European Union Centre of Excellence

In times demanding transformative responses to the global challenges of climate change, increasing inequality, and political disorder, the Jean Monnet EU Centre of Excellence at RMIT seeks to reinforce and promote Australia and the EU’s roles as global actors, and to identify and support opportunities for collaboration and partnerships amongst governments, communities, universities and industry.

The EU Centre provides a focal point for teaching, research and outreach activities with the EU, Australia and the Asia Pacific region. It has an interdisciplinary research focus, with staff expertise across the fields of European studies, regional policy, international relations, environmental policy, innovation, and trade. The EU Centre has close links with the EU and its representatives in Australia and facilitates the dissemination of information and knowledge about Europe through its academic research, partnerships, and program of public activities.

The EU Centre is located at RMIT University’s City campus, and is part of the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies’ Social and Global Studies Centre. Its research program includes a clear focus on understanding and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, and it is an active contributor to the RMIT-wide SDGs project. The Centre also supports RMIT staff and students who wish to connect with the EU. For more information on such opportunities, please contact us.

The EU Centre was established in January 2010 to promote a better understanding of the EU and EU-Australia relations. Originally funded through a grant from the External Relations Directorate of the European Commission, the EU Centre of Excellence is now funded primarily through a series of Jean Monnet Activities grants, which promote excellence in teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide.