Stepping Outside Academia: My Time at CEPS
A fellow shares her experiences during the non-academic secondment
As part of the GEM-DIAMOND doctoral program, I had the opportunity to spend four months at the Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS), a prominent think tank in Brussels. This experience allowed me to delve into a highly stimulating environment, start the fieldwork for my doctoral thesis and deepen my understanding of the interplay between research and the policy-making world.
Most importantly, the time at CEPS enabled me to share some of my research with a wider audience outside academia. I had the chance to publish two pieces on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as the main focus of my dissertation: an explainer that breaks down the EUDR's complexities from a foreign policy lens and a commentary reflecting on the role of big firms in the meaningful implementation of this regulation.
The time at CEPS was very enriching – both professionally and privately – and I thank everyone at CEPS for being so open and welcoming, for the curiosity and interest towards my research and the constructive input and refreshing perspectives.
by Katharina Weber