Paper Presented at the EUIA Conference in Brussels
On May 21, I took part in the 9th European Union in International Affairs (EUIA) Conference in Brussels. Wolfgang Wagner and I presented our paper “Pacifism, Isolationism or Anti-Americanism? Explaining Public Opposition to Supporting Ukraine against Russia’s War of Aggression” as part of the panel “The Ukraine effect in European security and defence: lessons after three years of war”, organized and chaired by Yf Reykers (Maastricht University), who also served as our discussant. The panel further included contributions from Michelle Haas (Ghent University), Jocelyn Mawdsley (Newcastle University), and Elie Perot (Brussels School of Governance). Thanks to Yf Reykers for the constructive discussant points and to the audience for the superbly well-attended panel.
Register for Exploring Causal Complexity with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), Lugano Summer School 2025
From the course description: Social phenomena rarely have straightforward, single-cause explanations. Instead, outcomes often emerge through intricate combinations of factors, where multiple pathways lead to similar results, and different explanations may be required for success and failure. This interplay of conjunctural causation, equifinality, and causal asymmetry represents the essence of causal complexity – a concept at the heart of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Rooted in set theory and the logic of necessary and sufficient conditions, QCA offers a structured approach to understanding these complexities.
This workshop provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to QCA, emphasizing research design and empirical application. Participants will follow an ideal-typical research process, starting with empirical illustrations of how and why QCA is used in the social sciences. These foundational sessions explore key principles, such as set theory, Boolean algebra, and the calibration of crisp and fuzzy sets, while guiding participants through the protocol for identifying patterns of causal complexity using truth tables and Boolean minimization.
The course progresses step by step, from study design to the interpretation of results, incorporating hands-on exercises with real-world examples. Advanced topics – including multi-method research, robustness tests, and recent developments in QCA – are tailored to participants’ needs and research interests. Opportunities to present individual projects and explore potential applications further enhance the workshop.
Designed to be inclusive, the workshop welcomes participants at all levels – from PhD students to senior researchers – and strikes a balance between theory, practical exercises, and individualized support. A strong emphasis on collaboration and dialogue ensures ample time for consultation, group discussions, and networking. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to apply QCA effectively, providing a robust framework for addressing causal complexity in comparative social science research.
Serving as Committee Chair for the International Studies Association
The President of the International Studies Assocation (ISA), Siba Grovogui, has appointed me to serve as Chair of the ISA Committee on Dissertation Completion Fellowships for a one-year term, until March 2026. I originally joined the committee in 2024, following my appointment by then-ISA President Marijke Breuning. In this role, I am fortunate to work alongside a group of esteemed colleagues: Holley E. Hansen (Oklahoma State University), Sam O. Opondo (Vassar College), Olivia Umurerwa Rutazibwa (London School of Economics and Political Science), and Alexander D. Barder (Florida International University). Together, we aim to do our best to support graduate students through the work of this committee.
Dissertation Completion Fellowships are open to applicants from across the social sciences and humanities working in the field of international studies, broadly conceived. The Committee is a permanent standing committee of the ISA. Its members are appointed by the ISA President and confirmed by the ISA Governing Council. The fellowship program aims to support graduate students in the final stages of writing their dissertation, typically in the last year of their PhD program. While the fellowship is open to all eligible graduate student members of ISA, the committee particularly encourages applications from groups, genders, and nationalities that have been historically under-represented in the field of international studies. Preference will also be given to students without access to other sources of funding to assist with dissertation completion.
