Welcome!
My Name is Elena. I am a Post-doctoral Researcher in the EVOLV’EP - MEPs’ Career & Behaviour Project at the Departement de Sciences Politiques, Sociales et de la Communication at the University of Namur, Belgium.
My research interests lie in the broad areas of comparative political institutions, representation, European legislative politics, parties, political careers, parliamentary behaviour and decision-making as well as gender.
-> Please find information on my current research project about Gendered Political Careers and on Parents in Politics on this website.
My work has been published in European Union Politics, International Organization, Legislative Studies Quarterly and other peer reviewed journals. My book "Re-Selecting Members of the European Parliament" on party goals and candidate selection for the European Parliament elections in Germany has been published with Springer VS.
News:
March 2025: Interested in the challenges women face in EU politics? Please find our post on EUROPP here:
The complex struggle for gender equality in EU politics
Jessica Fortin-Rittberger and I explain that the EU is often viewed as a champion of gender equality. But unless commitments are translated into sustained action, future political changes could reverse the progress made so far.
March 2025: The Special Issue I edited on "Gendered EUropean careers? Representation and the challenges in women's political careers" will appear in EUP soon! Please find an overview of challenges faced by women in European Politics here.
February 11th, 2025: The EUObserver interviewed me on parents, particularly mothers, in the European Parliament. Ever asked yourself if the EU Parliament is still letting down female MEPs with children? Find the answer here.