Is there alignment between the identification with the European project and EU Cohesion Policy? How do implementation, communication, and citizens’ perception of a distinct European identity interact? Professor Markus Höllerer from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business tells us how PERCEIVE is going to address this empirical question and help shed light on unsolved issues. In collaboration with several partner institutions, his team’s research will focus on the role of language and discourse.

What’s your favorite part of the project?

PERCEIVE has set ambitious goals in terms of better understanding the construction of a distinct European identity. Our joint research develops fine-grained conceptual models of how EU regional policy, its implementation and communication, and the identification of citizens with the European project are causally related. As of yet, empirical support for such models is scarce – but could provide important insights into EU integration dynamics, current strengths, and unresolved problems. This is exciting and of utmost importance these days!

Do you have any specific expectation on the project?

We aim at raising awareness about EU integration dynamics and identification with the European project as socially constructed phenomena. The role of casual and strategic use of language (and other discursive modes) in policy communication, program implementation, and reporting on outcomes in various media is crucial in this respect and therefore a prominent part of PERCEIVE. We intend to provide insights that will help politicians and public sector executives communicate the benefits of cohesion policies in a way that enhances integration and identification with the core values of Europe.

Who do you think this project is useful for?

In addition to an academic audience, we specifically target practitioners. It is our hope that the data collected as well as our results and findings will be used in a highly interactive manner. In fact, a central component of PERCEIVE will invite the broader public to experiment with simulation tools in a virtual environment.