Purpose and structure of the alumni network

The overarching aim of the Alumni Network is to connect Fellows and alumni across borders, disciplines and backgrounds so that they can collectively shape debates about the ongoing challenges to democratic principles and rule of law backsliding and contribute to developing solutions at the European level.

The Network aspires to become a long-term sustainable and alumni-led format for the existing community of re:constitution alumni and future Fellows. It aims to extend the benefits and achievements of the re:constitution programme beyond the duration of a single cohort by sustaining a transdisciplinary pan-European network of experts, both scholars and practitioners, who share a common interest in strengthening the rule of law and democracy across Europe. 

In a co-creative process in 2023, a group of alumni from several re:constitution Fellow cohorts developed a joint network strategy for sustainable alumni work for the steadily growing group of alumni. The network is governed by a Steering Team of 6-8 alumni and supported in administrative matters by the re:constitution team at Forum Transregionale Studien. A spokesperson, elected from and by the Steering Team, represents the network.

Activities of the Network include various forms of mutual collaborations of alumni that range from ad hoc peer discussions to conducting collaborative, long-term content driven research. The focus currently lies on regular meetings to enable personal exchange and on small project funding. These re:constitution alumni incubator funds are intended to encourage alumni collaborations on both academic and practical projects by supporting small-scale pilot projects that might lead to larger projects at a later stage.