High-speed rail as a strategic infrastructure: a review of the EU’s high-speed rail vision within the TEN-T framework 
Dissent at the centre: protest policing in the EU’s capital 
Unpacking the Global Gateway’s Financial Structure: A Critical Look at its Development Logic 
2026 Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive – The amendment process and its impact Editor-in-Chief
Egor Smirnov
Egor is a 2nd-year PhD student at the University of Macerata in the “Quantitative Methods in Economics” program. He aspires to become a researcher of online misinformation or social media data analyst.
Throughout his career, he has developed a diverse set of skills and methods, stemming from his studies and work at four different European universities: Macerata (PhD), Potsdam (Double Master’s), Moscow (Double Master’s) & Saint Petersburg (Bachelor’s). Apart from that, he joined conferences in multiple prominent research centers in Germany, Italy, Greece, and Austria. Currently, he is also the Student Representative of Macerata in European Reform University Alliance.
Building on substantial knowledge in text and policy analysis, international relations, democratic systems, quantitative methods, discourse analysis, and machine learning, he has established a solid foundation for contributing to cutting-edge research in economics and social media studies. It is further supported by his excellent linguistic skills (proficient in English, German, Italian & Russian), advanced knowledge of programming languages (Python, R, MatLab) and statistical data analysis tools (Stata, Orange).
Deputy Editors-in-Chief
Martina Canesi
Martina Canesi is a Teaching Assistant and Project Officer at the LUISS School of Government, with previous experience at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Her academic and professional work focuses on EU governance, Mediterranean cooperation, migration policies, and gender-related issues, including structural discrimination and gender-based violence.
She is currently Deputy Editor-in-Chief at the European Student Think Tank, where she contributes to policy-oriented research and editorial strategy.
Giulia Cera – European Policy Review (EPR)
Originally from Italy, Giulia is attending the last semester of her Joint Master’s Degree in People, Rights and Resources in Hannover, Germany.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in French and English applied to International Relations and, during her BA years, she developed a deep interest in international politics, with a keen interest in North Africa and the Caucasus.
Giulia has also long worked with other Italian students’ associations in the fields of international relations and youth empowerment and she is thrilled to expand her horizons working, for a second term, with the European Student Think Tank.
Editors
Nadine Power
Nadine is an undergraduate student in English literature and sociology at Trinity College Dublin. Throughout her studies, she has become interested in the issues of migration, social stratification, and social & economic policy. Her BA thesis focuses on the correlation between social mobility and belief in meritocracy.
Nadine’s focus on social mobility & stratification came from her work with her university’s access programme, where she volunteers as a community mentor and ambassador. She is passionate about equitable education and has received numerous awards for her work.
Nadine joined the EST in June 2025, and also works in the statistics department of Ireland’s oldest student-led newspaper.
Davide Di Battista
Davide is a Bachelor’s student based in Naples, University “Federico II”.
He is majoring in History of religions, with a main focus about religious intolerance and religious conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean in a comparative study between ancient and modern times.
Davide has various interests, from international relations to anthropological and social studies. He is mainly focused on international cooperation, integration processes and migration studies.
Davide’s curriculum mostly represents his international attitude, since he took part in many international projects during the years.
Eske Van Liempt
Originally from The Netherlands, Eske is an ambitious student who has lived and studied in her home country as well as the UK and Sweden. In 2020 she graduated as a secondary school English teacher, but decided to pursue a MSc in Stockholm to study the relationship between politics, sociology and education. This gave her an opportunity to explore her interest in politics and philosophy which she is currently combining in her master’s thesis on philanthropy in education.
Through her work for the EST, she aims to contribute to strengthening the academic interaction with politics, supporting the democratic process.
Sara Legnani
Sara is a first-year PhD candidate and scholarship holder in the Department of Constitutional and European Law at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Bologna, as well as master’s degrees in EU Law and Advanced Legal Studies from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Her current work focuses on the intersection of European constitutional law and governance, with particular attention to how emerging defence cooperation is transforming the EU’s constitutional architecture.
Erika Pio Picheca
Erika is a second-year double Master student in European Legal Studies at the University of Turin and in European Business Law at Université Savoie Mont Blanc.
After her bachelor in Global Law and Transnational Legal Studies, the passion for European legislation and European affairs brought her to pursue the double master to deepen her knowledge of EU law and EU policy both in the private and the public sphere.
She is beyond exited to bring a fruitful contribution to EST and foster knowledge of the EU’s current challenges.
Eva Beere
Eva is a final-year undergraduate studying History at the University of Edinburgh. She recently returned from an exchange year in America, where she developed an interest in American foreign policy, international security, military affairs, and U.S.-Russian relations. Whilst in America, she gained experience as a copy editor for the largest student newspaper in the state.
She is also a policy researcher for a Scottish Student Think Tank, where she is exploring the use of AI in the Scottish Government.
As an Editor at the European Student Think Tank, she is keen to use her editorial skills and research experience to contribute to important discussions surrounding European affairs and foreign relations..
Noah Ponting
Noah is from Oxford, United Kingdom.
He is currently studying for an LLB in Law from the University of Birmingham.
He is passionate about Jurisprudence, EU Law and Public Law. Noah hopes to use the skills developed by studying law to further explore these interests in relation to wider EU policy and research at the EST.
Sonia Bashir
She graduated with a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies and a background in International Relations, developing expertise in geopolitics, emerging technologies, and national security. Her work focuses on the intersection of AI, diplomacy, and great power competition, with a regional emphasis on Asia, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.
She has contributed to policy research, strategic briefs, and analytical writing for security-focused institutions, bringing a sharp comparative lens to global affairs.
Louise Cullen
Louise is a Law and Political Science graduate from Trinity College Dublin, currently working in Ireland’s foremost youth information and mental health charity.
Louise is passionate about enhancing standards of living and equality. Her research interests include public health, rural development, sustainability, and civil rights and legal protections.
Outside of academic pursuits, Louise is an avid reader and Taylor Swift fan! She is also a fluent Irish speaker and, via a 1200-day Duolingo streak, working on her French, Italian and Spanish.
Irene Garcia-Espantaleon Artal
Irene graduated from a double bachelor’s degree in Sociology and International Relations at the Complutense University of Madrid and later completed a master’s degree in Computational Social Sciences at Carlos III University of Madrid. She has experience in academic research and consultancy, where she conducted diagnostics and prepared reports for public institutions in Spain and Latin America, with a focus on gender equality and development.
Her interests center on the application of data-driven approaches to social research and policy-making, particularly in the areas of digital violence and online hate speech. Irene also has a strong personal interest in languages and communication and hopes to pursue studies in linguistics in the future.
Maria-Ioana Stanescu
Ioana is a Bucharest-raised, Reims-based second-year Bachelor’s student at SciencesPo, who is passionate about education policy, with a particular focus on enhance digital competences as a pathway to ensure democratic resilience and civic participation.
Thus, she is especially interested in exploring how inclusive and future-ready education systems can actually reduce inequality and empower marginalised communities, which are topics she will try to sneak into her research at EST as well!
James-Osahon McGrane-Ero
James is a final year student of European Studies at Trinity College Dublin. He by how European cultural history shaped current affairs – from EU integration to domestic continental politics.
He aims to bring his interdisciplinary background to his position and is excited at the prospect of reviewing the fabulous work in the organisation.
Aurora Eberle
Originally from Italy, Aurora recently graduated from an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in European Politics & Society, after earning a Bachelor’s degree in International Law and European Institutions from the University of Milan.
Her research focuses on European affairs, with particular attention to EU member states’ domestic developments, the intersection of media framing and nation branding, and issues of democratic backsliding and the protection of core EU values.
Camilla De Martino
She is currently a Master’s degree student in International Relations and Political Science and an intern at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union.
Her academic interests focus on European Union law, gender policy, and migration policy, as well as EU project management and everything Erasmus-related.
She speaks 4 languages and enjoys studying new languages in her free time.
Marco Lagae
Born to Belgian and Bosnian parents and raised in Spain, Marco works researching and oranizing events to advance stronger Euro-Mediterranean relations.
He is currently the Events Officer at IEMed (European Institute for the Mediterranean, Barcelona), where he coordinates high-level events for the new Pact for the Mediterranean. Previously, he worked as Editor and Research Officer at IEMed, as well as a Junior Researcher at the Department of the Interior of the Generalitat of Catalonia. He studied International Relations. His thematic interests are mainly in energy, foreign policy, and security, and his geographical focus are the MENA region and the Western Balkans.
He speaks Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian, and is currently learning French and Bosnian.
Chiara Giorgi
Chiara Giorgi is a Double Degree Master’s student in Economic Development and Growth, currently studying at Lund University in Sweden after completing her first year at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Originally from Italy, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Organizations and Markets at the Catholic University of Milan, graduating with top honors. Her academic research focuses on the intersections of demographic change, gender equality, and labor markets, with projects ranging from Italy’s demographic decline to birth intervals in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Beyond academia, Chiara has gained professional experience through an internship at a consultancy firm in Milan, where she managed accounting tasks and coordinated international operations, as well as through Italy’s Universal Civil Service, where she contributed to educational projects for schools. She also volunteered in Lisbon, supporting social inclusion initiatives for homeless individuals.
Fluent in Italian and English, with working knowledge of French, Chiara combines strong analytical skills with editorial expertise. Passionate about bridging research and policy, she aspires to contribute to European institutions, particularly in the design of inclusive economic development strategies.
Marina Pastor Garcia
Marina is currently a student of Law and International Relations at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Her research interests focus on human security, structural and mass violence, migrations, peacebuilding and extractivism; encompassing the interplay between law, policy, narratives and collective action.
She also aims to bridge theory and practice in the field of global justice and human rights. That’s why, alongside her academic work, she is actively involved in grassroots movements fostering social transformation and culture of peace, particularly as a non-formal educator.
With this new opportunity, Marina is excited to contribute to reliable, critical, policy-oriented analysis as an EST editor!
Mirko Rosa
Mirko obtained a BA in International Relations from the University of Bologna and a MA in Comparative and European Law from Sapienza University of Rome. After having gained some experience at the law firm De Berti Jacchia Franchini Forlani in Brussels, he moved to Tirana where, since September 2025, is pursuing an MA in European Transformation and Integration at the College of Europe.
His main research interests include EU enlargement, Western Balkans, EU constitutional law, rule of law, democratic deficit, citizens participation.
Martina Pozzi
Martina is a motivated political science graduate (soon-to-be) with a strong interest in global socio-political dynamics, linguistics and sustainability. After a Bachelor’s in foreign languages and literature at the University of Milan, she decided to change trajectory and enrolled in a master’s program in Global Politics and Society at the same university.
She is currently finalising her thesis research at the Istituto Universitario de Lisboa, which focuses on the legal protection gap affecting climate migrants at the international and European level. Through research projects, joint university programmes and student representation she gained experience in working within diverse and stimulating environments, and now she keen to contribute to the work of the editorial office.
Kristina Welsch
Kristina is a master’s student in the interdisciplinary master’s programme in Civic Education at Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies from LMU Munich, Germany.
With professional experience in research and science communication, among other areas, she focuses on political theory, political and social psychology, interdisciplinary work and topics related to (civic) education.
Roumaissa Amrani
Roumaissa Amrani is an interdisciplinary researcher and editor working at the intersection of technology, policy, and politics. She graduated with distinction from the International Master’s in Intelligence, Security, and Strategic Studies. Her academic work focuses on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, with particular attention to how digital systems shape voice, participation, and knowledge.
She has previously worked as a researcher at the University of Glasgow GamingLab, a journalist, and a contributor to a range of international forums and policy platforms, including Women in International Security, Women in Tech Policy, and forums at the Scottish Parliament, among others.
Alessia Calarese
Alessia recently graduated from the University of York obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Political Sciences. During this time, she developed an interest in political sociology, encompassing a wide range of topics from identity to sustainable development. Her focus lies at the intersection of politics, international relations, and social change.
In her current professional role, she aspires to contribute to current discussions and innovative solutions for a more equitable and socially conscious world.
Roberta Franzini
Roberta Franzini is a linguist, translator, and editor with a strong academic background in languages, translation, and international communication. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistic Mediation and a Master’s degree in Interpreting and Translation, specializing in English and Chinese.
Alongside her academic training, she has gained professional experience as a freelance translator, proofreader, and language tutor, collaborating with international clients across the cultural, educational, and media sectors. Her interests include European affairs, multilingual communication, and evidence-based writing. Through her work with the European Student Think Tank, she aims to contribute to clear, accessible, and responsible communication on key European and global issues.
Ileana-Ancuta (Anca) Grigorescu
Originally from Romania, Anca now lives in Brussels and works in influencer marketing. Beyond her professional role, she spends time exploring defence and security issues, with a particular interest in the Middle East.
She is especially interested in military studies and how military actions shape international dynamics.
Daniele Sorato – Human Rights WG
Daniele is based in Brussels and has recently finished his Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Bologna, while also holding a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and European Institutions from the University of Milan.
He speaks Italian, English, Spanish, and German, to go along with some lackluster effort in adding new languages. He joined the EST in 2024 because of his interest in human rights, international politics, and editing.
Iorgus Cicala – Economic and Social Policy Team
Iorgus is a second-year master’s student of “Policy Analysis” at Bocconi University and has a solid background in economics and political studies. Driven by a genuine passion for causal methods applied across the social sciences, he has authored and edited numerous articles centred on policymaking and macroeconomics both as peer reviewer for IAPSS and as editor at the EST. Sharing a particular interest for game theory and applied econometrics, Iorgus is eager to uncover complex policy dynamics through both sound analytical frameworks and robust empirical models.
Finally, he is beyond excited to embark on his third editorial mandate and thus contribute to the much-needed production of thought-provoking inquiries by talented students united under their shared sense of critical agency.