ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: Refugee Crisis
ECFR's director Mark Leonard speaks to ECFR's CEO Dick Oosting, experts Susi Dennison and Josef Janning, about how the different EU countries deal with…
Experts & Staff
Susi Dennison
Senior Director for Strategy and Transformation
Senior Policy Fellow
Areas of expertise
EU foreign policy; climate and energy; cohesion and politics in the EU; migration
Languages
English and French
Biography
Susi Dennison is a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Her topics of focus include strategy, politics and cohesion in European foreign policy; climate and energy, migration, and the toolkit for Europe as a global actor.
At ECFR, Dennison acts as chief of staff to the Director and leads the European Power programme as well as the organisational growth and transformation process. She has been with ECFR since 2010 in a range of roles including developing ECFR’s work with public opinion data on foreign policy, leading ECFR’s foreign policy scorecard project for five years, working on North Africa in the early years of the MENA programme, and exploring how the EU can pursue a values-based foreign policy which supports human rights and democracy in a contested world. Before joining ECFR, Dennison worked for Amnesty International and HM Treasury in the United Kingdom.
Moving on from panic mode: was last week a turning point in the migration challenge?
German FM Steinmeier and Economics Minister Gabriel call for solidarity, humanity, fair distribution and support
The road back to European power
The EU needs an honest assessment of its capabilities and to set limited goals behind which member states can show sustainable unity
Europe’s Neighbourhood: Crisis as the new normal
Europe’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) needs drastic reform to deal with a region characterised by conflict, counter-revolution, and extremism
Humanitarian emergency in the Mediterranean: ECFR Scorecard briefing
This week, a number of ECFR’s Council members released a public statement, adding their voices to the dismay across Europe at the recent surge…
Five takeaways from France’s departmental elections
After his party’s poor showing in the departmental elections, Hollande must face up to five disturbing realities
The incurable European
Diplomat Robert Cooper, UK PSC Ambassador Angus Lapsley and ECFR's Susi Dennison, explore where and how the UK has influenced European foreign policy decision making in 2014
The incurable European – the UK and Europe’s Foreign Policy
Diplomat Robert Cooper, the UK's PSC Ambassador Angus Lapsley and ECFR senior policy fellow Susi Dennison explore where and how the UK has influenced…
France blazes a lonely trail
France did not seem inclined to build coalitions on foreign policy in 2014, preferring to go it alone – which made it less effective as a foreign policy leader
Britain is still a leader in European foreign policy
In spite of the rising tide of anti-European rhetoric, the UK’s diplomats are still cooperating with Europe and driving foreign policy initiatives within the EU framework
Publications
Winds of change: The EU’s green agenda after the European Parliament election
After the European Parliament election, the incoming EU institutions will likely prioritise security and competitiveness, complicating the path to climate action. Climate progressives will need compelling narratives, strategic resourcing, and diplomatic engagement to advance the best possible climate agenda over the next five years
A sharp right turn: A forecast for the 2024 European Parliament elections
The 2024 European Parliament elections will see a shift to the right in many countries and could mean that a populist right coalition emerges with a majority for the first time
Strategic interdependence: Europe’s new approach in a world of middle powers
Middle powers are shaping a fragmented world for which Europe is ill prepared. To protect its interests and values, the EU needs a foreign policy strategy that emphasises its wide range of interdependencies
Ends of the earth: How EU climate action can weather the coming election storm
In the run-up to a busy election year in Europe, there is a clear risk of a backlash against climate action. European policymakers need to emphasise the benefits of climate action to voters and update their policy instruments to the changing circumstances to keep the European Green Deal on course
Decarbonisation nations: How EU climate diplomacy can save the world
The EU’s status as a global leader on decarbonisation is in uncertain territory. It needs a new approach to climate diplomacy, centred in a broader political and economic relationship with its partners worldwide
Green peace: How Europe’s climate policy can survive the war in Ukraine
Russia’s war on Ukraine has weakened European governments’ commitment to EU climate goals. European leaders should intensify their efforts to build clean, sustainable energy security
A certain idea of Europe: How the next French president can lead
The next French president should pursue a strong European foreign policy agenda to protect Europeans against the threats they are most concerned about
Climate of cooperation: How the EU can help deliver a green grand bargain
The bloc should reframe the international debate on energy security to focus on clean energy resources and efficiency, engaging in the market reforms needed to incentivise this shift
New energies: How the European Green Deal can save the EU’s relationship with Turkey
EU member states should help Turkey manage the impact of the new trade regulations the deal would bring in
Crisis of confidence: How Europeans see their place in the world
Public faith in EU institutions has declined due to their handling of the covid-19 pandemic. However, citizens still believe in the need for greater cooperation
Articles
Agricultural tackles: Protesting farmers and the EU’s climate agenda
As farmers’ protests spread across the EU, European leaders will need political courage to implement the next phase of the European Green Deal
Rescue mission: Von der Leyen’s call of history and the rules-based global order
Ursula von der Leyen’s state of the EU address was defensive in tone – but one part of it could prove groundbreaking
Competitive climate: How the EU’s green agenda can protect the environment and economy
If Europeans pull back on their climate obligations, they will endanger both their green agenda and their competitiveness
Tracking Europe’s energy security: Four lessons from the EU’s new energy deals
The EU and its member states have taken unprecedented steps to reduce their dependence on Russian energy resources. ECFR’s new EU Energy Deals Tracker documents Europeans’ agreements with new suppliers – and highlights four key lessons for policymakers
Deals of a lifetime: Why the EU should include renewables in its response to the energy crisis
European leaders are realising that short-term fixes on gas supplies have long-term implications. They should include renewables in their deals with new suppliers to speed up the process of decarbonisation
State of the Union: How the energy crisis can strengthen EU unity
The European Commission president’s annual address has not pleased everybody – but its focus on energy reflects a deeper understanding of the nature of security today
Own coal: Why Europe could lose its green transition
European leaders’ need to sanction Russia is pushing them to develop alternative sources of fuel. They should not lose sight of the role that clean energy could play in this
Diplomatic power: The EU’s ambitious new energy strategy
The EU can protect its energy security in the long term by transforming its approach to green diplomacy
Ukraine, Europe, and the power of association: A new way to help aspiring EU states
A new compact could allow Ukraine, Balkans states and others to move closer to the EU and drive reform more powerfully than the current rigid rules
New year’s irresolution: France, nuclear power, and the EU’s energy transition
The roles of gas and nuclear power in the EU’s transitional energy mix present France with one of the first big fights of its EU presidency
Specials
EU Energy Deals Tracker
The energy deals the EU and its member states are now making with third countries will shape Europeans’ ability to protect their energy security in the long term. The EU Energy Deals Tracker provides a comprehensive overview of these agreements, including their implications for the sustainable transition
European Sovereignty Index
The EU can overcome the new challenges it faces and can shape the global order. To achieve this, Europeans will need to improve their joint capacity to act
What Europeans really want: Five myths debunked
New ECFR/YouGov research reveals huge fluidity in current voting intentions: 70 percent of Europeans certain to vote are yet to make their choice. Nearly 100m swing voters are up for grabs
The 2019 European election: How anti-Europeans plan to wreck Europe and what can be done to stop it
Summary With anti-Europeans on their way to winning more than one-third of seats in the next European Parliament, the stakes in the May 2019 election…
The nightmare of the dark: The security fears that keep Europeans awake at night
Great power competition is increasingly shaping Europeans’ security environment, while other security threats are also on the rise, from terrorism and cyber attacks to climate change
New European Security Initiative
Edited by Ulrike Esther Franke, Manuel Lafont Rapnouil & Susi Dennison
Fear and loathing on the road to the US elections
European leaders are underestimating the danger that Trump presents to the transatlantic alliance and assuming too much continuity in the event of a Clinton presidency
The Future of Schengen
In the midst of a Schengen crisis, how do Europe's member states see the future of Europe's visa-free travel area?
Podcasts
The great reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their security and defence cooperation
In this seventh episode of our mini-series , Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Nick Witney and Camille Grand about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations, especially regarding cooperation on defence
The Great Reset? Challenges and opportunities for EU-UK cooperation
In this sixth episode of our mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Philip Rycroft about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The Great Reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their economic cooperation with Ivan Rogers
In this fifth episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Ivan Rogers about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The Great Reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their cooperation on climate and energy with Nick Butler
In this fourth episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Nick Butler about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The Great Reset? The view from Brussels with Mujtaba Rahman
In this third episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Mujtaba Rahman about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The great reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their cooperation on foreign policy with David Lidington
In this second episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to David Lidington about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The great reset? How the EU and UK can rethink their cooperation on foreign policy
In the first episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Anand Menon about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
Winter is coming: Europe’s energy transition and the war in Ukraine
Can Europe remain true to its climate agenda despite Russia’s war in Ukraine?
Peace versus Justice: The coming European split over the war in Ukraine
New ECFR research reveals that Europe’s remarkable unity in the early days of the war is under threat from an emerging split – between those who want peace as soon as possible and those who favour justice for Ukraine
The European Sovereignty Index #FactsThatMatter
How can the EU and member states close the gap between ambition and capability in their quest for European sovereignty?
Events
10 Jun
ECFR’s Election Insights: Implications for Europe’s foreign policy agenda
This webinar will provide a snapshot analysis of election results and their implications for Europe’s foreign policy and security agenda. Featuring perspectives from selected ECFR…
28 Sep
Powering the future: Charting Europe’s climate and energy sovereignty
Referring to it as “our answer to the call of history”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the achievements of the European Green…
4 May
Climate Diplomacy: Designed to Deliver?
Against a backdrop of worldwide concern about energy and food insecurity in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, COP27 took place, bringing attention to…
8 Dec
Germany’s leadership role in Europe’s green agenda
What role can Germany play in Europe’s green transition and where has it come thus far?
24 Nov
Stronger together: From piecemeal energy deals toward a sustainable European energy policy
In this virtual launch event, we will present ECFR’s brand-new online tool, the Energy Deal tracker, and discuss the need for a more coordinated European energy and climate strategy
31 Oct
A new climate for peace? How Europe can reconcile energy and climate security
Cinzia Bianco, Mats Engström and Anthony Dworkin were in conversation with Susi Dennison to hear how Europe can best meet its energy security interests all the while preserving its credibility as a climate superpower
10 Oct
Green future: How can Spain help Europe keep its green transition goals on course through the energy crisis?
How can Madrid help in bringing other European member states on board in saving energy and investing in renewables?
31 Mar
The battle for the Elysee
ECFR is collaborating with De Balie to discuss France’s political future and the impact of the election result on European integration and solidarity
10 Mar
A new era for Europe: Do Europeans trust France on Russia?
Our panel will discuss insights from new public opinion polling of 15,000 citizens across 12 EU member states, captured in the upcoming report by Susi Dennison and Tara Varma.
13 Jan
Delivering the European Green Deal: creating a climate of co-operation after COP26
Our experts will talk about European climate sovereignty, energy security and potential partnerships with the neighbourhood
In the media
Susi Dennison on how changing sentiment reflects the results of the European Parliament elections
Susi Dennison comments on public perceptions of Euroscepticism in France
Under this parliament, it will be hard to read a clear strategic agenda other than some of the core principles around security and the economy
Susi Dennison on the future of the European Parliament
Unfortunately, voters are not going to get from these elections what they think they’re voting for by voting for the far-right parties
Susi Dennison on the upcoming European Parliament elections
Susi Dennison on climate policy being under pressure ahead of the European elections