Practical
Monday, 12 May, 2025
- 17:00 until 19:00
VUB Main Campus Etterbeek
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Elsene
Venue: U-Residence (green room)
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Elsene
Venue: U-Residence (green room)
Free of charge
Registration until
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Brussels School of Governance are delighted to invite you to the ERC inaugural lecture by Antonio Calcara. His inaugural lecture will introduce you to the CODE project, present some preliminary findings, and offer reflections on the increasing intertwining of technological change and geopolitical rivalry.
The CODE Project of prof. dr. Calcara
The CODE (Competition in the Digital Era: Geopolitics and Technology in the 21st Century) project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), focuses specifically on the links between geopolitics and technologies. It examines technological competition between China, the United States and Europe in three key sectors: semiconductors, cloud computing and space.
Professor Calcara contends that Europe has been slow to advance in critical technologies but is now implementing significant initiatives to strengthen its position and remain competitive in the global technology race.
We are living in a period of great technological transformation, mainly due to major advances in the field of artificial intelligence. At the same time, technology is at the heart of current geopolitical competition. The US is trying to hamper Chinese growth through sanctions and export control mechanisms, and is making industrial policy plans to promote its competitiveness and innovation in critical technologies. China is responding with a mix of export controls on critical raw materials and massive industrial policy plans in sectors such as semiconductors and green technologies.
Europe, worried about being a "late mover" in critical technologies, is also launching important new initiatives to improve its position and not be left behind in this "technology race".
Join us for this inspiring lecture, followed by a Q&A session and a celebratory reception.
About Antonio Calcara
Dr Antonio Calcara is the Head of the Geopolitics and Technology Programme and Research Professor at CSDS, where he leads the European Research Council project Competition in the Digital Era (CODE): Geopolitics and Technology in the 21st Century. His research has appeared in International Security, Security Studies, Review of International Political Economy, Governance, Journal of European Integrationand European Security. He is the author of “European Defence Decision-Making: Dilemmas of Collaborative Arms Procurement” (Routledge).
Professor Calcara will be joined by his project team, including Riccardo Bosticco, Thao Pham and Mahmoud Javadi.
The world needs you
This initiative is part of VUB's public programme: a programme for everyone who believes that scientific knowledge sharing, critical thinking and dialogue are an important first step to create impact in the world.
As an Urban Engaged University, VUB aims to be a driver of change in the world. With our academic edcuational programmes and innovative research, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and to making a difference locally and globally.
