Annual Report
2025
Letter from the President
and the Director
Jacint Jordana
Casajuana
President
Laura Chaqués
Bonafont
Director
2025 has been a year of expansion, innovation and renewed ambition for the Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI). Building on the momentum of our twentieth anniversary, celebrated the previous year, we have continued to strengthen IBEI as a leading institution for graduate education, cutting-edge research and public engagement in international affairs.
At the heart of IBEI remains an international and dynamic academic community. During the 2025–2026 academic year, we welcomed almost 200 new master's students from 45 nationalities, joining a vibrant community committed to understanding and addressing today's global challenges. Alongside the continued success of our master's programmes, our growing portfolio of summer schools, executive education initiatives, and professional development activities reflects our commitment to equipping future leaders with the knowledge, analytical skills, and international outlook required in an increasingly complex world.
Research has continued to be one of IBEI's defining strengths. Throughout 2025, our researchers secured major competitive grants at both the European and national levels, launching ambitious projects on topics ranging from European governance and EU foreign policy to artificial intelligence, public institutions, global political economy and international cooperation. These achievements further reinforce IBEI's position as an internationally recognised research centre, capable of addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary societies.
Knowledge transfer and societal engagement have also reached new levels. This year marked the launch of The IBEI World, our new multilingual podcast series designed to bring rigorous academic analysis closer to broader audiences. We also expanded our policy dialogue activities through new Jean Monnet initiatives and strategic collaborations with institutions such as the "la Caixa" Foundation, Casa Amèrica Catalunya, Catalonia International and the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona, alongside numerous public debates, executive programmes and policy-oriented events that strengthened the connection between academic research and public decision-making.
The international dimension of IBEI has continued to expand through new academic networks, strengthened partnerships across Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and Asia, and an increasingly global alumni community. Our students, faculty and graduates remain the Institute's greatest ambassadors, extending IBEI's impact far beyond our classrooms.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication of our faculty, researchers, professional staff, students, alumni, partners and governing bodies. Their commitment, talent and collaborative spirit continue to shape IBEI's identity and drive its success.
As the international landscape becomes increasingly uncertain, marked by geopolitical tensions, technological transformation and global governance challenges, IBEI's mission is more relevant than ever. We remain committed to producing excellent research, educating future generations of international professionals, and fostering informed public debate that contributes to more inclusive, democratic and sustainable global governance.
Looking ahead, we will continue working to strengthen IBEI as an internationally recognised center for advanced research and graduate teaching, one that combines academic rigour, interdisciplinary thinking, and societal impact to better understand, and help shape, the world from Barcelona.
Graduate Programmes
IBEI Master's Programmes
Master’s in
International Development
Master’s in
International Relations
Master’s in
International Security
Master’s in
Public Policy
Erasmus
Mundus Master's
in Program in Public Policy
(Mundus MAPP)
The Master’s degrees are accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education and are awarded by renowned Barcelona universities:
Total Master Students
for the Academic Year 2025-2026
Opening Lecture of the Academic Year 2025-2026
On November 20th, we celebrated the Opening Lecture of the Academic Year 2025-2026, gathering the entire IBEI community, including students, faculty and staff.
Laia Balcells, Gallagher Family Professor of Government at Georgetown University, delivered a lecture titled “The Role of Museums in Post-Conflict Societies: A Comparative Assessment”. Prof. Balcells is also core faculty of the M.A. in Conflict Resolution at Georgetown University, and a faculty affiliate of Gui2de, the BMW Center for German and European Studies, and the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS). Her research focuses on comparative politics and international relations, with a particular emphasis on political violence and civil conflict.
This special event marked the celebration of two decades of academic excellence at IBEI.
MORE INFO
PICTURES
Other Programmes
Alumni
Throughout 2025, strengthening the IBEI alumni association and enhancing its international visibility emerged as core strategic priorities for the institution. This commitment was formally endorsed during the Board of Trustees meeting on February 26th, 2026. A major milestone of the year was the successful completion of the electoral process to renew the association’s governing body, establishing a new Board to lead this upcoming phase of growth.
Strategic Axes for International and Local Action
Governance and Professional Development
To articulate these objectives, plans were made to convene the Alumni Council, the key coordinating body between IBEI and its alumni community. The main purposes of this meeting are:
• To define, prioritize, and schedule the actions of the alumni programme.
• To design specific events linked to professional development.
• To lay the foundation for the creation of a new, exclusive Job Board.
Key Objective 2026-2027: To articulate an interconnected global network under the coordination of the new Board, enhancing employability, international networking, and the return of talent to the institution.
Under the leadership of the new Board and with the aim of boosting the Institute’s global network, three priority axes of geographical action were defined:
Brussels Chapter: Maintaining and revitalizing the community through local activities and milestone institutional actions.
Barcelona Chapter: Strengthening the home network and its roots within the local community.
Washington Chapter: Promoting and expanding IBEI’s presence in the North American hub.
These regional actions are part of a long-term strategy that lays the groundwork for the upcoming global alumni meeting scheduled for 2027.
Alumni Professional Stories
Joaquín
David
Rodríguez Álvarez
Master’s in International Relations, 2007-2008
CEO, Afkar Collective, United Arab Emirates;
and Adjunct Professor Faculty of Law, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
“At first, I thought the programme would be primarily about the curriculum, but it turned out to be so much more – a truly life-changing experience. The IBEI master’s not only provided me with academic knowledge but also transformed my worldview, shaped my career path, and opened up opportunities I hadn’t imagined. It challenged me to grow both professionally and personally, fostering skills and connections that continue to influence my work and life choices today.”
Britt
Melinga
Master’s in International Relations, 2021-2023
Public Affairs Officer, NATO Defense College, Rome (Italy)
“During my Master’s studies, I never imagined I would be working in the Public Affairs Office of the NATO Defense College. Securing the Blue Book traineeship was already an incredible achievement, but joining a NATO entity feels like a dream come true. I truly enjoy contributing to something meaningful and seeing the tangible impact of my work.”
Faculty
& Research
20
Senior Research Associates
1
Research Professors
7
Associate Professors
Faculty
& Researchers
+55
Affiliated faculty
15
Faculty & Research
Visitors to IBEI
6
IBEI Researchers visiting
other institutions
61
Nationalities
22
6
Assistant Professors
10
Senior Research Fellows
& Post-doctoral Fellows
17
Predoctoral Fellows
& Research Assistants
49%
Female
51%
Male
New Research Fellows
Amy Nicole Wonnacott
Predoctoral Fellow
EUFOG Project
Brady Allardice
Predoctoral Fellow
Joan Oró (FI)
Vincenza Falletti
Post-doctoral Fellow,
REPGOV Project, ERC
Eduard Soler i Lecha
Senior Researach Associate
Alex Andrione Moylan
Post-doctoral Fellow
Juan de la Cierva
Timon Forster
Post-doctoral fellow
Humaira Anjum
Predoctoral Fellow
EUFOG Project
Zarlasht Razeq
Post-doctoral fellow
Enea Dufour Careaga
Predoctoral Fellow
COURAGE Project
Anniek Sienot
Predoctoral Fellow,
EUFOG Project
Training & Scientific Events
32
Research
Seminars
6
Workshops
10
Lectures
1
International Conference
Events during 2025
49
Research Highlights
Ministerio de Ciencia, Investigación y Universidades (AEI)
Proyectos de Generación del Conocimiento
A contested European Union
in a fragmenting international order (COURAGE)
COURAGE will contribute to a better understanding of how the EU is rethinking its international role in the face of the geopolitical shift in international politics. Coordinated by Oriol Costa (UAB-IBEI), the project has a multidisciplinary team, including researchers in international relations, European studies, law and economics, which will systematically address three dimensions of how EU foreign policy is responding to these new international realities: politics, policies and partners (the 3Ps).
The following will be explored and explained: a) changes in the degree of politicisation of the debate about the EU’s international role (Politics); b) changes in the policies that shape this role, including the perception that continuity may hide a lack of decision-making capacity (Policies); and c) changes in the EU’s alliances, whether with states, regional or international organisations (Partners). To this end, COURAGE will systematically examine four issue domains: (a) security, defence and arms control; (b) economics, trade and technology; (c) climate, energy and natural resources; (d) human rights and borders.
Knowledge Transfer & Communication
Executive Programmes
Pasantía internacional
con la Escuela de Gobierno
y Políticas Públicas del Perú
Les metròpolis davant
un món inestable: seguretat, resiliència i transformació
Acció en organismes internacionals i europeus
10 - 20 February 2025
44 students / 3 courses
9 - 10 July 2025
24 students
22 October - 27 November 2025
43 students
Seminario de
Políticas Públicas I
PICTURES
Seminario de
Políticas Públicas II
Política e instituciones de la Unión Europea
Jointly organized with Pontificia Universidad
Católica del Perú (PUCP).
Jointly organized with Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona and UN-Habitat
Jointly organized with
In collaboration with:
Social Media & Web
December 2025
850
13.788
5.874
6.861
YouTube
Followers
LinkedIn
Followers
Facebook
Followers
X (ex Twitter)
Followers
December 2025
December 2025
December 2025
December 2025
730
Followers
December 2025
276
BlueSky
Followers
December 2025
Website visits
People who visited the web in 2025
New Instagram
and BlueSky accounts!
269.864
316.629
Knowledge Transfer Highlights
NEW Podcasts Series: The IBEI World
In a changing world full of uncertainties, global challenges are intensifying and testing us like never before. Here, we will explore the tensions, conflicts and alliances that shape the future of humanity. A space to understand the world in all its complexity and to imagine, together, how to face the challenges that await us. Welcome to the IBEI World.
Produced by Minoria Absoluta for IBEI thanks to funding received from CERCA.
EPISODE 2 - ENGLISH
The war that changed Europe
Adam Holesch (IBEI) and Elisabeth Johansson-Nogués (IBEI), delve into the multifaceted effects of the war on EU politics, examining the shifting allegiances and responses of various political parties across member states, as well as the broader implications for the EU’s foreign and security policy.
LISTEN
EPISODE 3 - SPANISH
¿Qué es la diplomacia feminista? ¿Y la antifeminista?
Susana Galán (IBEI) and Diego Badell (UAB-IBEI) examine which elements must be present for a foreign policy to be considered feminist and, conversely, how the concept of anti-feminist diplomacy serves to define the role of certain patriarchal leaderships.
LISTEN
About IBEI
Institutional Development
1. IBEI Celebrates 20 Years of academic excellence
With more than 2,000 students and representation from over 60 countries, we are proud of our global impact and the trajectory established over these two decades.
The year 2024 was a landmark milestone for our institution. To commemorate this 20th anniversary, various special events and activities were organized during 2025, showcasing the growth and strength of our community.
Special Event in Brussels.
IBEI: 20 Years Thinking Globally
IBEI held a public event in Brussels on 27 May at the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the European Union. The gathering brought together members of the IBEI community, alumni, and key stakeholders in European and international affairs.
The event opened with a welcome and presentation by Jacint Jordana, President of IBEI, and Lluís Riera, President of Amics de l’IBEI, who reflected on the institute’s journey over the past two decades and its commitment to academic excellence and global engagement.
This was followed by a thought-provoking roundtable titled “The Challenges of European Security: Adapting to a Changing World”, organised as an opportunity to explore the pressing issues facing European security and the EU’s evolving responses to global threats. Chaired by Laura Chaqués Bonafont, featuring expert panelists including Esther Barbé, Raül Hernández Sagrera and Ángel Manuel Almendros explored the shifting dynamics of global security, the role of the EU in a multipolar world, and the need for adaptable strategies to address emerging threats.
Another key goal of the event was to lay the foundation for the IBEI Alumni Chapter in Brussels, aimed at fostering a strong and active network of professional and personal connections among alumni based in a key hub for international relations and the EU.
IBEI in Figures
Academia
Faculty & Researchers
61
Nationalities of Faculty & Researchers
22
Visiting
Researchers
to IBEI
15
Invited
International
Speakers
79
Training Activitiies and Scientifics
Events
49
Researcher
Clusters
7
Research
Projects
26
European Union
Projects
15
ERC
Projects
3
Barcelona, 2026
© Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI)
Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27 · 08005 Barcelona (Spain)