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Expert interviews
on European
current affairs

In the series we speak with experts from different disciplines about current affairs in Europe.

By approaching current events from various disciplines, we provide insight into complex problems in Europe, across the boundaries of specific fields. We highlight European politics and policy, the socio-economic situation, ethical-medical issues, technology, education and much more. And so we make the various causes and consequences of a problem understandable.

Interviews

‘In the end, it’s not about numbers and percentages, it’s about people’

Bart van den Boom, curator

Bart van den Boom (1969) of Viewmaster Projects is the curator of No Access, an exhibition on view in the Cannerberg tunnel system in Maastricht until 13 November. Twenty-one different works

‘Cultural events in the Euregion help to broaden our horizons.’

Fiedel van der Hijden, artistic director Cultura Nova

This year’s Cultura Nova (26 August-4 September), will be the last for Fiedel van der Hijden (1958) as artistic director. Thirty-two years ago, he was one of the founders of

Put a bit of imagination into Europe

Robert Skidelsky, Emeritus Professor of Political Economy

Robert Skidelsky isn’t seventeen anymore. The emeritus professor of political economy at Warwick University is eighty two to be precise, but his age does not seem to affect his productivity.

In the bio-economy, circularity goes further than just recycling

Yvonne van der Meer, Professor of Sustainability of Chemicals and Materials

Plastics, made from plants? The bio-based economy makes it possible. It is the field of study of Yvonne van der Meer, professor of Sustainability of Chemicals and Materials. This Friday,

From upcoming elections in Hungary and France to the war in Ukraine: two experts about the extreme-right

Dr. Jean-Yves Camus and Dr. Ferenc Laczó

While Europe is under the spell of the war in Ukraine, important elections are coming up in France and Hungary. Will the incumbent leaders be re-elected? What role does the

Bye birthday pictures, hello human ads: welcome to a new era on social media

Catalina Goanta, Associate Professor in Private Law and Technology

After more than 12 years at Maastricht University, Catalina Goanta is pursuing her career as Associate Professor in private law and technology in Utrecht. With the prestigious European Research Council

The EU must now prepare for a world after Biden, says Hylke Dijkstra, and that means a bigger budget for defence and security

Hylke Dijkstra, Associate Professor of Political Science

War looms in Eastern Europe as Russia threatens to invade Ukraine over supposed fears of an eastward NATO expansion. It is just the latest addition to the ever-increasing pressure on

The EU and Trump aren’t that different when it comes to migration, argues Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel, Professor of Migration Studies

This January, two hundred randomly selected citizens will discuss the future of European migration during the Conference on the Future of Europe, with Maastricht hosting the Conference’s migration programme. Studio

Who calls the shots in Europe? That question should be front and centre at the Conference on the Future of Europe, Karin van Leeuwen believes

Karin van Leeuwen, Assistant Professor in European Political History

EU leaders hope the Conference on the Future of Europe, a wide-ranging programme of work focused on EU reform, will point the EU in the right direction for years to

“Let’s assume the EU Green Deal works out in Europe. What will the rest of the world look like?”

Christian Scholl and Serdar Türkeli

Christian Scholl and Serdar Türkeli, both passionate about climate policy, are the new directors of the Dutch arm of the pan-European 89 Initiative. What are their plans for their first

‘I censor myself all the time’ says Tom Janssen, winner of the 2021 European Cartoon Award.

Tom Janssen, political cartoonist

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t draw what he wants. What makes a good political cartoon? And do cartoonists self-censor to avoid backlash? Studio Europa Maastricht quizzes Tom Janssen, winner

‘Made in Europe’ has the potential to become a very valuable quality label for AI, says Gerhard Weiss

Gerhard Weiss, Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence

“I lost control. It happened fast.” Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Gerhard Weiss smiles explaining why his interview with Studio Europa Maastricht was postponed. In short, a mountain bike,

Barking back at Brussels: can national parliaments influence European decision-making?

Christine Neuhold, Full Professor of EU Democratic Governance

The Dutch elections are coming up! Should party campaigns focus on Europe? Or should the EU be largely irrelevant in what are, after all, national campaigns? We talk to Professor Christine Neuhold, recently appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FaSoS). She specialises in the role of national parliaments and parties in EU decision-making.

Curbing the power of digital platforms: in conversation with Catalina Goanta

Catalina Goanta, former postdoctoral researcher at Studio Europa Maastricht

After a thought-provoking lecture by Marietje Schaake, organised by the Centre for European Research in Maastricht (CERiM) on January 12th, Studio Europa Maastricht sat down with their postdoctoral researcher Catalina

How can Biden heal divisions in the US? “Rectify the wealth gap”, says Roberta Haar

Roberta Haar, Professor of Foreign Policy Analysis and Transatlantic Relations

Expert interview: Roberta Haar on polarisation and EU-US relations after Trump Take an already polarised society, add a pandemic and nationwide protests and you end up with the chaotic 2020

What is the corona crisis doing to our expectations for the future? “The utopian views have disappeared already”

Harro van Lente, Professor of Science & Technology Studies

Expert interview: Harro van Lente about our expectations of the future and technology “In a year’s time, as soon as everything is back to normal – once there is a

Ten years of Viktor Orbán: “This is not just crisis management, but the far right in power”

Ferenc Laczó, Assistant Professor in History

Expert interview: Ferenc Laczó on the rise of ‘soft authoritarianism’ in Orbán’s Hungary Closing down media outlets, universities and borders: it has been 10 years since Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor

We can barely tolerate the uncertainty about coronavirus – but we’ll have to

Esther Versluis, Professor of European Regulatory Governance

Expert interview: Esther Versluis about our (in)tolerance for uncertainty From the shape of bananas to key climate decisions, the European Union makes policy choices every day. But some kinds of

How open should the university be?

Rianne Letschert, president of Maastricht University

Expert interview: Rianne Letschert on higher education during coronavirus “Sorry to keep you waiting, I was in a meeting.” A few minutes later than planned, Rianne Letschert, Rector of Maastricht

Will the Euro survive the corona crisis? “We don’t have sufficient mechanisms to absorb shocks together”

Clemens Kool, Professor of International Monetary and Macroeconomics

Expert interview: Clemens Kool about the Eurozone’s capacity to weather the coronavirus storm How to get out of this crisis? Member State leaders are meeting tomorrow to answer that question.

How to make ethically responsible corona policy? “We simply don’t know enough about the virus”

Peter Schröder-Bäck, Associate Professor International Health

Expert Interview: Peter Schröder-Bäck about the challenges of ethical corona policy in Europe How to decide between implementing a lock down and no restrictions at all? Or between treating an

“More than ever the credibility of European cooperation is at stake”

Mathieu Segers, Professor of Contemporary European History and European Integration

Expert interview: Mathieu Segers about European cooperation in times of crisis “What does the EU have to offer?” is the question the EU needs to answer now more than ever,