This book is a collection of essays that analyse and discuss EU information and communication policies and activities towards, with, by different publics developed both by the EU institutions at the European, national and local levels and by public organizations and civil society actors. Throughout six thematic parts, the authors examine from different theoretical perspectives (political communication, journalism, public relations and public diplomacy, political science, and cultural studies) and reflect on what it means for the European Union to communicate in multi-national and multi-cultural settings. The originality and strength of this book stand on the capacity to discuss EU communication policies, strategies and actions in their diverse features and, at the same time, to have a clear general picture of the role and function that communication has within the European Union’s governance. The combination of different theoretical frameworks with the latest empirical research findings makes this book a fresh and fascinated collection of insights of what the European Union can achieve with strategic communications.

A comprehensive discussion of the findings of the PICASSO initiative on ICT policy ICT Policy, Research, and Innovation: Perspectives and Prospects for EU-US Collaboration provides a clearly readable overview of selected information and communication technology (ICT) and policy topics. Rather than deluge the reader with technical details, the distinguished authors provide just enough technical background to make sense of the underlying policy discussions. The book covers policy, research, and innovation topics on technologies as wide-ranging as: Internet of Things Cyber physical systems 5G Big data ICT Policy, Research, and Innovation compares and contrasts the policy approaches taken by the EU and the US in a variety of areas. The potential for future cooperation is outlined as well. Later chapters provide policy perspectives about some major issues affecting EU/US development cooperation, while the book closes with a discussion of how the development of these new technologies is changing our conceptions of fundamental aspects of society.