Call for the A.G. Leventis Research Innovation Programme on Cyprus 2019

Judicial independence is a cornerstone of modern democracy. This independence, though, can complicate efforts to change the judicial system even when reform is badly needed.  Court systems in Cyprus and Greece are among the least efficient in the European Union, though they reflect different judicial traditions. According to comparative EU data, it takes a very long time to resolve civil, commercial and administrative cases in these two countries.  Moreover, in recent times, judiciaries have come under scrutiny by international monitoring bodies, such as the Council of Europe, and domestic actors, like the Attorney General, for conflicts of interest.  Responding to these challenges, the executive and the judiciary have undertaken efforts to reform the court system. We invite proposals that will examine continuity and change in the Cyprus and Greece judiciaries, analysing the factors impacting on performance, facilitating and inhibiting the reform of the court systems, and placing these in an internationally comparative perspective.

Like other states, Cyprus faces a number of challenges arising from the increased flow of migrants.  Yet, there is as yet limited research on the public policy implications of these challenges.  There are tensions noted in terms of the processing of migrants and ethnic minorities face risks of social exclusion and restrictions on their economic (labour market) and political participation, as well as their access to public services.  We seek research that will explore such features and their impacts on the immigrant communities in Cyprus.  We welcome applications within different disciplines and methodological approaches.  The research should have clear policy relevance. 

Youth is undoubtedly a key component in the conduct of politics in Cyprus, yet surprisingly it has been absent in specialised academic study. We know little about young people as political actors in Cyprus, both on the formal and informal level of politics. We know far less about intersectional experiences of the realm of the political, especially across lines of gender, ethnic, and class differences as well as differences in citizenship status and minority belonging. Proposals here might address questions such as: (1) What forms of politics do young people in Cyprus engage with and what forms of politics do they reject, and why?; (2) In what ways does youth political engagement differ between the two communities on the island?; (3) What kind of alternative politics can we envision for the future, based on indications from past and recent youth political engagement?; (4) How does the Cyprus conflict figure in formal and informal youth politics?; (5) How do young people experience the transition from civic education in school to civic participation in the public sphere?; and (6) What forms of inclusion and exclusion, e.g. of gender and sexual difference, or of migrant and minority groups structure youth politics.  This list is not however intended to be exhaustive.