RELATE (European Studies in a Relational Universe) is a UACES Research Network with the primary goal to bring social relational approaches into the mainstream of European and EU studies. Reading groups are one way in which we aim to foster a supportive community of like-minded scholars and establish a research agenda for applying these approaches to the study of contemporary issues in European politics.

The first reading group session on 11 May 2022 (3pm BST / 4pm CEST) will revolve around the following questions: (1) What is a relational approach? and (2) How can a relational approach help us advance European Studies?

Tapping into recent debates, and complementing the discussion during our April launch event with Prof. Emilian Kavalski, we suggest participants to read the following articles before joining the reading group session:

Jackson, P. and Nexon, D. (2019). Reclaiming the Social: Relationalism in Anglophone International Studies, Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 32:5, 582-600, doi: 10.1080/09557571.2019.1567460
Kurki, M. (2021). Relational revolution and relationality in IR: New conversations. Review of International Studies, 1-16, doi:10.1017/S0260210521000127

Our debate will discuss these readings and their main messages: How do they present relationalism? What are commonalities and differences? How can relationalism help us better understand Europe and the European Union? Which work in European Studies already exists that takes a relational approach and which are avenues for further research?

We will be in touch a few days before the event with more details and the link to the online meeting.

In case of questions or suggestions for future reading group themes, please get in touch with the RELATE activity coordinators Sharon Lecocq (sharon.lecocq@kuleuven.be) and Heidi Maurer (heidrun.maurer@donau-uni.ac.at).

RELATE Reading Group session 1: what are relational approaches?