Integration Fund - Matthias Matthijs
Academic Profile and Reflections on the SAIS Europe Integration Fund
Matthias Matthijs
Dean Acheson Associate Professor of International Political Economy
Current Role and Background:
Professor Matthias Matthijs holds the Dean Acheson Chair of International Political Economy at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC. He also serves as the Faculty Lead for the Europe and Eurasia Focus Area. A SAIS alumnus, he studied at the SAIS Europe Bologna Center in 2001-02 before completing his M.A. in Washington in 2003. He earned his Ph.D. in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University in 2008. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations and previously served as Chair of the European Union Studies Association (2019-2021).
Participation in the SAIS Europe Integration Fund
During his sabbatical in the 2023-24 academic year, Professor Matthijs became one of the first faculty members to take advantage of the SAIS Europe Integration Fund. Through this initiative, he spent two weeks in Bologna in January and February 2024. This short but immersive experience proved invaluable, reinforcing the importance of engaging directly with European perspectives. As a scholar focused on European political economy and geoeconomics, he emphasized the distinction between discussing Europe with those working on it from a distance versus engaging in conversations with people living and working in Europe itself.
Academic and Community Engagement in Bologna
Professor Matthijs made the most of his two weeks in Bologna, participating in a range of academic and community activities:
- Faculty and Student Engagement: He met individually with faculty members and students to discuss European affairs, exchange ideas, and brainstorm research questions. These conversations were particularly valuable as he worked on his forthcoming book, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025 and publication in 2026.
- Guest Lectures: He was a guest speaker in three different courses:
- Scenarios for the Future of Europe (Michael Leigh)
- Law and Institutions of the European Union (Justin O. Frosini)
- Intellectuals and Politics (Mark Gilbert)
- BIPR Seminar: He hosted a seminar for the SAIS Europe community on Single Market Power: How Europe Surpassed America, where he explored the evolution of the European single market, its role in shaping global economic governance, and its increasing geopolitical influence.
- SAIS Europe Leadership Transition: His visit coincided with the formal installation of Rector and Vice Dean Renaud Dehousse, allowing him to attend and witness the strategic direction of SAIS Europe firsthand.
Benefits of Time at SAIS Europe
Reflecting on his experience, Professor Matthijs highlighted several key advantages of spending time at SAIS Europe:
- Strengthening Research and Teaching: Exposure to different perspectives challenged and refined his ideas. Engaging with students in a European setting was particularly rewarding, as they provided diverse viewpoints on European development, sometimes agreeing, sometimes challenging his arguments, which forced him to refine his reasoning.
- Enhancing Faculty Collaboration: For faculty based in Washington, DC, SAIS Europe can feel distant. However, increased faculty exchanges between DC and Bologna would foster deeper academic collaboration and integration. The more SAIS DC faculty visit Bologna, the stronger the ties between the two campuses.
- Unique Student Experience: The academic environment at SAIS Europe differs significantly from that in Washington. In Bologna, students are deeply engaged in their academic work, focusing on learning and intellectual debate. In contrast, SAIS DC students are often highly career-driven, with networking and professional development shaping much of their experience. This creates a different classroom dynamic, making SAIS Europe an ideal setting for immersive teaching and mentorship.
- Work-Life Balance and Quality of Life: Bologna offers a more balanced approach to academic life. While faculty and students work rigorously, the environment is less transactional than in Washington. Conversations are more focused on intellectual inquiry rather than career advancement, making for a uniquely enriching teaching and research atmosphere.
- Logistical Ease: Unlike other international postings, SAIS Europe is seamlessly integrated into the broader Johns Hopkins system. Faculty visiting Bologna benefit from an established infrastructure - easy access to university resources, library services, and administrative support. Housing assistance ensures a smooth transition, making it an attractive option for faculty looking to spend extended time abroad.
Recommendations for Other SAIS Faculty
Professor Matthijs strongly recommends that other SAIS faculty take advantage of the SAIS Europe Integration Fund, ideally for a semester or a full academic year.
For scholars working on European affairs, the Mediterranean, North Africa, or the Middle East, time spent at SAIS Europe provides invaluable exposure to regional perspectives that are difficult to fully grasp from Washington. Additionally, for faculty able to bring their families, Bologna offers a high quality of life, making it an attractive destination for an extended academic engagement.
Conclusion
Professor Matthijs' experience at SAIS Europe reaffirmed the importance of transatlantic faculty exchanges and underscored the benefits of greater integration between SAIS DC and Bologna. The SAIS Europe Integration Fund provides a unique opportunity for faculty to engage with European scholars and students, strengthen their research, and contribute to a truly global academic community. He strongly encourages his colleagues to take advantage of this initiative, recognizing that a semester or year in Bologna offers an unparalleled opportunity for academic growth and collaboration.
