Prof. Daniel Tarschys is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the Political Science Department at the University of Stockholm, which he chaired in 2002-2007. He was Secretary General of the Council of Europe in 1994-1999. In 1983-85, he was Professor of Soviet and East European Studies at Uppsala University. He has also served as Secretary of State and Head of the Swedish Prime Minister's Office. He has been Member of the Swedish Parliament and Chairman of its Standing Committees on Social Affairs and Foreign Affairs. In 2000, represented the Swedish Government in the Convention drafting the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. He chairs the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics and the Board of Riksbankens Jubileumsfond. He is a member of the Government’s Advisory Council on Research Policy and the Government’s Committee to revise the Swedish Constitution. In 2008, he is preparing an official report on methods to extend university autonomy in Sweden.  

Tarschys has PhDs in political science from Stockholm University and Princeton and a law degree from Stockholm University. His research interests include comparative politics, human rights, public policy, government growth, accountability and budgetary policy. His most recent publication is The Enigma of European Added Value: Setting Priorities for the European Union (available at www.sieps.se ).

His awards and honours include an honorary doctorate from Cluj (Romania), a docentship at Åbo Akademi (Finland), the Swedish King’s Medal and Grand Crosses from Germany, Liechtenstein, Romania, San Marino and Spain. His languages are Swedish, English, French, German and Russian.