European inequalities across borders: dividing and integrating processes

The workshop focuses on the persistent and complex inequalities across European borders, particularly in cross-border and peripheral regions. These inequalities, intensified by recent political, ecological, and economic crises, challenge the European Union’s long-term and mantra-like objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion. Contributions are invited to explore the paradox of integrating and dividing processes, examining the socio-economic, spatial, and political dynamics at play. Contributions should address the multifaceted nature of inequalities, considering broader measures of well-being and convergence beyond traditional econometric indicators. We invite contributions from various disciplines such as sociology, geography, political science, planning, and regional studies on – but not limited to – the following questions: 

• How have dimensions of inequalities across borders developed in Europe?
• How do inequalities in cross-border regions differ from national or European inequalities?
• What are the social, spatial, economic, political, and historical processes that contribute to division or integration in cross-border contexts and other peripheral regions?
• How can situated and comparative perspectives contribute to understanding inequalities across borders from a European perspective?

The workshop is part of a series of the ‘Excellence Lab Europe’ and is funded by the Cluster for European Research at Saarland University, in cooperation with the UniGR-Center for Border Studies. The workshop will take place from October 8 - 11, 2025 at Villa Vigoni (German-Italian Center for European Dialogue) on Lake Como in Italy. Participation is free of charge. Accommodation and parts of the travel costs for participants will be covered. There will be the possibility to publish the results of the workshop in an edited volume. 

https://www.uni-saarland.de/fileadmin/upload/einrichtung/ceus/Forschung/Exzellenzlabor_Europa/Exzellenzlabor_2025/CfP_Exzellenzlabor_2025.pdf

We look forward to the submission of abstracts (500 words) by March 31, 2025, via email to ulla.connor@uni-saarland.deand carola.fricke@uni-saarland.de.