7.2.2 Research Methodology

This research case study analysed the political, medical, and scientific responses in EU institutions and also in three Member States: the UK, Czech Republic, and Germany.

The case authors undertook an analysis of the governance framework present within all governance-levels that had a role in responding to the Zika outbreak: global actors (such as the World Health Organisation, WHO), EU actors (The European Council, the European Commission, the Directorate General for Health and Food, or the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control-ECDC), and national actors, identifying the public institutions in charge of foreign affairs, public and global health, research, and also science advice.

Once these institutions were identified, the research team conducted interviews in the diplomatic service, ministries responsible for medicine, for research, public hygiene and public health, government bodies, as well as in research and medical institutions and associations.

Special attention was focused on four areas:

a) Political reaction and prioritization of science diplomacy

b) Data collection and data sharing

c) Internalisation of research and allocation of new funding to expand research on the infectious disease

d) Operational response to the crisis

What the experts think

The lead author of this research case study, Prof Ivo Šlosarčík, has been interviewed to provide you with some key highlights.

Ivo Šlosarčík

Professor of European Integration Studies and Jean Monnet Chair in EU Politics and Administration and Jean Monnet Chair in EU Law,  Charles University in Prague

How have you structured your research? What countries have you compared and why? What kind of stakeholders have you interviewed?

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