The Croatian Ambassador to the UK is to visit Lancaster University next month to herald the start of a new set of research activities focusing on the European Union.

His Excellency Mr Igor Pokaz will also deliver a Public Lecture on Thursday, February 13, at 7pm in the University Private Dining Room / The Lounge.

The €44,000 grant for the research comes from the European Union to fund EU Studies activities at Lancaster.

The prestigious 'Jean Monnet' award is highly competitive to win especially in the current political climate and Lancaster was the only university in England to receive this particular funding in 2019.

‘Jean Monnet at Lancaster’ will involve a series of seminars, lectures and policy events focusing on EU Studies with the aim of explaining the work of the EU and helping in the process to synchronise EU-related academic activities at Lancaster.

“There is no more important time to study and understand the politics of the European Union” said Dr Martin Steven, a Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion, and the Jean Monnet Academic Co-ordinator. “At a time of uncertainty, it is vitally important that Lancaster remains connected to wider European research networks which have been so important to British universities for decades.”

The Croatian Ambassador will deliver a launch lecture as Croatia now holds the rotating presidency of the European Council. Ambassador Pokaz has been the Croatian Ambassador to Britain since 2017. Prior to this he served as both Ambassador to Russia, from 2012-2015 and Croatia’s Permanent Representative to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), from 2008-2012.

The event is open to all staff, students and the wider Lancaster community.

To book your place, go to www.lancs.ac.uk/eustudies