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March 2016
Note from the Editor
It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing on the 12th February of Maurice Fraser, former Head of the European Institute and Professor of Practice in European Politics. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maurice’s family at this difficult time. If you would like to share condolences or memories of Maurice you can do so on the condolences page. Maurice’s family are also inviting donations to the Brain Tumour Charity, in lieu of flowers – www.justgiving.com/mauricefraser.
With best wishes,
Emma Rees
Events & Communications Manager
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A personal message from Professor Craig Calhoun, President and Director of LSE:
“Maurice Fraser was a friend of LSE from his days as a student through his career in public life to his return as a distinguished leader in the European Institute. Charming, gracious, and a witty conversationalist he brought wide and practical knowledge to the School. He will be sorely missed, not least in the context of the current debates over Europe, on which an LSE Commission he helped found will soon report.”
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A personal message from Professor Kevin Featherstone, Head of the European Institute:
"Maurice’s ties to the School stretch over a long period: having been an undergraduate in Government, he returned after 1995 to teach in what was then the new European Institute. He became Head of the European Institute in 2013, but was obliged to step down in December 2015 owing to ill-health. Maurice was Professor in Practice, having served as special advisor to three successive British foreign secretaries during the tumultuous historical period of 1989-1995, amongst other posts. Maurice had wide professional experience, being a member/ trustee/ chair of a range of public bodies. Of special importance to him was his work on Europe and, in particular, Anglo-French relations. He had been educated at the Lycee Francais de Londres and he became Vice-Chair of the Franco-British Council and a contributing editor to ‘Valeurs Actuelles’, a French weekly. At LSE, he was the Programme Director for the European Institute’s double Masters’ degree with Sciences-Po. He was made Chevalier de la Legion d' honneur in 2008 and Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia in 2015. Maurice was the long-term Director of the LSE’s public lecture series on Europe, utilising his extensive professional experience and contacts to make the School the premier UK platform for public debate on Europe. He was a devoted teacher and was inspired to help bridge the gap between the practical world of policy-making and that of academe for successive generations of the European Institute’s students.
Maurice was widely liked and admired, by both staff and students and across public life. He was very well-read and had a range of intellectual interests. Discussion with him was often stimulating, sometimes maddening, but always courteous and fun. He was a supportive and respectful colleague and he loved LSE. Latterly, he gave everything to the European Institute – endeavouring to carry on as Head, despite his physical and mental deterioration and amidst much stress. It had been his dearest wish to attend last December’s Graduation Ceremony to announce the names of his beloved graduands, but alas this was already not feasible for him. His family background and his professional experience made Maurice a committed and life-long ‘European’ in his political orientation. His legacy of service to LSE will ensure that he always remain a cherished part of the European Institute community. We will all miss him terribly.
The EI has received many, many warm personal messages of sympathy from his friends – from across British and European academic and public life – and these reflect Maurice’s character and stature. Maurice’s family are inviting donations to the Brain Tumour Charity, in lieu of flowers and in his name: the link is www.justgiving.com/mauricefraser .
Our thoughts and prayers are with Maurice’s family."
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Christian Lequesne, who is a Professor at Sciences Po in Paris, has written an obituary for Maurice Fraser in French newspaper Le Monde.
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Simon Glendinning, Professor of European Philosophy at the European Institute, gave a tribute to Maurice Fraser at the start of the LSE Literary Festival 2016 event 'One School, Two Visions'. You can listen to the podcast here. Professor Robin Mansell, Deputy Director of LSE, also dedicated the Literary Festival 2016 in his memory.
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Angelo Martelli, who is a Phd candidate at the EI and president of the LSE Italian Society, has provided his personal reflections on the tragic disappearance and murder of Cambridge PhD student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in the EUROPP blog. The blog piece was picked up by Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Angelo was also interviewed by The Guardian, Times Higher Education and Vice News at the memorial service held for Giulio Regeni in London on the 12 February.
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The Del Singh Foundation is generously funding a new MSc scholarship at LSE. The Del Singh Foundation Scholarship will cover tuition fees and living costs to support one student in the next academic year (2016/17) on any post-graduate course at the School’s European Institute, with preference given to students from war zones/conflict affected areas.
The Foundation was created in January 2014 following the tragic death of LSE alumnus Del Singh (MSc 2000 European Studies) in Kabul, Afghanistan while working with the British Department of International Development. Del dedicated his life to fighting for human rights across the world and sought justice for those whose voices could not be heard. He channelled his passion into every project he was involved in - from his international development work to supporting local community projects at home.
Dishi Kaur Umfleet, Del’s sister and founder of the Del Singh Foundation, commented: “The Del Singh Foundation Scholarship is in tribute to my brother’s life – to honour Del’s accomplishments while perpetuating his vision of equality of opportunity for all.”
Kevin Featherstone, Head of the European Institute, commented “It is a privilege for the European Institute to host a scholarship in the memory of one of our own alumni who clearly demonstrated the best human values of international understanding and cooperation. It will provide opportunity to a young successor who would not otherwise have been able to study with us. This is, indeed, a fitting tribute."
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Hellenic Observatory Imagine Greece Exhibition
A photographic exhibition on Greece showcasing images of the country and its people. Organised by the Hellenic Observatory, LSE Arts and Photoglobe Seminars to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Hellenic Observatory.
Monday 7 March- Friday 18 March 2016
(except Wed 9 March from 17.00 onwards)
Visitors are welcome Monday - Friday 10.00-20.00.
Venue: LSE Atrium Gallery
Please check LSE Arts for more details.
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Sara Hagemann and Sara Hobolt will be taking part in an The Commission on the Future of the UK in Europe event on the 22 March on 'The UK’s Democratic Moment on ‘Europe’?'. This session will examine public attitudes towards the European Union and national politics in the context of the referendum debate, and seek to shed light on the mandate presented to the UK government and parliament in the event of either ‘Brexit’ or support for the UK to ‘remain’ in the EU
The Commission will soon be drafting a final report to add to those already on the EI website, and is planning a launch event in May or September with senior keynote addresses expected.
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EVENTS
Tuesday 1 March, 18.30 - 20.00, Wolfson Theatre, LSE
BOOK LAUNCH: Who's to blame for Greece? Austerity in Charge of Saving a Broken Economy
Speakers: Theodore Pelagidis and Michael Mitsopoulos
Organised by the Hellenic Observatory
Free entry event - first come first served basis
Thursday 3 March, 17.30 - 18.30, venue TBC to ticket holders
Managing Europe - What is Germany's Responsibility?
The European Institute Perspectives on Europe Series
Speaker: Dr Wolfgang Schäuble (pictured above)
Organised by the European Institute
Tickets available to LSE staff and students here.
The event will be streamed live here.
Friday 4 March, 16.30 - 18.00, COW 1.11, Cowdray House
‘Policy-making in the dark: How the European Union is changing under populist pressures’
The European Union in Practice: Politics and Practice in the Brussels System research seminar series
Speaker: Dr Heather Grabbe
Organised by the European Institute
Monday 7 March - Friday 18 March, 10.00 - 20.00 (Mon - Fri), LSE Atrium Gallery
Imagine Greece
A photographic exhibition on Greece showcasing images of the country and its people
Organised by the Hellenic Observatory, LSE Arts and Photoglobe Seminars to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Hellenic Observatory
Tuesday 8 March, 18.00 - 19.30, Cañada Blanch Room COW 1.11 Cowdray House
Experiments with austerity and anti-poverty policies in Greece
Speaker: Vassilis Arapoglou (pictured above)
Organised by the Hellenic Observatory
We are grateful to the National Bank of Greece for funding this research project
Thursday 10 March, 18.30 - 20.00, Room CLM 3.02, 3rd floor, Clement House, LSE
Too Important to fail: Humanitarian financing in a more fragile world
The European Institute 'Perspectives on Europe' series
Speaker: Kristalina Georgieva (pictured above)
This event is free and open to all with no ticket required
Friday 11 March, 13.00 - 14.00, Shaw Library, 6th Floor, Old Building, LSE
How to boost growth as the Oil Price Falls: transformation and reform of the Norwegian economy
The European Institute 'Perspectives on Europe' series
Speaker: Siv Jensen (pictured above)
This event is free and open to all with no ticket required
Tuesday 15 March, 18.00 - 19.30, Cañada Blanch Room COW 1.11 Cowdray House
Pension Reforms in the Balkans and their Neighbours
Speaker: Dr Bernard Casey
Organised by LSEE Research on South Eastern Europe
This event is free and open to all with no ticket required
Thursday 17 March, 18.30 - 20.00, Wolfson Theatre, LSE
BOOK LAUNCH: A Financial Crisis Manual - Reflections on the Road Ahead
Speakers: Platon Monokroussos, Kostas Nikolopoulos and Dimitri Thomakos
Organised by the Hellenic Observatory
This event is free and open to all with no ticket required
Wednesday 6 April, 18.30, Wolfson Theatre, LSE
Roaming: Living and Working Abroad in the 21st Century
Speakers: CM Patha and Phillipe Legrain
Organised by LSE Alumni
Book a ticket to attend by Thursday 31 March here.
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Sara Hobolt organised an event in Brussels on the European Parliament elections, which took place on the 24 February. The event provided insights from the latest academic and survey research on European Parliament elections and public opinion.
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The EU in Practice seminar series, which runs on Friday afternoons on COW 1.11, is well attended by a group of faithful Euro-followers. Baroness Catherine Ashton spoke at the seminar on Friday 12th February to a packed room and answered a wide range of questions. The series, organised by Visiting Research fellows Anthony Teasdale and Martin Westlake, is worth putting in your diary. 2016 dates for the seminar series are listed here.
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SIXTY-SECOND INTERVIEW
...with Jennifer Jackson-Preece
Associate Professor of Nationalism at the European Institute and Department of International Relations
What do you think it is that the EI offers that other European Studies departments don’t?
The EI has a fantastic interdisciplinary range that really is second to none. I can't think of anywhere else where you could discuss European labour economics in the morning, the securitization of migration in the afternoon, and the philosophy of Europe in the evening.
Can you give us three reasons why prospective European Studies students should choose the European Institute for their studies?
Having spent the last 19 years in the EI, you will need to forgive my obvious local pride. But for me the top three reasons to study at the EI are 1) the intimacy & warmth of our community of learning; 2) the diversity of interests & expertise on offer at the EI; 3) the fabulous range of high profile speakers who grace us with their insights on Europe.
How would you describe Europe today in three words?
Scared of (im)migration!
If you were not in academia, what would you most likely be?
Academia is the 'family business' in my house (my Dad is Professor Emeritus of International Relations & Political Science at Boston University) so it's hard to think 'out of the box'. I have often wished that I had worked for the Office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities before joining academia as I really value the work of the office & the enormous commitment of the staff. And I think it would be fun to try and write a political thriller / mystery, but have never gotten further than a couple of chapters...maybe one day?!
What is your favourite part of London?
Bloomsbury. I love Russell Square & the British Museum & all those wonderful blue plaques locating past artistic & literary lives within the London if today. Sometimes it almost feels like you can hear the wonderful conversations of literary London a hundred years ago.
If you could book any guest speaker for an LSE public event, who would you choose?
J. K. Rowling. I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I have even been known to cast a spell or two, wand in hand, at the Peacock Theatre (it helps keep the LSE100 audience entertained).
Where is the most interesting place you have visited?
Moldova. I was there last year as part of the Eastern Partnership Programme. According to Lonely Planet, it is the least visited country in Europe - that fact really impressed my ten year old son. For me, Moldova was a very poignant place to visit because on so many levels it epitomises why minority & migration issues must be studied together. It has one of the highest emigration rates in Europe, with 50% going East to Russia & 50% going West to the EU. And it is a frozen ethnic conflict situation.
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EI IN THE NEWS
Sara Hobolt was interviewed on BBC This Week in Parliament to discuss the referendum campaign on Friday 29 January.
Iva Tomić discussed the low employment rate in Croatia in an article published in Jutarnji List on the 30 January.
Dr Angelos Chryssogelos was quoted in an article titled 'Proposta extrema'("Extreme proposal") in Mundo Brazil on 2 February.
Lorenzo Codogno wrote a piece entitled 'Reconsider Italy’s regulation and surveillance to address banking issues' for Op-Ed Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy's main economic-financial newspaper, on 2 February.
Iva Tomić discussed the trade-off between employment of older and younger workers in Croatia in an article published in Večernji list on Thursday 4 February.
Dr Angelos Chryssogelos was quoted in an article titled 'Greece's Economy Is Getting Crushed Between Austerity And The Refugee Crisis' in The World Post on 3 February.
Lorenzo Codogno was interviewed by Radio24 on the 'global outlook and the banking crisis' on the 8 February.
Lorenzo Codogno was interviewed by SkyTG24 about the 'global outlook, Italy's fiscal situation and Italy's banking sector' on the 8 February.
Lorenzo Codogno was interviewed about the 'global economic outlook, Greece, Italy, Spain, the ECB and the Fed' by CNBC Class on the 10 February.
Dr Platon Tinios gave a radio interview about Greece's pension reform on eFM Primetime Station, Seoul on 11 February.
James Ker-Lindsay discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application to join the European Union on LBC on Monday 15 February.
James Ker-Lindsay discussed how Bosnia’s application for EU membership could be hampered by ethnic divisions on Voice of America on Tuesday 16 February.
James Ker-Lindsay discussed the announcement of early elections in Serbia on Danas (Serbia) on Tuesday 16 February.
Eddie Gerba was consulted on the possible extensions of the ECB’s Quantitative Easing Programme and the analysis prepared for the European Parliament on: ‘Ten Measures the ECB Might Adopt to Devalue the Euro at Their March Gathering’ (Newspaper), PoundSterlingLive.com on 18 February.
Iain Begg was interviewed about Britain's future in Europe on China Central Television on 18 February.
Lorenzo Codogno wrote a piece for Op-Ed On Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy's main economic-financial newspaper, about the 'Greek emergency: time to move on' on 20 February.
Angelo Martelli commented on the EU summit, Brexit and migration on Italian TV channel La7 TV on Saturday 20 February.
Eddie Gerba was interviewed on the Economic Consequences of a Brexit by the Argentinian National Radio, ‘Corresponsales en Linea, Radio Ciudad’ (in Spanish) on 20 February.
Iain Begg wrote a commentary entitled 'Here's why investors should be really worried about a brexit' in Fortune magazine on the 22 February.
Thierry Chopin comments on 'Why the anti-EU commitment of Boris Johnson is a blow to David Cameron' in French daily newspaper 20 Minutes on the 22 February.
Lise Esther Herman spoke on a French radio show about the rise of far-right populism in Europe on Sunday 28 February.
European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science
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