Left in countries such as Italy and Greece? How can the European Union survive as the bastion of democracy and cooperation? What will be the consequences of Britain’s attempt to leave the EU?


Seminar Events Calendar

Orwell's Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century European Politics Seminar — Orwell's Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century
November 14, 2024
4:00pm - 5:30pm
  • Laura Beers – Professor of History, American University
  • Arianne Chernock – Professor of History, Boston University
  • Chair James Cronin – Research Professor in History, Boston College; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Four European Elections and their Aftermath European Politics Seminar — Four European Elections and their Aftermath
October 25, 2024
4:00pm - 5:30pm
  • David Art – Professor of Political Science, Tufts University; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Sheri Berman – Professor of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University; Visiting Scholar 2024-2025, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Peter A. Hall – Krupp Foundation Professor of European Studies, Harvard University; Resident Faculty & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Senior Advisor, Executive Committee, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
  • Chair Laura Levine Frader – Professor Emeritus, Northeastern University; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Energy and Power: Germany in the Age of Oil, Atoms, and Climate Change European Politics Seminar — Energy and Power: Germany in the Age of Oil, Atoms, and Climate Change
April 2, 2024
4:30pm - 6:00pm
  • Stephen Gross – Associate Professor of History & European Studies, New York University; Director, Center for European and Mediterranean Studies, New York University
  • Jamie Martin – Assistant Professor of History and of Social Studies, Department of History, Harvard University
  • Moderated by Herrick Chapman – Professor Emeritus of History, New York University; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Britain After Brexit European Politics Seminar — Britain After Brexit
March 28, 2024
4:00pm - 5:15pm
  • Anand Menon – Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King's College London; Director, UK in a Changing Europe
  • Chair James Cronin – Research Professor in History, Boston College; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The Madman in the White House European Politics Seminar — The Madman in the White House
November 13, 2023
4:30pm - 6:00pm
  • Patrick Weil – Florence Rogatz Visiting Professor of Law, Yale Law School; Senior Research Fellow, French National Research Center, University of Paris
  • Elizabeth Lunbeck – Chair, Department of the History of Science; Professor of the History of Science in Residence, Harvard University
  • Chair Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The Crisis in the National Health Service in Historical Perspective European Politics Seminar — The Crisis in the National Health Service in Historical Perspective
September 21, 2023
4:00pm - 5:30pm
  • Andrew Seaton – Junior Research Fellow in History, St. Anne's College, University of Oxford
  • Rosemary C.R. Taylor – Associate Professor of Sociology and Community Health, Tufts University; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Chair James Cronin – Research Professor in History, Boston College; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The Concept of "The Center" in French Politics European Politics Seminar — The Concept of "The Center" in French Politics
December 6, 2022
4:00pm - 5:15pm
  • Hugo Drochon – Assistant Professor in Political Theory, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham
  • Herrick Chapman – Professor Emeritus of History, New York University; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Gili Kliger – Postdoctoral College Fellow, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Chair Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Coping with Defeat: Sunni Islam, Roman Catholicism, and the Modern State European Politics Seminar — Coping with Defeat: Sunni Islam, Roman Catholicism, and the Modern State
November 29, 2022
4:30pm - 5:45pm
  • Jonathan Laurence – Professor of Political Science, Boston College; Director, Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy, Boston College; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Jocelyne Cesari – Professor of Religion and Politics, University of Birmingham; T. J. Dermot Dunphy Visiting Professor of Religion, Violence, and Peacebuilding; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Samuel Moyn – Chancellor Kent Professor of Law and History, Yale Law School
  • Chair James Cronin – Research Professor in History, Boston College; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
What does the Far-Right's Victory Mean for Italy and the EU? European Politics Seminar & HKS European Club — What does the Far-Right's Victory Mean for Italy and the EU?
November 2, 2022
12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Nathalie Tocci – Director, Istituto Affari Internazionali
  • Lorenza Antonucci – Associate Professor, University of Birmingham; German Kennedy Memorial Fellow & Visiting Scholar 2022-2023, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Legalizing Abortion - Lessons from Ireland European Politics Seminar — Legalizing Abortion - Lessons from Ireland
October 28, 2022
10:00am - 11:15am
  • Joe McHugh – Chair, the Committee on European Union Affairs; Teachta Dála, Member of Parliament, Republic of Ireland; Former Chief Whip (2017-2018) and Minister for Education and Skills, Republic of Ireland
  • Chair Ofrit Liviatan – Lecturer on Law and Politics, Department of Government, Harvard University; Director, Freshman Seminar Program, Harvard University
Serbian Democracy, Interrupted European Politics Seminar — Serbian Democracy, Interrupted
September 26, 2022
1:30pm - 2:45pm
  • Vuk Jeremić – President, Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD); President, 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, (2012-2013); Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, (2007-2012)
  • Chair Elaine Papoulias – Executive Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The 2022 French Presidential Election European Politics Seminar — The 2022 French Presidential Election
May 20, 2022
1:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Cécile Alduy – Professor of French Literature and Culture, Stanford University
  • Janine Mossuz-Lavau – Emeritus CNRS Research Director, Sciences Po Center for Political Research (CEVIPOF)
  • Vincent Tiberj – University Professor, Sciences Po Bordeaux
  • Chair Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Israel's Moment: International Conflict Over the Jewish State European Politics Seminar & Jews in Modern Europe Seminar — Israel's Moment: International Conflict Over the Jewish State
March 9, 2022
4:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Jeffrey Herf – Distinguished University Professor of History, University of Maryland
  • Derek J. Penslar – William Lee Frost Professor of Jewish History, Harvard University; Resident Faculty & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Director, The Center for Jewish Studies, Harvard University
  • Chair Laura Levine Frader – Professor Emeritus, Northeastern University; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Fridays for Future: A Conversation with German Climate Activists Luisa Neubauer and Helena Marschall European Politics Seminar & Center for German and European Studies, Brandeis University — Fridays for Future: A Conversation with German Climate Activists Luisa Neubauer and Helena Marschall
February 28, 2022
1:00pm - 2:15pm
  • Luisa Neubauer – Youth Climate Justice Activist and Lead Organizer, Fridays for Future Germany; Visiting Research Scholar, Center for German and European Studies, Brandeis University; John F. Kennedy Memorial Policy Fellow (Fall 2024), Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Helena Marschall – Climate Activist, Fridays for Future Germany
  • Noah Secondo – Ph.D. Student in History, Harvard University
  • Rebecca Spinner – Sophomore, Brandeis University
  • Welcome Remarks by Elaine Papoulias – Executive Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Chair Sabine von Mering – Director, Center for German and European Studies, Brandeis University; Professor of German and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Brandeis University; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The Passport As Home European Politics Seminar — The Passport As Home
February 24, 2022
1:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Andrei Markovits – Arthur F. Thurnau Professor & Karl W. Deutsch Collegiate Professor of Comparative Politics and German Studies, University of Michigan
  • Peter A. Hall – Krupp Foundation Professor of European Studies & Resident Faculty, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Anne Sa'adah – Professor of Government Emerita & Joel Parker Professor of Law and Political Science Emerita, Dartmouth College
  • Chair and Discussant Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
After Merkel, Now What? Analyzing Germany's 2021 Elections European Politics Seminar — After Merkel, Now What? Analyzing Germany's 2021 Elections
October 13, 2021
1:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Andreas Busch – University Professor of Comparative Politics and Political Economy, University of Göttingen
  • Hans-Helmut Kotz – Visiting Professor of Economics, Resident Faculty, & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Member of the Executive Board, German Bundesbank (2002-2012)
  • Constanze Stelzenmüller – Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe, and Fritz Stern Chair on Germany and trans-Atlantic Relations, The Brookings Institution
  • Chair Laura Levine Frader – Professor Emeritus, Northeastern University; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The German Floods of July 2021: The New Normal or a Wake Up Call for (More) Climate Protection? European Politics Seminar & Center for German and European Studies — The German Floods of July 2021: The New Normal or a Wake Up Call for (More) Climate Protection?
October 6, 2021
12:00pm - 1:30pm
  • Anja Bierwirth – Head of Research Unit Urban Transitions, Energy, Transport and Climate Policy, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
  • Introduction by Elaine Papoulias – Executive Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Chair Sabine von Mering – Director, Center for German and European Studies, Brandeis University; Professor of German and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Brandeis University; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Emmanuel Macron's Presidency and the 2022 French Presidential Election European Politics Seminar — Emmanuel Macron's Presidency and the 2022 French Presidential Election
May 11, 2021
12:00pm - 1:15pm
  • Cécile Alduy – Professor of French Literature and Culture, Stanford University
  • Gérard Araud – Former Ambassador of France to the United States (2014-2019)
  • Philippe Martin – Professor of Economics, Sciences Po; Chairman, French Council of Economic Analysis (CAE); CEPR Research Fellow and Co-Director, Macroeconomics Program, CEPREMAP
  • Chair Marc-Olivier Bherer – Neiman Visiting Fellow (2020-2021), Nieman Foundation for Journalism, Harvard University; Staff Editor and Reporter, Le Monde and Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
A Conversation with Commissioner Stella Kyriakides European Politics Seminar — A Conversation with Commissioner Stella Kyriakides
March 25, 2021
12:00pm - 12:45pm
  • Stella Kyriakides – European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
  • Chair Elaine Papoulias – Executive Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
WEBINAR | The Green New Deal: A Transatlantic Climate Change Consensus? European Politics Seminar — WEBINAR | The Green New Deal: A Transatlantic Climate Change Consensus?
June 22, 2020
11:00am - 12:00pm
  • Alyssa Battistoni – Environmental Fellow (2019-2021), Harvard University Center for the Environment
  • Sharon Block – Executive Director, Labor and Worklife Program, Harvard Law School
  • Pierre Larrouturou – Member of European Parliament
  • Chair Muriel Rouyer – Visiting Scholar 2009-2010, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
CANCELLED - Sovereigntists of Europe Unite - De-democratization in EU Member States and the Emerging Alliance of EU Sovereigntists European Union and European Politics Seminars — CANCELLED - Sovereigntists of Europe Unite - De-democratization in EU Member States and the Emerging Alliance of EU Sovereigntists
April 20, 2020
4:30pm - 6:00pm
  • Laszlo Bruszt – Professor of Political Science, Central European University
  • Chair Vivien A. Schmidt – Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration and Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Boston University; Local Affiliate & Seminar Co-chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
CANCELLED - Raymond Aron and Liberal Thought in theTwenthies Century European Politics Seminar — CANCELLED - Raymond Aron and Liberal Thought in theTwenthies Century
March 30, 2020
4:30pm - 6:00pm
  • Iain Stewart – Lecturer in Modern European History, University College London (UCL)
  • Chair Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Technopopulism: The New Logic of Democratic Politics European Politics Seminar & Seminar on Populism — Technopopulism: The New Logic of Democratic Politics
February 13, 2020
2:30pm - 4:00pm
  • Christopher Bickerton – University Lecturer in Politics, University of Cambridge
  • Chair Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Confessions of the Flesh: Michel Foucault’s Final Volume of "The History of Sexuality" Harvard Colloquium for Intellectual History & European Politics Seminar — Confessions of the Flesh: Michel Foucault’s Final Volume of "The History of Sexuality"
December 5, 2019
9:00am - 6:00pm
  • James Bernauer, S.J. – Kraft Family Professor of Philosophy, Boston College
  • Julian Bourg – Associate Professor of History, Boston College; CES Local Affiliate & Seminar Co-chair, Harvard University
  • Rey Chow – Anne Firor Scott Professor of Literature, Duke University
  • Agustin Colombo – Postdoctoral Researcher, Boston College & University of Paris, VIII
  • Bernard Harcourt – Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher Professor of Law, Columbia Law School; École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS)
  • Lynne Huffer – Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Emory University
  • Mark D. Jordan – Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Christian Thought & Richard Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School; Professor of Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, Harvard University
  • Austin Sarfan – Graduate Student, Program in Literature, Duke University
  • Annabel Kim – Assistant Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
  • Edward McGushin – Professor of Philosophy, Stonehill College
  • Durba Mitra – Assistant Professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality and Carol K. Pforzheimer Assistant Professor, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University
The Current State of Eastern Europe European Politics Seminar — The Current State of Eastern Europe
November 19, 2019
12:00pm - 1:30pm
  • Grzegorz Ekiert – Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Government & CES Director, Harvard University
  • Ioana Petrescu – Minister of Economy and Finance, Romania (2014); Senior Fellow, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government; Visiting Research Fellow, Ash Center, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Jacques Rupnik – Senior Research Fellow, Sciences Po
  • Albana Shehaj – Program Manager, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Visiting Scholar 2019-2021, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Chair Arthur Goldhammer – Writer & Translator; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
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