Research project
Project 'Decision-Making in the European Union Before and After Lisbon' (DEUBAL)
As a research project between four Jean Monnet Chairs - two located in Europe, one in Canada and one in the U.S. -- the project DEUBAL has been approved in 2010 for co-financing by the European Commission. DEUBAL aims to study changes in European decision-making due to the Lisbon Treaty, by a combination of theoretical analysis, literature research and empirical studies (both qualitative and quantitative ones). Academics involved into the project as partners in this project are Professor Amy Verdun at the University of Victoria, Canada, Professor Amie Kreppel at the University of Florida, U.S. and Professor Bela Plechanovova at Charles University Prague.
- Contact
- Madeleine Hosli
This project analyzes, theorizes and conceptualizes decision-making in the European Union (EU), addressing changes due to the Lisbon Treaty. It provides theoretical and empirical insights into the dynamics of EU decision-making following four steps.
It starts with a stock-taking exercise of what we know about decision-making in the EU before Lisbon, in the run-up to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
The second step is an analysis of EU decision-making in terms of what may stay the same or may change since the Lisbon Treaty has entered into force on 1 Dec 2009. This includes more fundamental conceptualizing and subsequently theorizing about the expected changes.
The third step is collection and analysis of empirical facts about decision-making after Lisbon. We will examine the decisions by adopting both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
The fourth and final step is an analysis of what the implications are of Lisbon on our understanding of decision-making in the EU in terms of the role of the various institutions and the relations between the EU institutions and its Member States.
Priorities
The project aims to contribute to life-long learning by building a network of both senior and more junior scholars focusing on research related to EU decision-making and EU institutional structures. It explicitly draws PhD students into the research network and creates a dynamic research community involving partners in the EU, Canada and the U.S.
The DEUBAL project is aimed at developing a stable pattern of collaboration between the research partners over time, and is expected to result in new collaborative research applications for research funding in the future (e.g. in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Canada and the USA).
DEUBAL creates networks and research collaboration among the universities of the applicants, but apart from this, with professional circles and practitioners who are close to the EU decision-making process. In addition to this, it creates a webpage that disseminates relevant information to researchers and practitioners.
The project provides primary research, and integrates various experts and young scholars into the research endeavors. By the organization of a workshop, in which papers were discussed by peers who are experts on EU integration and EU institutions, it enhanced its reach and also addressed a wider community of academics and professionals in the field.
In addition, knowledge and research findings were disseminated in the framework of a final conference (held in Brussels in June 2012) and based on this, a final edited special issue.
For more information, please see 'DEUBAL approved by the European Commission'and the DEUBAL webpage at the University of Florida.