Nearly six months after her application, Carleton professor Joan DeBardeleban has received the Jean Monnet Chair in the European Union’s Eastern Neighbourhood Relations.
“This is our first Jean Monnet Chair and it’s a really nice recognition of the kind of expertise we’ve built up in the area of European Union studies,” said DeBardeleban, a European and Russian studies professor.
The chairs, which are offered by a section of the European commissions, offer a variety of grants, projects and workshops to encourage learning about European matters, DeBardeleban said.
“It recognizes the extraordinary calibre of work done by [DeBardeleban],” said Carleton president Roseann Runte via email. “The award demonstrates the very high regard in which [she] is held by her colleagues around the world. Her knowledge and expertise are great assets.”
The Jean Monnet teaching chairs focus on European integration, DeBardeleban said, adding that her specific award is focused on eastern European countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Chair holders do a certain amount of teaching in the broader area of European studies. They’re also in charge of organizing other supplemental activities, including conferences or workshops, that are directed at a larger audience, she said.
“It provides funding for many of these supplemental activities that would occur, so it would help expand the kind of reach of our expertise to go beyond the classroom,” DeBardelaban said.
“I didn’t really know when I applied how good my chances were. I was hopeful that I might have a chance,” she said. “Of course I was very pleased when I learned I was successful.”
