This blog

This blog is about public policy, leadership, and European politics. I have been working in the European Commission in Brussels for more than 15 years, and also teach EU policy-making to postgraduate students. I believe that civil servants should be more open about their views, and take an active part in important public conversations. I believe that societies constantly have to search for new policy solutions. We live in times where economic and social developments require constant adaptation. A model of public policy whereby you decide at one point in time and implement afterwards is outdated. Civil servants occupy a special position in this search for new policies, and more openness about their views would create greater trust in who they are and what they do.

Short bio

I worked in European Union communications for more than 10 years. I was a spokesperson for various members of the European Commission, and I have been in charge of communication campaigns and media analysis in the EU. I have currently a career break and am a Senior Fellow at Boston University’s Center for the Study of Europe. In January 2014 I will return to the department in charge of the EU single market and will serve as Head of Unit for the Free Movement of Capital. I have a Ph.D. in Political Sciences from the European University Institute in Florence, and was a Yale University World Fellow in 2006-2007. I worked in academia on regional economic growth and local labour markets, and worked for a few years as a consultant on public sector management.