Event: Futures of Europe workshop
Date: Friday 28 March 2025
Time: 09.15-19.00
Venue: Royal Society of Edinburgh (Scott Room), 22-26 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PQ
Hosts: Scottish Council on Global Affairs, University of St Andrews’ Scotland’s Future Series.
In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine—a watershed moment in modern European geopolitics—alongside the re-election of Donald Trump, the potential unravelling of the transatlantic alliance, and the rise of extremist parties across Europe and the Atlantic, questions surrounding Europe’s future—or, indeed, its possible futures—have taken on new urgency. Many longstanding policy strategies of the EU, its member states, and its close neighbours—not least the UK and its constituent nations—now require reassessment.
Organised under the Chatham House Rule to encourage open dialogue, the workshop will bring together academic experts from across Scotland, the UK, and Europe with policymakers, to explore pressing questions about the possible futures of European integration, geopolitics, and security; the evolving EU–UK relationship; and the challenges that individual European countries may face.
The keynote opening speech will be delivered by Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs, and Culture, Scottish Government. Christiane Hullmann, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Edinburgh, and Stéphane Pailler, Consul General of France in Edinburgh, will lead the concluding keynote event.
Recognising that many similar discussions often take place in London, this event aims to establish Edinburgh as an alternative venue
for such debates. It seeks to foster connections between policy practitioners and scholars in political science, international relations, and history—initiating a dialogue to address some of the most pressing issues facing Europe and the UK and to explore potential futures for Europe
The event will feature unscripted roundtable discussions rather than formal presentations, ensuring debate between the panellists and the audience.
Organisers and Enquiries:
This workshop is organised by Dr Bernhard Blumenau and Archippus Sturrock. Enquiries can be directed to Dr Bernhard Blumenau at bb57@st-andrews.ac.uk. Please register for the workshop by emailing irevents@st-andrews.ac.uk .
Programme for the day
(Please note, the programme can be subject to change)
9:00–9:45 Registration and Coffee
9:45-10:00 Welcome by the Organisers, Dr Bernhard Blumenau (University of St Andrews)
10.00-10.30 Keynote address Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs, and Culture,
Scottish Government
10:30–12:00 – Panel 1: Europe and the World, Chair: Dr Henning Tamm (University of St Andrews)
- Dr Scott Brown (University of Dundee): Europe and China
- Prof Jussi Hanhimäki (Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva): Europe and the US
- Dr Catherine Jones (University of St Andrews): Europe and Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan
- Dr Marcin Kaczmarski (University of Glasgow): Europe and Russia
- Dr Nathaniel Powell (Oxford Analytica): Europe and Africa
12.00–12:20 Coffee Break
12:30–13:50 – Panel 2: Europe and Its Challenges
- Chair: Prof Juliet Kaarbo (University of St Andrews)
- Dr Adam Chalmers (University of Edinburgh): Climate Change, Transition, and Sustainability
- Dr Megan Dee (University of Stirling): Europe as a Global Actor and the Global Nuclear Order
- Prof Kristen Harkness (University of St Andrews): European Security and Competition in the Arctic
- Dr Sarah Marsden (University of St Andrews): Extremism and Micro-Level Security
- Dr Muireann O’Dwyer (University of St Andrews): European Integration
- Dr Tim Wilson (University of St Andrews): Terrorism
13:50–14:30 – Lunch
14:30–16:00 – Panel 3: Europe and Its (Member) States
- Chair: Dr Mateja Peter (University of St Andrews)
- Dr Bernhard Blumenau (University of St Andrews): Germany
- Dr Stephen Bowman (University of Stirling): Scotland and Europe
- Prof Emile Chabal (University of Edinburgh): France
- Dr Anca Cretu (University of Warwick): Eastern Europe
- Dr Benjamin Martill (University of Edinburgh): UK
16:00–16:30 – Coffee Break
16:30–17:30 – Concluding Keynote Discussion
Chair: Dr Bernhard Blumenau (University of St Andrews)
- Christiane Hullmann, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Edinburgh
- Stéphane Pailler, Consul General of France in Edinburgh
17:30–17:45 – Final Comments and Reflections, Dr Bernhard Blumenau (University of St Andrews)
17:45–19:00 – Reception.
Click the button download the full programme (pdf) for the event