JMC at OVGU – Researching and Teaching Europe's Policy Challenges
How can the European Union continue to implement legitimate and effective policies in times of rising contestation, Euroscepticism, and deep structural transformations? This is the guiding question of the Jean Monnet Chair in Democratic and Effective Governance (DEG), led by Prof. Dr. Eva G. Heidbreder at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.
Following the previous Jean Monnet Chair on Interactive Multilevel Democracy (IMD), the new DEG Chair shifts the focus from participatory governance to policy delivery—especially in the context of the digital and green transformation. It connects democratic legitimacy with effective policy implementation as two sides of the same coin.
🔍 Key Objectives and Focus Areas
Funded under ERASMUS+ (Project duration: 01/04/2025 – 31/03/2028), the DEG Chair is structured around three interconnected pillars:
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Excellence in Teaching
Strengthening innovative teaching across all levels of education—including BA/MA European Studies—with a strong emphasis on integrating early career scholars into academic teaching.
💡 A European lecture series featuring early career researchers is currently being developed. -
Academic Research & Applied Policy
Promoting both basic and applied research on effective EU governance and the implementation of policies under pressure.
✍️ Tailored support for early career researchers includes author workshops and mentorship formats. -
Dialogue & Dissemination
Creating interactive formats that foster exchange between academia, public administration, civil society, and policy-makers—regionally and internationally.
🌍 DEG provides a platform for young scholars to engage, present, and connect.
👥 Focus on Early Career Scholars
A central objective of the Chair is to support and empower the next generation of EU governance researchers. DEG applies a people-first, team-based approach, investing in academic development and long-term networks with high potential for sustainable impact.
📍Project Coordination
Prof. Dr. Eva G. Heidbreder
Institute II: Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities, OVGU
📍 Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg
📧 eva.heidbreder@ovgu.de
Funded by the European Union under ERASMUS+ (Project No. 101176204).
The views expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union.
