Analysis of the perception of the EU and EU's policies abroad

The 2015 study on the „Analysis of the perception of the EU and EU's policies abroad“ carried out by PPMI, NCRE and NFG established a baseline on the EU's perception. The results of this study have guided subsequent development of FPI actions, notably in the field of Public Diplomacy. In early 2021, a new study was launched to assess the evolution in the EU's perception and its policies over the last five years.

Main Findings including executive summary for free download here: Results

The study's objective is to update the analysis carried out in 2015, looking at how the perception has evolved and/or changed in the 10 target countries: Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea and the USA. In addition, three new countries – Colombia, Indonesia and Nigeria – are included in the study. The goal is to provide a set of recommendations outlining ways of promoting the EU's new image of being progressive, responsible and flexible to adapt in constantly evolving contexts.

The key themes through which the perception of the EU and Europe will be explored in the study include the economy, science, research, and technology, political (internal and external) issues, energy, development, environment, social, culture and health.

The study will use the following methodology:

  • Literature review in each of the countries chosen for the study;
  • Media analysis in each of the countries, by exploring the framing of the EU and Europe in the media text;
  • Social media analysis by exploring the main trends of communication and reception of the EU and Europe;
  • Public opinion poll;
  • Interviews with key stakeholders in the selected countries, including policymakers, government officials, influential media and business professionals, opinion-makers, think tanks as well as high level EU Delegation representatives and focus groups with students.

Based on the study results, the project team will summarise the key findings, present the evolving risks, opportunities, and recommendations for the EU Public Diplomacy engagement in the future and produce a list of potential partner organisations.

The assignment involves PPMI's experts (led by PPMI Research Director Dr. Irma Budginaitė-Mačkinė) in close cooperation with the team from PD-PCF University of Canterbury (led by Director Prof. Dr. Natalia Chaban). The Core Team includes Team Leader Dr. Natalia Chaban, Deputy Team Leader Dr. Irma Budginaitė-Mačkinė, Core Team Coordinator Haroldas Brožaitis, Core Team Members Dr. Iana Sabatovych, Dr. Pauline Heinrichs, Elizabete Vizgunova-Vikmane and Justinas Didika. The consortium is led by B&S Europe.

Projectpartner

The study will be carried out using the knowledge of the experienced team of quality assurance and country experts. The team includes Dr. Elena Ananieva (Russian Academy of Sciences), Dr. Babak Bahador (George Washington University), Dr. Thomas Christiansen (Luiss University), Dr. Sae Won Chung (Pukyong National University), Dr. Preeti Dibyendu Das (Jawaharlal Nehru University), Dr. Roberto Dominguez (Suffolk University), Dr. Ole Elgström (University of Lund), Dr. Toni Haastrup (University of Stirling), Dr. Andrea Ribeiro Hoffman (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro), Dr. Michèle Knodt (Technical University of Darmstadt), Dr. John Kotsopulous (Global Affairs Canada), Dr. Sonia Lucarelli (University of Bologna), Dr. Jan Melissen (University of Antwerp), Dr. Grace O'Donovan (University of Edinburgh), Dr. Paramitaningrum (BINUS University), Andrea Quiroga (freelance research assistant), Dr. Antoine Rayroux (CESO Development Consultants), Dr. Paula Sandrin (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro), Dr. Sheetal Sharma (Jawaharlal Nehru University). Dr. Eric Tremolada Alvarez (Externado de Colombia University), Dr. Michito Tsuruoka (Keio University), Alix Vuitton (University of Montreal), Xiwen Wang (University of Canterbury).

Funding institution: EU EEAS

Funding period: 2020 – 2021

  Name Arbeitsgebiet(e) Kontakt
Prof. Dr. Michèle Knodt
Arbeitsbereichsleitung | Projektleitung
Vergleichende Analyse politischer Systeme und Integrationsforschung
+49 6151 16-57353
S3|12 439