Institute of European Studies and International Relations (IESIR) – Comenius University Bratislava
Country: Slovakia 
Director: Dr. Oľga Gyarfášová
The Institute of European Studies and International Relations (IESIR) builds on the legacy of the Department of Political Science founded by Prof. Miroslav Kusý at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in 1990. In addition to that, the direct predecessor of IESIR was the Centre of European Studies, founded as a multidisciplinary research centre at Comenius University in 1998. In its present form, IESIR was established at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences at Comenius University in 2001. As part of its institutional structure, IESIR also hosts the UNESCO Chair for human rights education (the oldest one in the world, established in 1992).
The faculty members of IESIR have a multidisciplinary background in political science, sociology, international relations, organisation studies, history, law, economics, diplomacy, and philosophy. Internal and external members of the IESIR are well experienced due to their studies and visiting fellowships at the leading international research institutions. IESIR has an active research agenda in European studies and international relations and participates in a number of international research projects. The Institute also actively cooperates with the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conducting research and organising conferences.
IESIR offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in European Studies. It also offers a PhD programme in European Studies and Politics. Most of the courses at IESIR are offered in English by Slovak and international lecturers. Students can upon direct agreement with the lecturers to conduct their research in other than English or Slovak language. IESIR became regular member of TEPSA in 2012. In 2016, IESIR hosted the TEPSA Pre-Presidency Conference.
The main research activities of the IESIR involve the following areas: dynamics in diplomacy in the context of European integration; EU foreign policy; changes in the Transatlantic security architecture; the role of institutions in political life; comparative research on democratisation, political values – Slovakia between West and East, political cultures and identities; political symbolism; communication; prejudices, minority questions.
It publishes articles on contemporary world politics and the global political economy from a variety of methodologies and approaches.
Lucia Mokrá, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences at Comenius University, of which IESIR is part, is a member of the TEPSA Board since January 2017.
Latest News:
- TEPSA Brief: “Election Game Changer: Embargo on Public Polls”, Andrea Figulová
- TEPSA-Comenius University student discussion: “Myths on Migration”, Bratislava, 18 November 2019
- TEPSA-Comenius University Trans European Debate on migration, Bratislava, 18 September 2019
- Discover the VIADUCT Network: Institute of European Studies and International Relations – Comenius University Bratislava
- TEPSA Explainer: TEPSA Recommendations to the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU
- TEPSA-IESIR Public Discussion: Raising awareness on the European Parliament elections, Bratislava, 10 December 2018
- TEPSA/IESIR National Convention: “Raising Awareness on the European Parliament Elections”
- TEPSA Slovak Pre-Presidency Conference, Bratislava, 2-3 June 2016
- PhD School: “Democracy in Europe: Institutions and Practices”, 16-19 June 2014, Bratislava, Slovakia
- New publication by J. Bátora, Comenius University in Bratislava
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