Faculty of Humanities
School of Basic Social Sciences
Department of Political Sciences
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
Dr Lorenzo Fioramonti was the lead researcher on a project aimed at a global analysis of the external perceptions of the European Union (EU). The project entailed a two-phase survey of political elites across the globe, including government and international financial institutions (IFIs) decision makers. The core conclusions drawn from the study point to the fact that despite the EU's self-image as a global actor, the European project remains largely unknown to the citizens of non-European countries, whilst such knowledge that does exist, correlates with levels of education. Decision makers in China and Russia view the EU as a collaborative, though weak partner, and South Africans believe it is an ineffective partner. Participation in this project has now culminated in the establishment of a Research Unit on Euro-African Studies in the Department of Political Sciences.
Contact person: Dr L Fioramonti.
A project in which the Department is involved is that of the experiences of female South African peacekeepers in the DRC and Sudan. It is a joint project in which Prof Schoeman and Prof Elrena van der Spuy (UCT) take the lead, and it will be expanded in 2011 to include Dr Louise Olsson of the Folke Bernadotte Academy in Sweden. The publication and dissemination of the initial findings have resulted in cooperation between Prof Schoeman and members of the SANDF in re-evaluating and restructuring peacekeeping training in order to promote gender mainstreaming more effectively
Contact person: Prof MME Schoeman.
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