About
We research European integration as a matrix of overlapping layers of governance, institutions and processes that shape how people of this continent live their lives and are governed, as well as how Europe engages the rest of the world.
CBE brochure
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DOWNLOADMission and activities
The purpose of the Centre for Britain and Europe (CBE) is to provide high-quality analysis that informs and develops scholarly and public debate on issues affecting the UK and Europe.
Operating at the intersection of academia, government, private sector and the media, the CBE is a forum for research, analysis and debate exploring the UK’s evolving and future relationship with Europe, as well as providing critical analyses of specific British and European policies including diplomacy, security, defence, development, regional and international affairs, among others.
Within the University of Surrey, the CBE promotes cooperation between its home Department of Politics and other units and groups, encouraging and supporting research, analysis and teaching on key areas of British and European policies.
Externally, CBE events, outputs (articles, briefing notes, reports and blogs), and media engagement provide decision-makers, journalists, businesses, analysts, scholars, students and citizens with access to high-quality contemporary insights on salient British and European issues.
The CBE includes full-time academics and visiting professors in the Department of Politics, scholars from other parts of the University of Surrey, and a range of associates drawn externally from both academia and a variety of public and private sectors to ensure a wide-ranging core of expertise.
Our goal
With an extensive range of research topics around both Britain and Europe, we aim to reframe Britain and European issues, by drawing on wide interdisciplinary expertise and insights.
As a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for 2020-2023, our goal is to provide Europe-oriented impact across the entire university community of Guildford and the county of Surrey, extending as far as London, which is already a core part of our public and policy engagement activities. We are building links with local civil society groups, schools and colleges, local politicians and the media. Over time, we hope these links will turn into a community of informed and active citizens.
Our Centre includes full-time academics and visiting professors from the Department of Politics, scholars from other parts of the University of Surrey, and a range of associates drawn externally from both academia and a variety of public and private sectors to ensure a wide-ranging core of expertise.
Research strategy
Operating at the intersection of academia, government, private sector and the media, our Centre is a forum for research, analysis and debate exploring the UK’s evolving and future relationship with Europe, as well as providing critical analyses of specific British and European policies including diplomacy, security, defence, development, regional and international affairs, among others.
Our Centre actively collaborates with the Department of Politics and other units and groups to encourage and support research, analysis, and teaching on key areas of British and European policies, which encapsulates six key areas of:
- Government and governance
- Foreign security and defence policy
- Gender and identity
- Parties and populism
- Sustainability and energy
- Stakeholder engagement.
This multidisciplinary approach allows us to bridge theory and practice, contributing to informed policymaking and real-world impact.
Our experts
The staff at the Centre for Britain and Europe (CBE) is widely recognized for its outstanding expertise in European and British affairs. Comprising accomplished academics from the UK, Canada, Italy, Germany, and Greece, they excel in interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, and teaching, making valuable contributions to scholarship and policymaking. They provide crucial insights into the complexities of European integration, British politics, and how we are positioned in the intersection of various global stakeholders. CBE's staff embodies a commitment to academic excellence and real-world impact, solidifying their status as leaders in the field.