The Academic Research Network on EU Agencies & Institutional Innovation (TARN)

The Academic Research Network on EU Agencies & Institutional Innovation (TARN) is a research, information and agenda-setting network informing agency operation within the EU in a transnational setting. It brings together renowned and young academics and practitioners from various disciplines and policy areas and pools knowledge on research and legal provisions, policy documents and information on the practical operation of EU agencies. 

Past, present and future of TARN

In the early days, TARN focused on promoting in-depth multi- and interdisciplinary research on critical concerns about the position and operation of EU agencies and agency-like bodies to integrate isolated disciplinary approaches and encouraging the dialogue between academia and practitioners that is needed to enhance the democratisation of the EU in scholarship and practice.

Since 2015, TARN has promoted high-profile activities to further excellence in EU agencies and executive governance scholarship, including through the organization of conferences, lectures, and dialogues. TARN’s innovative research lines inspired a great number of blog posts and working papers. At the same time, its briefs and dialogue conclusions have set important policy priorities for agency governance in and beyond the EU.

Currently, TARN pursues the following research lines:

  • EU agencies in crisis management;
  • EU agencies in policy implementation;
  • EU agencies as in-betweeners;
  • EU agencies and judicial and extrajudicial review; 
  • EU agencies and soft law.

TARN will strive to maintain a strong partnership between academics and practitioners also in the future, establishing dialogue and expertise for researching and informing EU agency governance.

TARN Young Research Platform Membership

You are welcome to join the TARN Young Researchers Platform. It will allow you to foster networking and cultivate your research pursuits. As a member, you will be part of a dynamic community, collaborating with fellow young researchers from diverse backgrounds, sharing ideas, and contributing to discussions on topics related to EU agencies. Join at the following link: https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jZaHpHRwNJsgjs