On December 9th, 2025 the UC Berkeley Institute of European Studies hosted its annual Undergraduate Research Conference, bringing together students, faculty, and external experts. The day-long research symposium, entitled “Sovereignty and Identity in the Contemporary European Context”, examined Europe’s political, historical, and global transformation inviting dialogues on the question of identity, governance, neutrality, and Europe’s evolving role in global affairs.
The conference opened with Panel I: European Identity and Belonging, chaired by UC Berkeley Professor of Global Studies Richard Aschroft and welcomed by IES undergraduate research assistants (URAPs) and conference co-chairs Pedro Ezquer, Victoria Gutanu, and Amélia Ávila. This panel explored the construction and contestation of belonging within a multitude of European political contexts. Themes of identity, inclusivity, and political mobilization were covered across the various presentations. A highlighted presentation analyzed Portugal’s changing political environment, showcasing their shift towards populism following the emergence of the far-right party Chega within the context of the aftermath of the Carnation Revolution. Despite Portugal’s overall economic progress, the study showed how populist mobilization was fueled by economic discontent, feelings of insecurity, and anti-establishment rhetoric. The panel concluded with a commentary from Brithe Panhans, Head of Unit at the European Commission, who contextualized the student research within current EU policy discussion.
The focus shifted to the longer-term historical processes influencing European and global societies in Panel II: Historical Legacies and Transformation, chaired byGerman Historical Institute Deputy Director Isabel Richter. The topics covered in the presentations ranged from Cold War diplomacy to colonial legacies and nation-building. In order to convey how neutrality was actively negotiated through international sporting diplomacy, the first presentation looked at Finland’s Paasikivi-Kekkonen Doctrine through the lens of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Comparatively, the second presentation analyzed the long-term societal consequences of British colonial misclassification and the Indian jati system to reassess the debates surrounding the German Sonderweg and Prussian influence on German state formation. The panel concluded with a discussion led by Dr. Viola Alianov-Rautenberg, Research Fellow at the German Historical Institute.
The final session, Panel III: Europe as a Global Political Actor, examined Europe’s geopolitical stances and external engagement. The panel, chaired by Associate Professor Scott Siegel, examined European intervention and sovereignty through the case studies of Guatemala, Armenia, and Central Asia.Presenters also addressed Nordic security realignments, examining how Finland and Sweden’s shift toward NATO membership reshaped the European security architecture.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from IES Associate Director Akasemi Newsome, highlighting undergraduate scholarship on Europe and reaffirming the Institute’s dedication to interdisciplinary research and public-facing dialogue. Overall, the symposium provided a platform engaging undergraduate researchers with faculty and professionals on some of Europe's most pressing contemporary and historical challenges.
Conference Co-Organizers: Pedro Ezquer Parejo, Victoria Gutanu, and Amelia Avila
Conference Presenters: Ryley Barry, Grace Talty, Lilia Maturo, Malin Petersson, Marianne Huesca, Amelia Avila, and Ria Sudhir
IES URAP Editor-in-Chief: Shelby Coleman
IES URAP Research Assistants: Elodie Szlasa, Grace Talty, Jossen Garcia, Katherine James, Luna Valayannopoulos, Mahro Hashimi, Neha Gottimukkala, Sinem Erdem, Soliana Samson, and Steve Chiu