International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development
International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development
I am currently serving as the Director of Research and Programmes at Regional Action Lab (Re-ACT Lab) – a regional think tank focused on policymaking concerning Western Balkan countries and the European Union (EU). In this role, I focus primarily on monitoring and analysing the regional cooperation, economic development strategies and the complex process of integrating the Western Balkan countries into the EU.
The decision to work on this position comes from a long-held interest in policy analysis and research, particularly the desire to contribute to evidence-based policymaking. Furthermore, being from the Western Balkan region myself, I feel a strong commitment and a genuine desire to contribute directly to the crucial processes of EU accession for countries in the region.
Additionally, I am serving as the Chairperson of the Managing Board at POLIscope Institute, a think tank that fosters a vibrant intellectual community spanning all cohorts of the Erasmus Mundus ILGSPD and ILSPSD programmes. Through this role, I work to bridge the gap between cutting-edge academic insights and real-world challenges in security, peace, and sustainable development.
Absolutely! The skills and knowledge that I gained through IGLSPD are key to the kind of analysis I do now at Re-ACT Lab. My work covers a broad range of regional policy issues, specific international agreements and cooperation frameworks affecting the region, and monitoring various EU initiatives. One day I might be looking at specific deals related to migration issues, another day I will be analysing an EU instrument that helps countries in the region to implement necessary reforms to align with the EU body of law, or monitor regional trade agreements in the region.
What IGLSPD gave me was the essential foundation and, crucially, the ability to tackle this variety of topics with real depth. The pathway that I chose – at Leuphana University of Lüneburg – blends international law, politics, international relations, economics and sustainable development, and this is vital for my work. For example, the grounding I got at the University of Glasgow on public international law provided me with a broad understanding and the ability to analyse legal aspects and implications of specific agreements. The experience and knowledge gained at Leuphana is indispensable for my understanding of regional trade dynamics, economic integration efforts and actions taken to ensure the economic convergence of the region as a precondition for EU accession. Lastly, the time spent at IBEI added another crucial layer to my profile. The knowledge and skills gained at IBEI allow me to analyse the regional cooperation, stability context and the other security dimensions, which are crucial policy issues in the Western Balkans.
So, more than just giving me information, ILGSPD really built my analytical skills and capacity to approach these complex, often interconnected, policy challenges with a much more deeper and more nuanced understanding than I had before. That is something I rely on constantly.
While the learning and studying throughout the programme were truly transforming, for me, the personal highlights really stand out. First and foremost were the opportunities I had to work closely with Prof. Ozcelik Olcay, Prof. Bäumler and Prof. Tams. Engaging with them directly on research went far beyond my standard coursework; those collaborations were truly enriching, enhanced my skills and offered me crucial experience that shaped my professional development.
Another important highlight is the fact that ILGSPD gave me the chance to live in different European cities during the programme. Experiencing diverse cultures, adapting to new environments, and exploring different contexts was an amazing journey of personal growth and really broadened my worldview.
Finally, the people made the experience truly special. Being part of such an international and dynamic cohort, meeting classmates from all corners of the globe, sharing our unique background, and learning directly from their diverse perspectives and experiences was incredibly rewarding and allowed me to create friendships that I will value forever.
My main advice is that you should fully utilise the unique interdisciplinary strength of ILGSPD, as the perspective gained from the programme is truly valuable nowadays, especially in policy analysis work. For those specifically interested in a career path similar to mine, I would recommend to gain practical, relevant experience through internships or roles that involve direct analysis and research.
It is also crucial to strategically enhance your knowledge in the specific topics that you are interested in, while also making sure you stay engaged and informed with the current policy discussions and key developments in your chosen field.
This (and ILGSPD overall) might sound like a lot to focus on, but do not feel overwhelmed. Keep exploring what truly interests you – there are many ways to contribute, and there is definitely a place for passionate and well-prepared people in this field.
Let us take a look at the world right now in 2025 – we are facing major, interconnected challenges. As a global society, we are dealing with ongoing conflicts and shaky geopolitics, an ever-escalating climate crisis, economic instability, alongside tricky legal questions arising from the new tech.
I honestly do not think that these are challenges that we can solve by looking at just one angle! This is precisely why IGLSPD themes are crucial today and will continue to be crucial in the future. I believe that to tackle these issues effectively, we need to understand how international law, security, peace and sustainable development intersect.
