Newsletter Issue 152
Europainstitut der Universität Basel | Institute for European Global Studies

Editorial

Dear readers,

the past months at the Institute for European Global Studies have been shaped by discussions of the complex challenges facing Europe and the wider world. From geopolitical tensions and climate change to economic uncertainty and technological transformation, these developments underline the need for interdisciplinary analysis and dialogue between academic research and practical experience.

A significant step in this direction is the appointment of Swiss diplomat Pascale Baeriswyl as Permanent Visiting Lecturer at our Institute. Her extensive experience in international diplomacy and multilateral affairs will bring valuable practical perspectives to our teaching and research. We are also delighted to expand our international network through a new Katekisama partnership with the Institute for International Relations at the University of São Paulo, creating new opportunities for academic exchange and collaboration.

Recent months have also seen lively intellectual engagement within our community. At our well-attended PhD Project Lab, doctoral researchers presented their work to an interdisciplinary audience, while more informal gatherings such as the Institute’s summer barbecue fostered conversation and collegial exchange.

Looking ahead, we are particularly excited about the Katekisama Conference on Global Studies” in September, which will bring together scholars from our partner institutions around the world. It follows a period of vibrant scholarly exchange, during which members of the Institute have shared their research through conferences, publications, and public events.

We thank you for your continued interest and hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter.

With warm regards,

Corey Ross and the whole team of the Institute for European Global Studies

News

Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl Becomes Permanent Visiting Lecturer at the Institute for European Global Studies

The Institute for European Global Studies is pleased to welcome Swiss diplomat Pascale Baeriswyl as a permanent visiting lecturer from summer 2026. The former State Secretary and former Ambassador to the United Nations will contribute her extensive experience in international relations and global governance to the Institute.

New Katekisama Partnership with the Institute of International Relations at the University of São Paulo 

The international network of the Institute for European Global Studies continues to grow. With the Institute of International Relations (IRI) at the University of São Paulo, the Institute for European Global Studies has gained a second partner institution in Brazil’s largest city. Students of the MA European Global Studies programme can complete an exchange semester at the IRI. The new partnership further strengthens the international Katekisama network and creates additional opportunities for collaboration in research, teaching, and academic exchange.

Institute for European Global Studies Barbecue 2026 

On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, the Institute for European Global Studies hosted its annual barbecue in the garden of the Sandgrube. Corey Ross, Director of the Institute, welcomed around 70 students, staff members, alumni, and friends of the Institute. He warmly welcomed Pascale Baeriswyl, former Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York, who will teach at the Institute in the coming semester and beyond.

Salon Discussion with Dr. Idriss Jebari (Trinity College Dublin): “Leaping Decolonization: North Africa in the Global 1960s and 1970s”

On 22 April 2026, Dr. Idriss Jebari, Lecturer in Middle East Studies at Trinity College Dublin, presented the research from his new book "Leaping Decolonization: North Africa in the Global 1960s and 1970s" (Cambridge University Press: 2026). The salon discussion attracted a number of researchers from across the Institute’s disciplinary spectrum, leading to a lively exchange of ideas on history, philosophy and politics, as well as methodology and research challenges.

News from our Study Programs

Doctoral Colloquium PhD Project Lab

On 8 May 2026, doctoral students from the University of Basel and the University of Bonn presented their research projects to an interdisciplinary audience of junior and senior researchers at the Institute for European Global Studies.

Working Lunch: Li Ling

On 13 May 2026, we welcomed Dr. Li Ling from the University of Vienna for a guest lecture and book presentation. Based on her recent book, she explored the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party, the state, and the legal system in the People’s Republic of China.

Working Lunch: Alicia Hennig

On 29 April 2026, Dr. Alicia Hennig, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Stockholm, gave a lecture on corporate responsibility in autocratic regimes, with a particular focus on China.

 

Working Lunch: Lasse Herteen

On 11 and 12 March 2026, the Institute was pleased to welcome historian Dr. Lasse Heerten (Bochum/Heidelberg), whose research focuses on imperial Hamburg, port cities in the age of steam, as well as global capitalism in the Anthropocene.

 

Publications

New Special Edition of the E-Journal "Global Europe in a Global Perspective"

The new special issue of the "Basel Papers on Europe in a Global Perspective" brings together leading scholars and practitioners to examine questions of interpretation, legitimacy, and universality of human rights in contemporary global debates. The volume covers topics including climate litigation, the European Court of Human Rights, critiques of universalist claims and double standards, as well as authoritarian human rights narratives in China. The issue is edited by Christoph Spenlé and Carl Jauslin.

Annual Report 2025

The 2025 Annual Report is now available. Discover highlights from the Institute’s research, teaching, publications, events, and international partnerships.

Christa Tobler in "Europarecht"

Christa Tobler has published the article “The Relevance and Reach of European Law-Conforming Interpretation in Switzerland” in a special issue of the journal Europarecht (EuR). The article was published on 27 May 2026.

"Jusletter" Co-Authorship

Christa Tobler co-authored an article in the legal journal "Jusletter" (18 May 2026). The authors argue that the Bilaterals III agreements do not conflict with the Swiss Constitution’s immigration provision.

Media Coverage

Media Appearances by Ralph Weber

Numerous regional and national media outlets featured Ralph Weber as an expert on Chinese politics and international affairs. He was widely quoted and interviewed during the Trump–Xi summit. His analyses appeared in a range of media outlets, including a video interview on ORF’s "ZiB 2", and covered topics such as China–US relations, trade, Iran, and Taiwan. The links below provide an overview of his recent media appearances:


27 April 2026, Podcast Grüezi Amerika. Views from the Sister Republic
12 May 2026, ORF "ZiB 2", Tamedia, SRF, Nau.ch, Der Standard, Die Presse, Kronen Zeitung, oe24, Oberösterreichische Nachrichten, Tribune de Genève, 24 heures

Interviews with Experts from the Europainstitut

Several media outlets featured experts from the Institute for European Global Studies on current affairs. Christa Tobler commented on EU–Swiss relations, Filip Jirouš analysed China’s growing global influence and relations between Czechia, China and Taiwan, while Corey Ross discussed the history of water, power, and empire in the colonial world.

12 June 2026, 3sat (Tobler)
12 June 2026, TeleZ (Tobler)
3 June 2026, Czech TV Channel ČT24 (Jirouš)
23 May 2026, Pravda (Jirouš)
22 May 2026, SRF (Tobler)
18 May 2026, Blue History Talks (Ross)
18 May 2026, "Off the Road" Podcast (Ross)

Personalia

Deputy Managing Director

Lars Kury joined the Institute’s management team as Deputy Managing Director in June 2026. Previously, he worked as a research associate at the Institute specialising in Geopolitics, Capitalism and Infrastructure Studies.

Doctoral Student (SNSF)

Sebastian Held joined the Institute in April 2026 as a new SNSF-funded doctoral researcher in European Law. Before starting his PhD, he was an MA European Global Studies student and student assistant at the Institute. His research focuses on the enforcement of Swiss–EU bilateral law and the protection of individual rights.

Administrative Assistant

Jonas Einsiedler rejoined the Institute in June 2026 to support the Scientific Management Team. He completed the MA European Global Studies programme in 2025 and previously worked at the Institute as a Student Assistant and in Student Coordination. His academic interests include the Russian Shadow Fleet and contemporary political affairs.

Researchers from the Europainstitut at Conferences

Researchers from the Europainstitut took part in conferences, specialist meetings and discussion panels. Find a selection here:

Ralph Weber held a keynote lecture at the EERA Summer School 2026 in Chemnitz, hosted by EERA and Chemnitz University of Technology.

Christa Tobler spoke at several academic and professional events, including the launch conference of the Common Market Law Review, a conference on the role of the CJEU in constitutional practice at the University of Lucerne, and an ERA training course on EU anti-discrimination law in Utrecht.

Christa Tobler and Sebastian Held participated in the annual BENEFRI Conference on “Bilaterals III and the Free Movement of Persons” at the University of Fribourg. Tobler presented on the safeguard clause and its implementation in Swiss law.

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