IDEAs is the interdepartmental and interdisciplinary programme at the Bruges campus, which aims to broaden students’ intellectual horizons and develop their critical thinking skills regarding European integration, the evolution of European societies and Europe’s relationship with the world.

Within the Research Seminar on EU Careers, led by Professor Georgakakis, Lola Avril and Christian Wellenburg-Smidt, students undertook training in interdisciplinary research and produced an initial research project drawing on the field of ‘EU personnel and professional studies’ (Georgakakis, Westlake 2024) in order to better understand how the institutions function, whilst also exploring their potential future professional environment. 

The students worked on a professional group of their choice, some using qualitative methods and others quantitative ones, ensuring a wide variety of research approaches. This selection was made on the basis of the results obtained and the diversity of the topics. The papers have been lightly edited with the authors’ permission, to whom we extend our thanks.

Every year, these papers contribute original insights to our common knowledge, in every sense of the word: first-hand data and innovative findings. Although they present only provisional findings, these papers will undoubtedly be of great use to a wide range of stakeholders: students, as well as professionals and researchers, for whom they will provide food for thought and, no doubt, inspire further research. It is in this spirit that they should be read.