In a context of manifold crises in the EU and a lack of trust between states and EU institutions, as well as among EU member states and subnational actors, the EU has witnessed a strong impetus to intergovernmental governance approaches and modes of crisis-management. Against this backdrop, bilateral and minilateral relations among EU member states, as well as their interaction with the EU level deserve more academic attention than they currently receive. In order to contribute to the conceptual, theoretical and methodological discourse on EU bilateralism, the Centre for International Security Policy at the Hertie School of Governance and the Centre for Regional and Borderland Studies at the University of Wrocław cordially invite interested scholars to send paper proposals that touch upon bilateral relationships among EU countries and regional and local units – new theoretical approaches and empirical challenges. Accepted papers will be presented at a workshop at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin on 11-12 April 2019.

The two-day workshop gathers a small group of up to 20 European scholars who will present and discuss innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to analysing bilateral relations in the EU context. Successful abstracts should outline an innovative research approach on EU bilateralism and its application to a clear-cut case study.

Relevant research questions could be the following:

·         What are drivers and inhibiting factors to bilateral cooperation? How do they vary across policy areas, geographic areas, over time and governance levels?

·         Why are some EU bilateralisms more resilient than others?

·         To what extent are bilateral relations influenced by the EU level? Which role do bilateral relations play in EU agenda-setting?

·         Which formal and informal channels of bilateral cooperation exist on the local, regional, national and EU level, and how do they interact?

Contributions on the German-Polish relationship are encouraged but case studies on other bilateralisms are also welcome. Abstracts should not exceed 500 words (approximately one page). All travel and accommodation costs related to the workshop will be covered.

Please send your proposal to Anna-Lena Kirch (kirch@hertie-school.org).
The deadline for submission is 4 January 2019.