The EU brings together people from 27 countries—each with its own history, traditions, and ways of thinking. But how do these differences play out inside the institutions that run the Union, and how do they resonate beyond them? Research in cross-cultural studies has long shown that cultural considerations influence communication, management, and teamwork within organizations. EUROTYPES investigates whether the same is true for EU institutions and public opinion—and if so, how these dynamics shape the way the EU works in practice. 

Cultural perceptions are a sensitive issue because they are closely linked to stereotypes—including negative and politically charged ones (e.g. the 'lazy Greeks', the 'stingy Dutch' etc). In the EU context, such stereotypes can fuel inter-state tensions, create intra-institutional friction, and shape public narratives across the Member States. While existing research has examined how stereotypes appear in political rhetoric and media discourse, their influence on public opinion or the everyday interactions of national and EU officials remains largely unexplored. 

EUROTYPES examines how citizens, civil servants and political elites in Brussels and across Member States perceive different nationalities and regions In the EU—and whether these cultural perceptions influence how they communicate, negotiate, or make decisions. 

Our research looks beyond political rhetoric to uncover the actual prevalence and impact of cultural perceptions in EU governance. We aim to: 

EUROTYPES aims to open an honest conversation about the cultural undercurrents of European integration—a conversation rarely held openly, yet essential for understanding how the EU works every day. 

Team Members: