Research

For over ten years I have dedicated my research to the processes involved in the formation of public policy in the European Union. Building on my existing analyses of regional policy and the external relations and of the European Commission, I am currently conducting research to better understand how Europe is promoted through the vector of EU public policy.

While many uniquely supranational policy initiatives in the EU exist (Single Market, Competition Law, etc.), I have chosen to analyze cross-border cooperation in two distinct regions – the Eurometropole Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai and the Mercantour Natural Park.  These regions are of particular interest to me because they represent urban and rural geographies.  Historically, these entities have been national (French) constructs of regions that have recently defined themselves as European regions worthy of funding from EU budget sources. Both are supported in part and possess project work and actions that are coordinated by the Regional Policy Directorate General of the European Commission.

Using a hybrid research methodology that blends qualitative interviews, discourse analysis and political claims analysis, my research is based on three main hypotheses: 1/ The border – in its largest sense of the term – is a space of promotion for the European Union; 2/ Cross-border action is fundamental in the legitimation process of European public policy; 3/ The mediatization of European Groupings of Common Territories is utilized to promote Europe.

It is my hope that this research will have wider applications and help readers to better understand the policy circulation process political communication in Europe. Ideally, my research will also help those who shape public policy in Europe to achieve more effective governance using the examples of local and supranational communications described in this project.

---