Center for European Integration Studies
The Center for European Integration Studies (Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung, ZEI) is an interdisciplinary research and post-graduate education institute at the University of Bonn, Germany, based in its Faculty of Arts and its Faculty of Law and Economics. ZEI has participated in research, policy advice, and dialogue between science and practice since its establishment in 1995. ZEI also offers graduate education and mid-career training opportunities to contribute to the resolution of unresolved issues of European integration and the shaping of Europe's global role. ZEI has established itself as a national center of excellence with an EU-wide perspective and orientation in matters of research, post-graduate education and public outreach. ZEI directors are Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt and Prof. Dr. Christian Koenig.
Background and Structure
The Bonn-Berlin Treaty of May 29, 1994–dealing with the consequence of the move of Germany’s national political institutions from Bonn to Berlin - provided for the establishment of a "Center for European Integration Studies” (ZEI) and a "Center for Development Research” (ZEF) as central scientific institutions of the University of Bonn. On May 4, 1995 the Senate of the University of Bonn agreed to establish these two centers. The overall concept was formulated in consultation with the participating organs of the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is based on an original proposal of the Senate of the University of Bonn from February 11, 1993. The Senate decision of May 4, 1995 is considered the founding date of the "Center for European Integration Studies" (ZEI) and the "Center for Development Research." (ZEF)
According to the founding resolution of the Senate of the University of Bonn of May 4, 1995, the tasks of ZEI are as follows: "ZEI will function as a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary institution aimed working on problems in the areas of political, legal, economic, social and cultural integration disparities in a regional and pan-European context. ZEI will conduct basic research in the conceptual area that encourages integration of research and to coordinate these efforts within the University and externally. ZEI is to take part in the solutions of concrete problems of integration by offering practical advice. All in all ZEI sees itself as a platform for the discussion of policy issues, a place to develop concepts, hypotheses and models. As an interface between theory and practice, ZEI focuses on institutional- and capacity-building in the field of integration research in Europe. ZEI can only realize its aforementioned goals through consistent openness to the public, through inclusion of guest researchers and through close cooperation with non-university institutions to integrate research, practice and integration of the European Union.”
Research and Post-Graduate (Master)Education
The Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) provides future oriented research on unresolved issues of European integration and the global role of Europe. The work of ZEI - basically in the fields of political science and law - is applied and linked with innovative knowledge transfer. Currently, ZEI research covers two research areas:
- European Governance and Regulation
- Comparative Regional Integration.
ZEI offers postgraduate students an English-speaking Master in European Studies with a focus on governance and regulation. An international faculty guarantees highest scholarly standards, diverse methods and perspectives on politics, law and economics. Practical experts and excursions to the decision-making centers of European politics add to the international atmosphere at ZEI in Bonn. A ZEI degree supports an excellent entrance into the European job market.
Publications
ZEI publishes in its own series. ZEI scholars also contribute regularly to national and international publications.
- Nomos Publishing House (Baden-Baden) publishes the “Schriften des Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung,” edited by ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt. Until 2013, 75 volumes of this series have been published. The Nomos Publishing House offers the leading publishing program on questions of European research in Germany.
In the field of jurisprudence dealing with network industries, communications and the respective European regulation legislation, ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Christian Koenig is Managing Editor of the journal series
- "Network Economics & Law" ( "N & R") with Law and Economics Publishing House (Frankfurt / Main) and co-editor of the journal
- "Communication & Law" ("K & R"), also published by Law and Economics Publishing House (Frankfurt / Main).
ZEI publishes "ZEI Discussion Paper" and the "Regional Integration Observer", dealing comparatively with regional integration trends around the world.
Post-Graduate (Master) Education
Currently, ZEI offers a one-year post-graduate Master program in English: The interdisciplinary “Master of European Studies” (MES) features academics and practitioners from across Europe. They cover issues of politics, law and economics related to European integration. The Fellows of ZEI’s “Master of European Studies” are post-graduate students with professional experience from across the EU and worldwide. Their career patterns in public institutions, private secotr, academia and media are outstanding and form a huge network of alumni. The ZEI “Master of European Studies” offers opportunities for a career related to European integration developments. Fifteen Master classes composing of almost 400 Fellows from around 60 countries have graduated from this program since 1998. Many of ZEI’s Master Fellows have embarked on significant careers throughout the world.
In addition, ZEI regularly offers Summer Schools and Mid-Career Training Programs. Particularly noteworthy is the ZEI Academy in Comparative Regional Integration (since 2007).