Summer Module 2024 - early notice
The third edition of the Summer Module on Economics and Institutions in Europe will take place in Trento (Italy), from 1 to 5 July 2024.
Governing diversity
Call for applications
SMEIE, Summer Modules in Economics and Institutions, is a three-year initiative of the research group "Economics and Institutions in Europe", Department of Economics and Management (DEM) of the University of Trento (Italy). The initiative is funded by the European Commission (European Education and Culture Executive Agency) Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Action, jointly with the Trento Jean Monnet Centre and DEM.
SMEIE is an international reference point for scholars, master, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers focused on the thematic innovation of variety as a factor of greater strength in the European integration process, with a view to:
- generate knowledge and insights that can support EU policy-making and bolster the role of the EU in a globalized world;
- help understanding and communicating the value of economic and institutional diversity as a fundamental step in the integration process, thus reinforcing the European institutional construction in an age of new threats and opportunities;
- stimulate participants to make EU policy makers sensitive to new relevant policy tools;
- allow students to interact on a continuous basis among them and with the lecturers.
SMEIE 2024. Key topics
Europe is home to many societies that are quite diverse in terms of their histories, cultures, religious beliefs and values. At the same time, the EU is pursuing gradual integration of differences for a peaceful coexistence (United in Diversity). It combines such long-term vision with goals such as democracy and the rule of law that make a certain amount of harmonization across member states necessary.
The diversity of Europe’s societies is also reflected in its many diverse informal institutions while the EU pursues harmonization policies that rely and reinforce common formal institutions. This implies that the two types of institutions can clash against each other. Currently, there are up to ten candidate countries that would increase Europe’s diversity even more.
This year’s edition will ask how this diversity can be dealt with. Many informal institutions have proven to be very sticky; they are unlikely to change in the short run. If formal and informal institutions need to be compatible with each other, a number of questions arise: how to organize multi-level governance? Who is to make decisions at what level? At what degree of specificity? How do we even detect frictions and incompatibilities? How do we deal with them once we find them? In brief: how can local traditions and values be incorporated without compromising the overarching goals of the EU?
We will study key theoretical and methodological topics at the frontier of current knowledge including: institutional complementarities, measuring culture, experimental evidence for differing social norms, and the European integration process. Participants of the Summer School will be actively involved in the program. They all get the chance to present their own doctoral projects. Exchange among students (and lecturers) is facilitated because all will be hosted at the same place.
Since the extension of the EU will be an important aspect in the 2024 edition of the Summer School, we especially encourage students from the candidate countries to apply.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Paul Dragos Aligica – Pittsburgh University (USA)
- Christian Bjørnskov – Aarhus University (DK)
- Sara M. Constantino – Northeastern University (USA)
- Nadia von Jacobi – University of Trento (IT)
- Anastasia Litina – University of Thessaloniki (GR)
- Stefan Voigt – University of Hamburg (GER)
The Summer Module has an international dimension and includes multiple activities: keynote lectures, lectures, panel sessions, group activities, diffusion through social media.
Admission requirements
Applicants should be regularly enrolled in a Master programme, in a PhD programme or be young post-doc researchers. Applicants will be required to upload their updated CV, and a research synopsis (up to 500 words) presenting and motivating their current research, and clarifying how such research is linked with the theme of the Summer Module. Each participant will also have the opportunity to present and discuss his/her research agenda with the other participants and the faculty.
The scientific committee of SMEIE will select up to 15 applicants. All admitted participants will receive an official participation certificate at the end of the Summer Module.
Costs
Applicants whose application is accepted will be asked to confirm admission by paying a participation fee of €100,00. This is meant to insure against costs of late withdrawals, and will contribute to the extra-teaching activities of the Summer Module.
All-inclusive accommodation
The selected students will be hosted free of charge in the venue of the Summer Module, Villa S. Ignazio (Trento, Italy), inclusive of accommodation in a double room, and three meals per day.
Travel
The selected participants will have to organize the trip to and from Trento and pay the travel costs by their own.
Application procedure
Please click on this link* to apply for the Summer Module. Italian residents can access with a @unitn.it account, SPID or CIE. Applicants without a @unitn.it account can create an account by following the registration procedure as explained at the above link.
*https://webapps.unitn.it/Apply/it/Web/GoHome/stp/SMEIE_2024
Important dates
• Call deadline: extended April 21th
• Publication of the result of the selection process: April 29th
• Acceptance of admission and payment of the participation fee: May 10th
Programme coordinators: Stefan Voigt, Nadia von Jacobi
Scientific Committee: Luigi Bonatti, Sara Casagrande, Bruno Dallago, Lucio Gobbi, Klaudijo Klaser, Maria Luigia Segnana, Roberto Tamborini, Stefan Voigt, Nadia von Jacobi.
For any enquiry on the Summer Module please contact: roberto.tamborini@unitn.it