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A key priority of the EU since the 1990s has been the promotion of liberal democracy in undemocratic and illiberal societies such as those of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Pace's work has furnished important insights to policy practitioners working on the EU's role in democracy promotion. She has provided advice and recommendations to the EU External Action Service, the European Commission and the European Parliament (EP) as well as the Swedish government (via the International Institute on Democracy and Electoral assistance [IDEA]). This work has directly informed the following decisions: an EP Resolution on Democracy Building in the EU's External Relations (dated 22 October 2009); and the European Council's Conclusions on Democracy Support in the EU's External Relations (dated 17 November 2009).
(1) European Commission officials and humanitarian aid agency representatives based their discussion of European Union (EU) and humanitarian policy options in Syria and their ultimate recommendations to United Nations officials in Geneva on the findings of a policy options paper prepared by Professor Rosemary Hollis of City University London. In addition, senior UK military planners incorporated Hollis's findings in contingency planning in April 2012 and April 2013 following her invited participation in brainstorming sessions.
(2) Hollis's research findings expanded UK-Turkish dialogue and contributed to the success of a key forum (Tatlidil, Istanbul, October 2012) aimed at deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.
(3) The 2013 Foreign Policy Report of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) on the `Balance of Competences' between the UK and the EU was substantiated with evidence from her research.
(4) Her research informed and shaped media coverage and civil society debate about Arab uprisings during the period 2009-2012.
This case study examines the impact of research relating to the conceptual foundations of democracy promotion on thought and practice of the relevant practitioner communities. Practitioners affected include: officials, desk officers, policy drafters, and implementers of democracy promotion in governmental organisations and international organisations; consultants involved in democracy promotion; and members of non-governmental organisations involved in delivery and planning of democracy promotion. The impact has been primarily on enhanced awareness among practitioners of the multiple meanings of democracy; on the capacity of practitioners to identify and reflect on conceptual underpinnings of their work; and on the thought frameworks relating to practitioners' work. Additional impacts on behavioural practices have also been generated.
The global financial crisis led the European Union (EU) to diversify its sources for the EU Budget, including co-financing instruments with multilateral development banks. Dr Robinson's research addressed key concerns about financial risk and the lack of transparency created through such partnerships. His research has been recognised as improving the understanding of these complex instruments within EU institutions and its impact may be measured through the implementation of several of its key recommendations. These include the creation of the `EBRD Representative for EU affairs' within a participating bank, the acceleration of EU co-financing strategy, and the unprecedented action of the EU Court of Auditors including the banks in their auditing process.
Research on participation in governance and related policy instruments, with a particular focus on interest organisations and groups, with strategic orientation of research publications towards impact, and evidence of use at the highest level in public policy reviews and public discourse/debate, as well as deliberations of advocacy groups.
This case study focuses on the development of the European Union (EU) as a global political/security actor, particularly regarding the dynamic relationship between institution-building, strategic thinking, and policy performance. The impact involves the influence of Professor Michael E. Smith's research on EU foreign/security policy on current policy debates about the EU's future as a global actor, and on the broader issue of the EU's purpose in world politics. The EU is currently considering ideas about how to reform its ambitions in this area in light of the 2009 Treaty of Lisbon, providing a major opportunity for Smith's work to have an impact.
This case-study is based upon research by Prof Michael Dougan and Dr Michael Gordon (both members of the Liverpool European Law Unit) undertaken between 2008 and 2013. That work critically assesses a series of interlinked EU constitutional reforms, and their impact upon the EU's relationship to its Member States, with particular reference to the UK experience: first, the interpretation and implementation of the Lisbon Treaty 2007; secondly, the design and implications of the European Union Act 2011; thirdly, Britain's legal and political reception of the 2012 "Fiscal Compact" Treaty. The research's principal impacts have occurred within the period 1 January 2008 to 31 July 2013. They consist in providing a wide range of high-level institutional actors (including the European Court of Justice, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the House of Commons) with an objective and thorough critical evaluation of those major constitutional developments, so as directly to inform and assist their policy deliberations (including specific recommendations based directly on the research) on issues of fundamental importance to the future interests of the EU and the UK.
Research on the management and implementation of EU Cohesion policy has informed the legislative proposals made in 2011 by the European Commission for the reform of Cohesion policy. It has also influenced some organisational changes within the Commission introduced in early 2013. EU Cohesion policy is the second largest area of expenditure in the EU budget, currently worth c. €347bn for the 2007-13 period, and provides funding for regional socio-economic development programmes in all EU Member States. The legislative proposals influenced by the Strathclyde research affect every national, regional and local authority in the EU benefiting from EU Structural and Cohesion Funds.
Professor Karen E. Smith's research into European Union policy in the areas of human rights and the prevention of mass atrocities underpins the work of the European Foreign Policy Unit (EFPU). On the basis of this research, and as Director of the EFPU, Professor Smith has conducted a study of European Union human rights policies for the European Parliament and served as Co-Chair of the Task Force on EU Prevention of Mass Atrocities. These activities have stimulated and informed policy debate within the EU and improved public understanding of the issues of human rights and mass atrocities across Europe.
Professor Martin Dangerfield's research has focused on subregional cooperation in post-Cold War Europe with special emphasis on interactions with broader European integration processes. Its significance was acknowledged by policy-making communities at national, subregional and EU level. Dangerfield was appointed to advisory roles in events that both debated and informed public policy and enhanced public awareness. These concerned multilateral foreign policy cooperation of new EU members, namely the Visegrad Group (VG), and conception, design and implementation of a major EU initiative — the `Macro-Regional Strategy'. Dangerfield's work has also been cited widely in relevant non-academic publications produced for policy analysis and to deliver recommendations.