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King’s College London’s School for Government, in collaboration with the Policy Institute and the Greek think tank ETERON Institute for Research and Social Change, has announced the launch of a new research project entitled Reclaiming Europe’s Industrial Policy Through Just Taxation and Innovation. The initiative seeks to advance knowledge on the intersection of industrial policy and fair taxation, building on recommendations from reports by Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta as well as the UK’s "Invest 2035" strategy.

Researchers with expertise in Economics, Political Economy, or Political Theory are invited to apply for a grant of €5,000. Two successful candidates will work alongside Dr Georgios Samaras, Lecturer in the School for Government within the Policy Institute, to define research objectives and methodology, with the ultimate aim of producing a publication in an academic journal. Applicants are requested to submit a covering letter that details their relevant experience, specifies their primary field of interest, and outlines how their work might contribute to academic discussions and inform policy debates on the future competitiveness of the European Union.

A key focus of the project is a critical analysis of the Draghi report on EU competitiveness. This analysis will examine the report’s implications for public spending and the broader competitive landscape within the European Union, taking into account recent geopolitical shifts and the evolving transatlantic political climate.

Dr Georgios Samaras, Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the International School for Government and principal investigator on the project, commented that the initiative offers a significant opportunity for researchers across various disciplines to contribute to high-quality academic outputs.

Christos Papagiannis, Director of ETERON, observed that the challenges confronting Greece, the United Kingdom, and Europe require unprecedented collaboration. He stressed that universities and research organisations have a responsibility to foster such partnerships and to contribute realistic, ambitious, and equitable solutions.

ENA – Institute for Alternative Policies will also support the project, and the involved organisations welcome additional collaboration from any entity wishing to engage—either financially or through research contributions.

Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline and demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement. Proficiency in quantitative analysis is advantageous, though candidates with substantial theoretical expertise and a robust portfolio of peer-reviewed research will also be considered. The role offers a total of 120 hours, with a minimum of 40 hours to be completed by 31 July 2025.

For further information or to submit an application, interested parties are invited to apply via KTB and contact Dr Georgios Samaras at georgios.samaras@kcl.ac.uk.