Europe’s response room: Navigating the perfect storm after the US Midterms​​​

What happens to Europe when the transatlantic alliance enters turbulence during a global polycrisis?

On 3 November, as Americans head to the polls, Europe's response room looks at the US midterms not as an isolated election, but as a potential shockwave within a 'perfect storm'. While the votes are still being cast, Studio Europa and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) at Maastricht University host an evening of expert analysis and live participation, in which the audience develops strategic choices for Europe.

How could the midterms change the transatlantic relationship? Which scenarios should Europe prepare for? And what should Europe's response be? Europe cannot afford to wait for the final count to start thinking about its answer.

Experts:

  • Yf Reykers – Associate Professor of International Relations at Maastricht University

  • Betto van Waarden – Assistant Professor of History at Maastricht University

  • Mariëlle Wijermars – Associate Professor in Internet Governance at Maastricht University

The event is in English.

Programme:

17:30-18:00 – Doors open

18:00-18:05 – Audience predictions

18:05-18:35 – Expert insights

18:35-19:00 – Q&A

19:00-19:30 – Scenario building session

19:30-19:45 – Presentations

19:45-20:00 – Expert feedback

About 'The Perfect Storm'

The Platform for Outreach and Co-Creation (POCC) connects research at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) with society. It supports researchers in engaging with the public, media, policymakers and external organisations, and in developing meaningful collaborations beyond academia.

Together with regional partners such as Studio Europa, Studium Generale, Tracé, MERIAN, Centre Céramique, De Limburger and Lumière, POCC strengthens the connection between FASoS research and the region, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and societal impact.

"The Perfect Storm" is an event series organised by POCC in cooperation with its partners which explores how various global issues, such as war, climate change, economic uncertainty, migration, and the rapid rise of AI, are becoming increasingly interconnected. Together, they form what is known as a “polycrisis”: multiple crises that reinforce one another. This series illustrates how these developments are linked and why understanding them is important.

Click here for all upcoming events.

Image credits: “Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 (no changes made)