Co-creation of the European Universities Initiative (EUI): the role of higher education associations
Type
case review (law)
Date Issued
2023
Author(s)
Abstract
In this study, we explore the role of interest organizations in the development of one of the EU flagship initiatives: the European Universities Initiative (EUI). Our particular focus is on the strategies and organizational characteristics of national and transnational associations of higher education institutions (HE associations). The study sheds lights on how much access did various HE associations have to the EU level decision-makers and what kind of lobbying strategies they employed. This provides the backdrop for exploring how organizational characteristics are related to access and lobbying strategies. The associations that are in focus of this study vary in terms of breadth of membership and breadth of policy agenda (from very narrow to rather encompassing), geographical scope (national, region, European-wide) and resources. Our empirical material comprises (1) semi-structured interviews with representatives of higher education associations and European Commission officials, as well as (2) associations’ position papers and European Commission documents. This provides us with a novel and rich empirical basis, suitable for analysing the role of organized interest in shaping an EU-level initiative of significant strategic importance.
Event Title
ECPR General Conference 2023
Event Location
Prague, Czech Republic
Event Date
4.-8.09.2023