UK and EU: What Role for Britain in Europe at a Time of Turmoil?

Talk with Professor Anand Menon (Director of UK in a Changing Europe and Professor at King’s College, London), his Excellency Jukka Siukosaari (Finland’s Ambassador to Denmark) and Dr. Christine Nissen (Chief analyst at Think Tank Europa). 

Earlier this year, the EU and the United Kingdom held the first UK-EU summit since Brexit took effect five years ago and the relationship continue to get warmer and closer across the channel. These developments mark a turning point not only for the UK and its relationship with the EU, but potentially for the future of Europe as a whole. That is not to say that Britain is ready to rejoin the EU or seek membership again any time soon. Membership is not on the table and holds no interest in today’s political reality—neither for Prime Minister Keir Starmer nor for the EU.

However, the Starmer government has shown that cooperation is now becoming a more important priority than just mending what became undone with Brexit, and that the UK is attentive to its interests in Europe’s security and economic development in a radically changed World order. Public opinion in the UK also favours improved relations with the EU, particularly in trade and the economy.

But can Starmer’s government withstand domestic political pressures? And what role does the EU hope for Britain to play at a time of multiple crises?

This event brings together expert views to discuss UK-EU relations and what is at stake for Europe at this crucial time. 

The discussion will be moderated by Professor Sara Hagemann from the University of Copenhagen.

A drinks reception will follow after the event.

Sign up for the event.

Deadline for registration: 23 October

 

Professor Anand Menon: Director of UK in a Changing Europe, UK

Anand Menon is one of the UK’s foremost experts on European politics and UK-EU relations. He serves as Director of UK in a Changing Europe, an academic think tank that provides research-based analysis of the UK's relationship with the EU. He is also Professor at King’s College and has published several books and articles on the policies and institutions of the European Union, European security, and British politics. He is a well-known figure in the UK and international media and contributes regularly to both print and broadcast media. He is co-editor of the “Oxford Handbook of the European Union” (2012), and co-author of “Brexit and British Politics” (2018).

Jukka Siukosaari: Ambassador of Finland to Denmark

Jukka Siukosaari was appointed Finland’s Ambassador to Denmark in September 2025, following his tenure as Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2025. His distinguished diplomatic career spans postings in Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Pretoria, Rome, and Dublin, as well as serving as Secretary General in the Office of the President of Finland.

Siukosaari joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1995 and holds a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration. His broad international experience and strategic insight have made him a key figure in shaping Finland’s foreign policy.

Christine Nissen: Chief Analyst, Think Tank EUROPA

Christine Nissen is Chief Analyst at Think Tank EUROPA, a Copenhagen-based think tank that focuses solely on European affairs. She is a leading expert in EU security and defence policy, European geopolitics, and transatlantic relations. Before her current role, she was a Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), contributing to key projects on international relations and security.

Nissen holds a PhD from Roskilde University and an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has been part of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) national network since 2015, and frequently features in the Danish media on EU and defence policies.

Professor Sara Hagemann: Professor in European Politics and Public Policy, University of Copenhagen

Sara Hagemann is a professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen (UCPH). She joined the department in April 2025 after having held the position as Vice Dean at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH, from 2021-2025. Before then, she was the inaugural Academic Director at the London School of Economic and Political Science (LSE)’s School of Public Policy, and Associate Professor at LSE’s European Institute from 2009 - 2021. Sara has published extensively on issues related to political processes and representation in the European Union, transparency in politics, and the role of national parliaments in international affairs.