European Programmes

The annual Research Methodology Course of the Doctoral School of the European Security and Defence College, entitled “European Security and Defence in a World of Rising Complexity”, took place from 1 to 4 April 2025 at the University of Piraeus. The course was organised by Professor Foteini Asderaki, Director of the MSc in International and European Studies and Chair of the Doctoral School, Jean Monnet Chair at the Department of International and European Studies.

Postgraduate students of the MSc in International and European Studies had the opportunity to engage with academics, doctoral candidates, EU officials, diplomats, and representatives of European institutions and organisations on issues related to the unstable international environment, the role of the European Union, and strategic autonomy. They also benefited from specialised methodology seminars.

Speakers included Eva Gross from the European External Action Service, Dr Brice Didier from Sciences Po, Professor Anna Molnár from the University of Public Service Hungary, Professor Ilias Maglogiannis from the Department of Digital Systems at the University of Piraeus, George Verdi from the European Council on Foreign Relations, Associate Professor Panagiota Manoli, Dr Konstantinos Chatzisavvas, Senior Research Fellow at École des Ponts Business School, Kurt Engelen, Director of the Centre for Security and Defence Studies, and Dr Eleni Patouni, Project Officer GNC for Space at the European Defence Agency.

The round table discussion featured Professor Aristotelis Tziampiris, Chair of the Department of International and European Studies, Laurence Auer, Ambassador of France to Greece, and Professor Eirini Cheila from the University of Piraeus. Another round table included Wojciech Ponikiewski, Chargé d’Affaires a. i. of the Republic of Poland, Anastasios Rozolis, Chairman of the BoD of the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defense and Security Material Association (SEKPY), and Dr Alvaro Renedo Zalba, Ambassador of Spain in Qatar, ESDC Doctoral School Alumni.

The methodology seminars were delivered by Professor Marinel-Adi Mustață, Director of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School at Carol I National Defence University; Professor Petros Maravelakis from the University of Piraeus; Professor Claudio Longobardi from the Department of Psychology at the University of Turin; Assistant Professor Sofia Mastrokoukou from the University of Salerno; Associate Professor Athanasios Samaras; Professor Ioannis Paravantis, both from the Department of International and European Studies; and Bernard Siman, Senior Associate Fellow at the Egmont Institute. Dr Christina Kontogoulidou, Head of the Office of International Relations and European Programmes at the University of Piraeus, also informed students about mobility opportunities.