Wondering how Europe ticks? The Centre for European Integration Research is a hub dedicated to understanding the EU’s intricate workings. It’s called Europäische Integrationsforschung in German.
Europäische Integrationsforschung started as part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. It was known as the “Institut für Europäische Integrationsforschung”. In 2012, it moved to the University of Vienna. Initially, it was a Research Platform. It connected four different University departments. Then in 2019, it became a Research Centre. It is now within the Department of Political Science.
Here at Europäische Integrationsforschung, researchers dive deep into EU policies. They compare these policies across different areas. This includes many important things. Digitalisation-related policies are studied. Foreign, security, and defense policy are researched here. Border control, energy, and climate change policies are scrutinized. They also study economic and monetary integration. The judicial politics of the EU are examined.
The Europäische Integrationsforschung is active in publishing its research. The Vienna “Institute for European Integration Research” publishes an online working paper series. Internal and international researchers contribute to it. The Director of Europäische Integrationsforschung selects and vets most papers. Team members review papers. External reviewers are used if needed. Authors revise their papers based on reviews. The Director makes the final decision.
If you’re interested in European Studies, the University of Vienna offers a postgraduate master’s program. It equips students with interdisciplinary knowledge. Students learn about the economic, legal, political and socio-cultural development. The program analyzes information and knowledge management within the EU. It targets people who want to work with multinational corporations. Banks, the insurance industry, and social and culture management institutions are also focus areas. National administrations and European and international organizations are looked at, too. It helps expand participants’ potential for innovation. It enhances their subject-specific competence.
Applications are open for the master program “European Studies” in the winter term 2026. New courses have been introduced into the syllabus. One redesigned course focuses on “EU Legislation”. It features a simulation of the EU legislative process. This provides a practical insight.
Europäische Integrationsforschung continues to play a vital role. It advances knowledge and understanding. This is achieved through research, publications, and educational programs. It shapes the future of European integration studies.