UK Jewish research institute to lead major EU drive against antisemitism

The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) is to lead a major new European research initiative aimed at improving understanding of antisemitism and strengthening Jewish life across the continent.

The London-based organisation has been selected by the European Commission to co-lead the Network for European Research on Jewish Life and Antisemitism (NERON), a new project funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. The network will officially launch in October.

Working alongside the European University Institute (EUI), JPR will bring together researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations and Jewish community leaders from across Europe to improve research, close knowledge gaps and help turn evidence into practical policies.

The announcement was made in Vienna on Monday by European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner.

The project aims to strengthen research into both antisemitism and contemporary Jewish life by developing common research standards, encouraging greater collaboration across Europe and supporting the next generation of specialists through training and networking opportunities. It also hopes to lay the foundations for a permanent European research hub dedicated to the field.

Dr Jonathan Boyd, executive director of JPR, said: “There has long been a gap between the challenges communities face and the quality of the data available to address them. NERON’s goal is to close that gap.”

“NERON is not just another research project – it’s about building the backbone of how Europe understands Jewish life and tackles antisemitism. For JPR, being selected to help lead this work is a major vote of confidence in the approach we’ve developed over many years. The responsibility now is to work with our partners at EUI to turn that trust into something genuinely useful: better evidence, better analysis, and better policy for the future of Jewish communities across Europe and beyond.”

Professor Erik Jones, director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute, said the project would unite researchers from different countries and discipline to strengthen both scholarship and policymaking.

“The community of scholars studying contemporary antisemitism and modern Jewish life in Europe is – by necessity – multicultural, interdisciplinary, and international. They work at the cutting edges of the humanities and social sciences. And they shed important light on how we can fight antisemitism and foster Jewish life for the benefit of all Europeans,” he said.

“By working with the JPR on this major new initiative, we hope to bring that community of scholarship together across countries and disciplines, enrich the policy conversation, and strengthen European society at large.”

David Ereira, chair of JPR, described the project as an important milestone for the organisation.

“This is a landmark achievement for JPR and a strong endorsement of our reputation for excellence, independence and impact. The European Commission’s decision to entrust us with leading NERON is a direct result of the years of pioneering research work we have done on Jewish life and antisemitism in the UK, across Europe and around the wider world.

“At a time when reliable evidence is more important than ever, the project will help strengthen the research infrastructure that informs and shapes policy across Europe. We are immensely proud of the team, led by Dr Jonathan Boyd, and grateful to the donors, partners and supporters whose confidence and commitment have made this possible.”