It is important that qualitative researchers disseminate their findings as widely as possible, and also have a place to discuss experiences of their research processes and use of these methods. We plan to propose conference panels and workshops on this area.
This page presents a list of proposed, future and past activities organised for qualitative EP researchers or events they may be interested in. We have also written or provided reports after events have taken place.
Please let us know of events you are organising and would like advertised here.
Proposed & Future Events
5th - 7th September 2011, UACES Cambridge
"Inside the EU institutions": exploring power and influence
This panel will be an opportunity for scholars investigating issues of power and influence in the EU institutions to present their research and findings. Papers should explore any of the EU institutions and/or inter-institutional relations. We welcome papers using a range of theoretical and methodological approaches, particularly those using research methods which enable a detailed and in-depth exploration of the institutions and processes. The panel will contribute to a growing body of research which uses alternative conceptions of power and influence to understand decision-making, policy and politics.
Those interested should send a title and abstract of up to 250 words to Amy Busby and Ariadna Ripoll Servent at: alb40@sussex.ac.uk and a.ripoll-servent@sussex.ac.uk by 19th January, along with the following details:
- Full name
- University/Institution
- Postal address
- Email address
The name of any co-authors
20th - 22th June 2011, Council of European Studies, Barcelona
"Europe's transnational parliament: the inner workings of policy making in the European Parliament"
This panel presents qualitative findings from research on the European Parliament (EP). The panel brings together scholars who study EP policy-making from very different angles and theoretical perspectives, utilizing a diversity of qualitative methods.The papers will be:
"Lobbying in environmental affairs: is the EP driving climate change or being an environmental champion?" - Maja Kluger Rasmussen, LSE
"Institutional patriotism in the EP: a new rationale for the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice?" - Ariadna Ripoll Servent, Sussex European Institute, University of Sussex
"'Bursting the Brussels bubble': what can ethnography tell us about politics at the European Parliament?" - Amy Busby, Sussex European Institute, University of Sussex
"All Change? Change and Stability in the Role Orientations of First-Time MEPS " - Paul Taggart (joint paper with Tim Bale), Sussex European Institute, University of Sussex
Activity Archive
6th - 8th September 2010, UACES Bruges
"What can qualitative methods offer EP research?"
A panel proposed for qualitative researchers to discuss methods they intend to use to shed light on processes occurring within the EP and present some initial research findings.
The papers were:
"Setting the Rules of Entry to the European Political Field: The Case of Access to the European Parliament, 1952-1979" - Ann-Christina L. Knudsen, University of Aarhus
"Stances of EU Press Correspondents towards the European Parliament" - Katjana Gattermann, LSE
"The Isle of Europe: what can ethnography tell us about politics at the European Parliament?" - Amy Busby, Sussex European Institute
6th - 8th September 2010, UACES Bruges
"Closing the Gap: results of qualitative research on the EP"
A chance proposed for qualitative researchers to present their results, the panel will focus on how these results enhance our understanding the EP and its processes.
The papers were:
"Lobbying in the European Parliament: Institutional constraints and opportunities" - Maja Rasmussen, LSE
"Sense and sensitivity: investigating life behind closed doors at the LIBE committee" - Ariadna Ripoll Servent, Sussex European Institute
"Hard eurosceptic MEPs: between Exit and Voice?" - Nathalie Brack - Cevipol, Université libre de Bruxelles
"All Change? Change and Stability in the Role Orientations of First-Time MEPS" - Dr Tim Bale and Prof Paul Taggart
29th - 30th April 2010, UACES Bath
"Understanding the European Parliament"
A panel proposed for qualitative researchers to present recent research findings and discuss their research process at the UACES Student Forum 11th Annual Conference in Bath.
The papers are:
"Lobbying in the European Parliament: a new institutional approach" - Maja Rasmussen, LSE
"Rules were made to be broken?: the formal organisational rules and structures of the European Parliament as the context in which MEPs operate" - Amy Busby, Sussex European Institute
"Adapt or die: On how co-decision shaped the fate of the 'Returns' directive in the European Parliament" - Ariadna Ripoll Servent, Sussex European Institute
17th July 2009, University of Sussex
"Qualitative Approaches to Investigating the European Parliament"
A UACES funded one-day workshop at the Sussex European Institute.
See a report of this event on page 6 of the UACES newsletter:
UACES Newsletter num. 61
UACES events archive
Projects
This research project aims to understand how parliaments in Europe manage their corporate image, focusing on the image portrayed on parliamentary websites. Specifically, it aims to uncover the decision-making processes through which the scope and content of parliamentary websites are determined and whether this is integrated with a wider parliamentary strategy for managing its image.
Developed by Dr Cristina Leston-Bandeira, Senior Lecturer in Legislative Studies at the University of Hull