Ask Women – on Europe
Change the narrative with the women experts from the European databases of the ENWE network.
Dear reader,
Welcome to the April issue of our Ask Women newsletter, brought to you by the European Network for Women Excellence (ENWE) in collaboration with the women experts’ databases in our network: 100esperte, AcademiaNet, Agenda d’Expertes, The Brussels Binder, Expertalia, Les Expertes and Ona Ve.
This Edition’s Theme:
Europe Day (May 9)
Europe Day, observed annually on May 9, commemorates peace and unity across the continent. The date marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, a visionary proposal that laid the foundation for European political cooperation, ensuring that conflict between nations would become unthinkable.
As Europe navigates global challenges, the day serves as a reminder of the power of unity in promoting peace, democracy, and shared progress, reinforcing the values that continue to shape the region’s future.
Meet the experts
Below, you’ll find the profiles and contacts of women experts in various fields available for interviews, panel discussions, events, and other opportunities.
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Please note:
you may have to change the language setting to ENG at the top right of the 100esperte website to view the profiles in English language.
SIMONA PIATTONI
Professor of Political Science, University of Trento. First female Chair of the Executive Committee of the European Consortium for Political Research, and first female President of the Italian Political Science Society. Educated in economics (BA/MA) and political science (PhD), she has contributed to the study of EU Cohesion policy and the role of European regions in EU democracy.LARA PICCARDO
Associate Professor in History of International Relations at the University of Genoa. She was part of several European projects and the holder of the European module Jean Monnet in “History of European parties and movements for European unity”. She is a member of the Interuniversity Research Center on the History of Federalism and European Integration.
RAQUEL JORGE RICART
Fulbright Fellow in Washington, DC. Specialist in tech and digital public policy (AI, 5G, IoT, cybersecurity). At Harvard, she worked on EU digital and tech sovereignty and Smart Cities. Writes for media and think tanks. Member of OdiseIA.
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ROSARIO TUR AUSINA
Professor of Constitutional Law at UMH Elche. Expert in EU rights, gender equality, and multilevel governance. Co-directs Revista Europea de Derechos Fundamentales. Has worked on EU constitutional law, migration, and privacy in anti-terror cooperation.
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ROSA BALFOUR
Director of Carnegie Europe, specializing in European politics, institutions, and foreign and security policy. She has published widely and focuses on the link between domestic politics and Europe’s global role. She is also on the steering committee of Women in International Security Brussels (WIIS-Brussels) and an associate fellow at LSE IDEAS.
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REBECCA CHRISTIE
Visiting Fellow at Bruegel and a former journalist with 22 years of experience in daily journalism at outlets like The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. She has advised the European Economic and Social Committee on taxation. She authored the European Stability Mechanism's institutional history, "Safeguarding the Euro in Times of Crisis: the Inside Story of the ESM".
Contact nowHELENA DALLI
EU’s first Commissioner for Equality since 2019, leading efforts to strengthen equality and inclusion across the Union. Before that, she held several political roles in Malta, including Minister for European Affairs and Equality, and Member of Parliament for over 20 years. She holds a PhD in Political Sociology and previously lectured at the University of Malta.
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FEDERICA INFANTINO
Federica Infantino's research interests focus on the day-to-day implementation of border and migration control within the European Union.
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ALIX FRANGEUL-ALVES
Program coordinator at the think tank The German Marshall Fund of the United States, in the Geopolitical Risks and Strategy department. Based in Paris, Alix Frangeul-Alves focuses on US domestic and foreign policy issues and their impact on Europe, as well as the geopolitics of energy.
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JULIE ZALCMAN
Trade Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe. Based in Brussels, she works on EU trade policies, free trade and investment agreements. In particular, she is following the negotiations on the EU-Mercosur agreement, the campaign to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty and, more broadly, the impact of international trade on climate, the environment, human rights and workers' rights.
ALESKA SIMKIC
Ambassador of the EU to Kazakhstan since Sept 2024. Former Head of Cabinet to the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management and Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Russia. Held senior roles in EU and OSCE with expertise in conflict management, humanitarian aid, civil protection and human rights.
Contact nowJANJA HOJNIK
Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law at the University of Maribor, leading the European Legal Studies MA and coordinating the Jean Monnet Chair on the
legal aspects of the EU’s smart and collaborative economy. Expert in EU internal market, digital law, and integration, with 25+ years in research, teaching, and advising.
Contact nowTINA KOBILSEK
Head of Climate Policy at Slovenia’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy, and lead UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) negotiator. Formerly at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, she holds an LL.M. from Leiden and shapes national, EU, and global climate policy.
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ENWE is committed to fostering dialogue, promoting diversity, and amplifying the voices of women experts across Europe. With Ask Women, we aim to showcase the incredible achievements and insights of these talented professionals, helping to bridge the gender gap in the media and beyond.
Thank you for reading and supporting our project!