Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR)

The Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) is a major interdisciplinary centre for research on Europe, its diasporas and its relations with the wider world.

CEISR was established in 1997 and is now the largest centre of its kind in the UK . It brings together over 70 researchers from across the University including linguists, historians, sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists and specialists in area studies. 

It made the largest entry to the European Studies panel in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise and has achieved international excellence for its research on European history, politics, policy, culture and language, Sociology, Sociolinguistics, and in the fields of Slavonic, Francophone and French area studies.

2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise

The Centre for European & International Studies Research was rated top in the UK for research in European Studies in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise. This is according to the Research Power Index compiled by the journal Research Fortnight.

Source: Research Fortnight RAE 2008 Analysis. How the rankings are calculated.

The Centre offers a vibrant, supportive and intellectually stimulating environment within which to pursue research. Postgraduate researchers take part in our regular research seminars and we hold an annual postgraduates' study half-day, at which postgraduates have the opportunity to present their research in progress to their peers as well as to academic staff from across the Faculty and receive feedback on it. The Faculty also provides teaching opportunities to support the development of its postgraduate researchers as future academics. The Centre has recognition from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for its +3 doctoral awards programme

The Centre provides a dynamic environment that facilitates and promotes research on a variety of interdisciplinary themes in the humanities, social sciences and arts.  Reflecting this diversity, members of the Centre are currently involved in a wide range of research projects exploring topics including the European Union as a transnational space, colonialism and postcolonialism, EU language policy, citizenship studies, the history of the Jewish press, 1970s British Cinema, European film, cultural values (especially religion), sociology of the body, European thought, gender history, the French Revolution, law and race in nineteeth century United States and the sociology and history of sport.

The activities of the Centre have been funded by major UK and European research councils, such as the AHRC, ESF, ESRC, as well as the EU, UNESCO, the British Academy and various NGOs as well as the University.

Postdoctoral research fellows, research assistants and postgraduate students play a vital role in the activity of the Centre, chiefly through involvement in the research clusters and participation in research projects, the research seminar programme and the annual postgraduate study day.

Research Activities

CEISR supports and promotes a range of research activities.

• Promoting debate on research through weekly research seminars, study half days, an annual lecture and postgraduate study days.
• Funding a wide range of staff research activities and conference presentations, nationally and internationally.
• Advising its members on the development of their research, publishing opportunities and external funding opportunities through its research consultancy scheme.
• Hosting international and national conferences.
• Creating a thriving research culture for postgraduates within a dedicated Centre.  Bursaries and scholarships are available.
• Hosting visiting scholars. These include a number of internationally renowned figures attached to the Centre as visiting professors.
• Maintaining and developing strong links with other major European research centres.