The aim of this conference will be to answer key economic and social questions facing Europe using ESS data. Questions such as, what is the current state of democracy in Europe, how has the financial crisis changed the political landscape, has increasing unemployment affected happiness, will be addressed. Papers which compare attitudes between ESS participant states on topics such as societal well-being, happiness, discrimination, the welfare state, democracy, democratic functioning, and immigration are welcome, as are papers addressing methodological aspects of the ESS. Papers which directly consider Ireland as one of the participant states would be particularly welcome.The conference is hosted by University College Dublin.