COVID-19 and our decision on the 10th Biennial SGEU Conference

With much regret, ECPR’s Standing Group on the EU have decided – in light of the developing COVID-19 situation – to cancel the 10th Biennial SGEU Conference that was due to be held at Luiss University in Rome from 4–6 June.

The Group has not arrived at this decision lightly, taking into account all the time and energy invested by more than 600 colleagues who proposed papers, by the Section Chairs who selected Papers and created Panels, and by those at Luiss University and ECPR headquarters who worked hard on the logistics and administration. 

However, we must recognise the paramount importance of public health, the need to comply with decisions by the authorities, and the practical difficulties in terms of international travel. Under these extraordinary circumstances, it is impossible to plan ahead even if, as we all hope, the situation will have improved in June. We hope that by announcing this decision now, we can minimise the inconvenience to those who had planned to attend.  

Participants who have already registered will of course receive a full refund of the fees paid. Participants have been emailed directly about this. 

ECPR, SGEU and Luiss University remain committed to holding the 10th Biennial SGEU Conference at a later date.

We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will announce revised dates for the conference as soon as possible. This may be either in the autumn of this year or in 2021, depending on the resolution of the crisis and the assurance that all members of our community will be able to travel and gather safely. 

A decision on whether to maintain the existing Paper selection or to issue a new call for Papers will also be made in due course.