Prof. Ramūnas Vilpišauskas
Jean Monnet Chair Professor
Department
Center of Political Economy
Department of International Relations
Center of European Studies
Public Administration and Policy Analysis Center
Research areas
European Studies
Political Economy
International Relations
Public Administration
Additional info
ramunas.vilpisauskas@tspmi.vu.lt
Ramūnas Vilpišauskas is a professor at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University (IIRPS VU), where he has been teaching since 1996. Since October 2020, he holds a distinctive position of Jean Monnet Chair. Between 2009 and 2019 prof. Vilpišauskas was the director of the IIRPS VU. In 2002-2004 prof. R. Vilpišauskas was also teaching EU-related courses and conducting research abroad as a visiting fellow in Global Affairs Institute at Syracuse University (the USA), Carleton University (Canada).
He developed relevant practical experience in public policy decision analysis and institutional cooperation and coordination working as a Chief Economic and Social Policy Advisor to the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus during his second term in 2004-2009 (for three years in 2006-2009 also working as a Chief of staff of the President). In addition, professor has been providing public policy expertise for various institutional commissions and advisory bodies of Lithuania and the EU. He has also contributed to the preparation of the main European strategic documents of Lithuania (Lithuania’s European Policy Strategy prepared by the Strategic Studies Center, Lithuanian European Policy Guidelines for 2008-2013, Guidelines for increasing Lithuania’s influence and competitiveness in the European Union, commissioned by the Prime Minister’s Office in 2010, concept paper for the working group of the Parliamentary Committees of European Affairs and Foreign Affairs on the future of the EU in 2017, and others).
Ramūnas Vilpišauskas graduated from Vilnius University (BA, Faculty of Economics), Institute of International Relations and Political Science (MA and PhD), Lancaster University (MA). He studied or trained at the University of Oslo (Norway), the European University Institute (Italy), the University of Columbia (USA) (Fulbright Scholarship), and other foreign higher education institutions. The professor received the Swedish Institute’s Management Program Diploma (program for Strategic and Executive Management and Leadership Skills Development), and Carleton University’s International Trade Policy and Negotiation Certificate.
Membership of working groups, councils, etc. within Vilnius University and IIRPS VU
Department of International Relations; Center of European Studies; Public Administration and Policy Analysis Center; Doctoral Studies Committee; Public Policy Analysis (MA) Programme Committee.
Membership of professional and advisory bodies
The member of the Lithuania’s State Progress Council (2010-2016, 2021-currently);
The member of the Academic Advisory Board of the Institut für Europäische Politik, Berlin (since 2022);
The member of the Advisory board of Centrum Balticum, Turku (since 2016);
Member of the following editorial/advisory boards: Canadian Journal of European and Russian Studies (Centre for European Studies at Carleton University) (since 2019), Journal of Politics and Society in the Baltic Sea Region (University of Tartu Press) (since 2012), Journal of Baltic Studies (Taylor & Francis) (since 2010);
The member of the European Union Studies Association (USA) and European Community Studies Association-Canada;
The former member of the Sunset Commission of the Government of Lithuania (2009-2016);
The former President of the Lithuanian Political Science association (2003-2004);
The former member of the Board of the Open Society Foundation, Lithuania (2003-2004);
Awards and fellowships
- Jean Monnet Chair for Teaching, Researching and Debating EU issues, 2020-2023;
- Award of the President of Lithuania for the personal contribution to the Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council, 2013.12.20;
- Award of the Lithuanian Political Science Association for the Best Publication of Political Science in Lithuania, 2013;
- The Medal of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the contribution of Lithuania’s accession into the EU and NATO, 2004.07.06;
- The Cross of the Knight of the Order for the outstanding public service contributing to Lithuania’s accession into the EU, 2004.04.30;
- The Award of the President of Lithuania for the personal input into the development of the Transatlantic relations of Lithuania, 2002.11.23
- Award of the Lithuanian Political Science Association for the Best Publication of Political Science in Lithuania, 2002;
- University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES, UK) Scholarship for Young Scholar to participate in the Journal of Common Market Studies 40th Anniversary conference “Reassessing the Fundamentals: Integration in an Expanding EU”, 11-13 April, 2002, EUI;
- Vilnius University Rector Award for the Academic achievements in year 2001;
- Award of the Lithuanian Political Science Association for the Best Publication of Political Science in Lithuania, 2000;
- European University Institute award to conduct research on integration of Baltic States into the EU, 1999;
- Fulbright Scholarship, 1998-1999;
- Tempus mobility grant to conduct research in Thames Valley University, 1998;
- Award of the Lithuanian Political Science Association for the Best Publication of Political Science in Lithuania, 1997;
- Eurofaculty research grant to conduct research in Aarhus university, 1997;
- Vilnius university doctoral fellowship, 1996-2000;
- NATO – EAPC Research Fellowship, 1998-2000;
- Civic Education Project scholarship (Soros foundation), 1996-1998;
- British Government Chevening Scholarship, 1995-1996;
- Mahindra Naraine Prize for the Best MA student of the 1995-1996 academic year, Lancaster University, 1996;
- Award for the excellent academic results, Faculty of Economics, Vilnius University, 1995;
- Norwegian Government Fellowship, 1994.
Research projects and grants
- 2024-2026 (ongoing) “Invigorating Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy for a Resilient Europe (InvigoratEU)“[„ES plėtros ir kaimynystės politikos stiprinimas siekiant atsparios Europos (InvigoratEU)”] (funded by the European Union).
- 2023-2026 (ongoing) “Lithuanian authorities’ response to the polycrisis 2021-2025 (LIVIA)” [„Lietuvos valdžios institucijų atsakas į daugialypę krizę 2021–2025 m. laikotarpiu (LIVIA)”] (funded by Research Council of Lithuania);
- 2021-2022 senior researcher in a project “Resilience of welfare state institutions in Lithuania: the influence of significant events on adapting to systemic threats during 2004–2020” [„Gerovės valstybės institucijų atsparumas Lietuvoje: reikšmingų įvykių įtaka prisitaikymui prie sisteminių grėsmių 2004–2020 m.”] (funded by Research Council of Lithuania);
- 2020-2023 Jean Monnet Chair professor projekte “Teaching, researching and debating contemporary European issues” (TRENDS) (with the support of Erasmus+ programme of the European Union);
- 2020-2021 senior researcher in a project “Norway-Baltic Research Network. Critical Infrastructure: Institutional Coordination and Policy Preferences“ (funded by Bilateral Cooperation Fund of the European Economic Area of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and Norway Grants 2014-2021);
- 2020 senior researcher in a project “Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lithuania and other EU Member States: an Impact on Public Policy and the Management of the Emergency Situation (COPOVAL)” [„Lietuvos ir kitų ES šalių narių atsakas į COVID-19 pandemiją: poveikis viešajai politikai ir ekstremalios situacijos valdymas”] (funded by Research Council of Lithuania);
- 2016-2019 “Horizon 2020” project on reforms in Eastern partnership countries (EU-STRAT, coordinator of a working package on strategies of external actors towards EaP countries);
- 2017-2019 senior senior researcher in a project “Negotiating Brexit” (funded by British Economic and Social Research Council);
- 2014-2015 senior researcher in a project “Priorities of the Lithuanian Government: Process of Implementation and the Results” [„Lietuvos Vyriausybės veiklos prioritetai: įgyvendinimo procesas ir rezultatai”] (funded by Research Council of Lithuania).
Selected conference papers
- “Flexibility as small state strategy: explaining Lithuania’s adjustment successes” (co-author), paper presented at the biennial conference of the European Union Studies Association (EUSA), Denver, May 9-11, 2019;
- “Susceptibility of Ukrainian and Belorussian actors to external actors’ approaches: puzzling patterns of transition” (co-author), paper presented at the biennial conference of the European Union Studies Association (EUSA), Denver, May 9-11, 2019;
- “Lithuania’s position in Brexit negotiations”, presentation at the conference ESRC funded project (UK in the changing Europe) Negotiating Brexit: Where now?, London: British Academy, October 23, 2018;
- “Trade and economic cooperation dynamics of the associated countries: results, trends and outlook”, presentation at the 2nd Association Exchange Forum, Kiev, September 19-21, 2018;
- “Markets, money and welfare”, presentation at the conference of the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute Nordic-Baltic visions for Europe: does the EU unite or divide the Nordic-Baltic region?, Tallinn, September 7, 2018.
Courses taught
Political economy of European integration
Emerging regions of the world
Global issues and the EU
EU public policies
Contemporary challenges of the EU
Political economy
Research interests
European economic and political integration
Regionalism
International political economy
Analysis of changes in public policy and the role of the state
Institutional and economic reforms
Publications
Vilpišauskas, R., “Lithuania: Executive Dominance in the Context of Usual Confrontational Politics”, in Lynggaard, K., Jensen, M. D., Kluth, M. (eds.), Governments’ Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe, Palgrave Macmillan, 2022, pp. 195-207, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14145-4_17.
Vilpišauskas, R., “Lithuania’s Approach: Push Back Autocrats and Engage Democratic Activists”, in Keading, M., Pollack, J., Schmidt, P. (eds.), Russia and the Future of Europe. Views from Capitals, Springer, 2022, pp. 67-70, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95648-6_17.
Vilpišauskas, R., “Perceptions of European solidarity in Lithuania – plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose?”, in Keading, M., Pollack, J., Schmidt, P. (eds.), European Solidarity in Action and the Future of Europe. Views from Capitals, Springer, 2022, pp. 71-74, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86537-5_17.
Kuokštis, V., Vilpišauskas, R., „Economic Adaptability in the Absence of Democratic Corporatism: Explaining Lithuania’s Export Performance”, Politologija, 2022, vol. 108, no. 4, pp. 116-157, https://doi.org/10.15388/Polit.2022.108.4.
Vilpišauskas, R., “The Baltic States in the Economic and Monetary Union: Standing in the Shadow of Germany or Helping to Counterbalance ‘the South’”?, German Politics, 2022, vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 263-280, https://doi.org/10.1080/09644008.2021.2002848.
Patkauskaitė-Tiuchtienė, I., Bortkevičiūtė, R., Nakrošis, V., Vilpišauskas, R. “The Impact of Significant Events on Public Policy and Institutional Change: Towards Research Agenda”, Politologija, 2022, vol. 105, No. 2, pp. 8-52, https://doi.org/10.15388/Polit.2022.105.1.
