Working on three research streams
On 9 and 10 March 2023, the Circle U. Tax Forum gathered at UCLouvain for a first exploratory workshop. Organized by Professor Marie Lamensch and Circle U. Academic Chair, Professor Edoardo Traversa (UCLouvain), this is one of the initiatives selected for support under the first call of the Circle U. Seed Funding Scheme.
Participants discussed the research and tax interests of the constituent universities with a view to future collaboration. What came out of this first meeting is a roadmap setting out three research streams for the Circle U. Tax Forum: Taxation of Digital Assets and Wealth, Democracy and Tax Administration, and Advancing Environmental and Health Policies through Business Taxation. These research streams broadly reflect Circle U.’s Climate, Democracy and Health hubs.
– Since taxation is often an area where research teams are relatively small, there are big advantages in carrying out the project at a higher level.
– The nice thing is that we are all from the same generation, with a strong interest in research with a European and comparative focus and with societal impact. Even if we regularly collaborate with universities outside Circle U., we see a great potential to develop common activities for the mutual benefit of all members of our alliance. Moreover, since taxation is often an area where research teams are relatively small, there are big advantages in carrying out the project at a higher level, says Professor Edoardo Traversa.
Future plans include the creation of a network for doctoral students with joint seminars . The group is also exploring the possibility of organising joint activities for students.
Participants at the first workshop
This first workshop included academics and researchers from King’s College London (Senior Lecturer Dr Stephen Daly), UCLouvain (Professor Edoardo Traversa, Professor Marie Lamensch and PhD student Pierre-Louis Krug), University of Pisa (Associate Professor Dr Giulia Boletto, and PhD students Fabio Cocco and Francesco Dian), University of Oslo (Associate Professor Dr Anders Mikelsen) and University of Vienna (Professor Daniela Hohenwarter-Mayr), with the online participation from Associate Professor Svetislav Kostic of the University of Belgrade. Other Circle U academics and researchers have already expressed their willingness to join the initiative.
What’s Next?
The group is planning to meet again in April/May 2023 and bring in more Circle U. academics and researchers interested in taxation to plan further activities.
