The European Union’s (EU) fate dominates much of the news headlines as the world waits to learn its fate. Papers presented in April at the European Union Center of California’s 10th annual Claremont-University of California Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union examined the stories behind the sound bites.
Fifty-six undergraduate students with a strong background in European affairs were selected from a large applicant pool to present and discuss their research at the conference in a series of panels lead by experts in the field. A keynote address was delivered by renowned Professor of European Politics Brigid Laffan of University College Dublin who spoke about dealing with crisis in the European Union.
Three 51猎奇入口 students were chosen to showcase their research at this year’s conference: Alison Jones ’13 presented on whether using nuclear energy is a viable method of reaching the EU’s 2020 energy goals, and recent graduates Emily Chesbrough ’12 and Stephanie Lester ’12 discussed internet governance in the European Union, and presented a paper on “The Economic and Legal Influences on the Brain Drain in Spain,” respectively.
“I appreciate that this was a conference for undergraduate students because it provides the opportunity to gain experience presenting at an academic conference in a less intimidating environment,” said Lester. “Plus, it introduced me to new topics that are of interest to me.”
At the conclusion of the conference, faculty participants nominated and selected the conference’s “best papers.” These papers will be published in a special volume of conference proceedings. Additionally, selected students were awarded the opportunity to participate in various study tours. Lester was selected as one of only nine participants whose paper was awarded publication and also awarded a study tour. She is planning to 聽聽study the changing nature of the European Community at the Jean Monnet International Summer School of the University of Rome.
“I am so excited to go to Rome in July,” says Lester. “I am looking forward to learning about the Europeans’ views on the current state of affairs and to expand my knowledge of these topics. Also, I have never been to Rome, so I hope to have time to take in a few sights!”
More than 30 colleges and universities form across the United States were represented at the EU Center’s largest and most institutionally diverse conference to date. To learn more, visit .