The pro-independence movements of stateless nations in Europe are currently experiencing an unprecedented support. Led on by Scotland and Catalonia where pro-independence political parties are firmly in government, it appears 2017 and 2018 will be supremely eventful years.

Issues of belonging, identity, nationhood, diplomacy, and the great level of uncertainty make for stimulating discussions in political as well as academic fields. In light of these highly important circumstances, the Department of European Studies at Aarhus University in cooperation with the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia (Diplocat) invite participants to a conference on contemporary pro-independence movements in Europe. We welcome papers on the intersections between self, nation, culture, and politics in stateless nations such as Scotland and Catalonia, but also the Basque Country, Northern Ireland, Wales, Flanders, and elsewhere.

• Professor James Mitchell, University of Edinburgh: Recruited by Referendum: Surges in SNP membership after the Scottish Independence Referendum
• Professor Klaus-Jürgen Nagel, Universitat Pompeu Fabra: From "Europe of the Regions" to "Independence in Europe". How stateless nationalist parties changed their standpoint on Europe (and what this means for Europe) 
• Dr. Montserrat Guibernau, University of Cambridge: The ambivalent nature of Nationalism