معرفی
P.J. Stephenson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Maastricht University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS), where he has worked since 2006. He previously served as Director of Studies for the MA European Studies and MA European Public Affairs programs (2020-2023) and as Associate Director of UM's Campus Brussels. He has held significant leadership roles including Director of Studies for the MA in European Studies (2008-2013) and Book Reviews Editor for the Journal of Common Market Studies (2010-2015).
- PhD and M.Phil in European Studies from University of Cambridge
- B.A.(Hons) in European Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London
- Marie Curie Research Fellow at Sciences Po, Paris (2013-2015)
Stephenson's research focuses on the dynamics of the European policy process, particularly the role of EU institutions in evaluation and audit. His work spans three interconnected research streams: transport policy and trans-European networks, French politics and crisis management (particularly the 2003 heatwave), and financial accountability with special attention to the European Court of Auditors. His theoretical interests include framing theory, multi-level governance, and throughput legitimacy in EU policy processes. He approaches policy analysis from both the beginning and end of the policy cycle, examining how policies are framed and how they are evaluated and audited.
His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on EU financial accountability mechanisms, with particular attention to the European Court of Auditors' evolving role. The publications show progression from examining specific policy areas like transport networks to broader institutional analysis of audit and evaluation across EU policy domains. His work increasingly addresses the political dimensions of technical processes like financial accountability, revealing how seemingly neutral audit procedures become politicized arenas.
- Marie Curie Research Fellow (2013-2015)
- Co-editor of Financial Accountability in the European Union (2021)
- Co-editor of European Space Policy (2016)
- Co-author of Analyzing the European Policy Process textbook (2011)
Stephenson has established the EUFINACCO interdisciplinary research network on Financial Accountability in the EU, recognized as a UACES Collaborative Research Network (2015-2018). His professional experience includes five years working on EU cohesion policy as a project development officer before joining Maastricht University, giving him practitioner insights that inform his academic work. His international experience spans multiple European countries where he has lived and worked, including France, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
