RESEARCH PORTFOLIO RESEARCH - STRATEGIC GOALS

The Strategic Plan 2016-2020 described a number of research objectives:

• Successful completion of at least 15 PhDs projects (i.e. an average of three per year) and launching of at least 25 PhD projects (of which ten funded by their own resources)

In 2020,the IES initiated several new PhD projects (of which two are funded on own resources), and was able to deliver five doctoral diplomas.

• Strengthening IES involvement in national and international research networks

One of the new initiatives in 2020 was the creation of a Japan Programme. Set up with the support of the Japan Foundation, the Programme aims to enhance awareness of Japan’s foreign and security policy, steer the European debate on current security issues in East Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region, as well as to promote Japan’s cooperation with the EU and NATO. The Japan Programme complemented the KF-VUB Korea Chair launched in 2017. Also new in 2020 were the IES’ plans to kick off a Winter School on EU Policy Making, an online programme focusing on digital rights that would be held for the first time in February 2021. Moreover, in 2020 the IES fur ther elaborated its existing networks through its collaboration with UNU-CRIS, the organisation of joint events with various partner organisations, and its involvement in numerous EU projects with various consortia (see Externally Funded Projects section for more details).

• Consolidation and strengthening of academic focus areas with thorough review of existing cluster structure

In 2012, the IES was restructured into four clusters and one Educational Development Unit. It continued to support these clusters throughout 2020 by means of annual PhD calls. In the third quarter of 2020, the four clusters were restructured into four new research centres, in the context of the closer collaboration with Vesalius College: Environment, Economy and Energy; Migration, Diversity and Justice; Security, Diplomacy and Strategy; and Digitalisation, Democracy and Innovation.

• Implementation and further development of Guidelines for IES Academic Staff (including guidelines for PhD projects, cluster arrangements at the IES, benchmarking approach for postdoctoral staff)

The guidelines were already finalised in 2012. Benchmark discussions with senior research staff are done on an annual basis, whilst PhD progress is monitored by tailored supervisory committees and relevant faculty authorities. The newly established Research Council became the forum for developing and communicating research-related academic policy.