The Europaeum Spring School took place at the University of Oxford from 13–15 April in St Peter’s College with thirty-six students drawn from a dozen disciplines and from across every university in the network. The theme was “Transatlantic Futures” and the event interrogated the unprecedented tests facing relations between Europe and the societies on the other side of the Atlantic.
On the first day, students heard from Prof. Dr Hartmut Mayer (SAIS Bologna), in conversation with the Ideas Programme Director, Dr Miles Pattenden about the questions we need to be asking about Transatlantic cooperation in the age of Donald Trump. Prof. Sir Vernon Bogdanor (Oxford) then gave a British perspective on events. In the afternoon, the students heard from Dr Leonor Durão Barroso, who explained that we need to see current geopolitics in the context of longstanding demographic trends and diasporic ties between the Old World and the New. The first students also gave their presentations.
Day Two was largely devoted to student presentations, which ranged from the geopolitical to the economic and the cultural. The students also heard from Prof. Jussi Hanhimäki (Geneva Graduate Institute) who put the current tensions involving President Donald Trump and European leaders into longer-term historical context. This theme was picked up on in several Day Three presentations, including a panel involving specifically French and German perspectives on the Transatlantic alliance from Dr Manuel Dorion-Soulié (École Polytechnique de Paris) and Dr Rachel Tausendfreund (German Council on Foreign Relations) and a presentation on Latin American perspectives (Prof. Annette Idler, Oxford). On Day Three the students also heard from Dott. Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of Media Policy at the European Commission (DG Connect).
Student Nicholas Stavropoulos (SAIS Europe) writes:
“The Spring School on Transatlantic Futures was an excellent experience. The Europaeum brought together scholars from diverse disciplines and national backgrounds, encouraging rich discussions. We heard from an impressive range of academics and policy practitioners who challenged us to grapple with the real difficulties facing the transatlantic relationship today, while also pushing us to question our assumptions and think beyond present headlines. It was a valuable opportunity to engage in substantive debates about how the transatlantic relationship can adapt to current challenges — and to connect with people working on similar questions.”
Student Teresa Fernandes (UCP) writes:
“The Europaeum Spring School was a masterclass in intellectual synergy, set against a city backdrop that is impossible not to fall in love with. It featured the perfect balance between motivation and inspiration by world-class lecturers and Professors who believe in our potential, resulting in an incredibly stimulating environment, to explore the complexities of Transatlantic Relations. I leave Oxford with a broadened horizon and a deep-seated hope to return to this remarkable community in the future.”
The Europaeum expresses its gratitude to all who contributed to the event and participated in it to make it a great success. These include the many individuals who gave up their time to chair panels as well as speak on them. It also thanks St Peter’s College for hosting our students.
