The University of Amsterdam Centre for European Studies (ACES) is an interdisciplinary centre of excellence on contemporary Europe, the European Union, and its member states. ACES addresses major societal challenges as they play out in a European context. Research themes range from environmental sustainability to promoting economic growth and from migration and integration to privacy and surveillance. ACES also tackles topical issues concerning the dynamics and direction of contemporary Europe, such as the rise of populism, Euroscepticism and identity politics, the future of the Eurozone and the challenges illiberal democracies pose to the rule of law.