The National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE) is a multidisciplinary research department at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Activities
Founded in 2000 as the Centre for Research on Europe, a grant from the European Commission in 2002 precipitated the re-branding of the Centre as the NCRE. The NCRE currently is firmly established as the focal point for the study of Europe in New Zealand, attracting visiting academics from all over the world. The primary focus of the NCRE is to foster research on the European Union that is relevant in a regional context. Such research may include European Union development policy in the Pacific, the European Union's identity in the Asia-Pacific region and the external consequences of European enlargement.
In addition to its research focus, the NCRE has also developed significantly in academic outreach activities. While the NCRE is based at the University of Canterbury, it has developed strong ties with other universities and European Studies academics around the country, ensuring that a range of activities and support measures have developed.
The NCRE is a member of a number of academic networks both within New Zealand and internationally. Two of the major networks that the Centre belongs to are also administered by the NCRE office. These are the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence Australasia and European Studies Association New Zealand (EUSA-NZ).
Since 2000, Professor Martin Holland is a director of NCRE. He has been a member of Canterbury's academic staff since 1984. During that time he has developed European Studies, first as a member of the Political Sciences Department and since 2000 as Director of the NCRE.