Academic qualifications
2016
Title of professorial thesis:
“Debating Europe in National Parliaments. Discursive Justification and Political Polarization in Comparative Perspective”
FB 03, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Academic supervisors:
Prof. Brigitte Geissel (University Frankfurt)
Prof. Gunther Hellmann (University Frankfurt)
Prof. Arthur Benz (University Darmstadt)
Venia Legendi in Political Science
2005
Dissertation (Dr. disc.pol.)
Title of doctoral thesis:
“Soziales Europa und demokratische Legitimität. Die Institutionalisierung der EU-Sozialpolitik aus demokratietheoretischer Perspektive”
Faculty for Social Sciences, University Göttingen, Germany
Supervisors:
Prof. Horst Kern (University Göttingen)
Prof. Frank Nullmeier (University Bremen).
Magna cum laude
2000
Degree in Political Science (Diplom-Politologe, MA equivalent)
University Hamburg, Germany
Awarded with distinction (“Sehr Gut”)
Stipends and awards
2018
Return from Abroad Stipend by DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)
Awarded as Guest Researcher and Lecturer at University Hamburg
2000 – 2003
Stipend as part of the Doctoral Program (Graduiertenkolleg) 407:
“The Future of the European Social Model”
University Göttingen
Funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG)
1996 / 97
ERASMUS stipend for study abroad
Paris X – Nanterre
Languages
German: Native Language
English: full proficiency, spoken and written
French: good proficiency, spoken and written
Spanish: good proficiency spoken, basic proficiency written
Dutch: basic proficiency, spoken and written
Memberships in Professional Associations
EUSA (European Union Studies Association)
ECPR Standing Group on the European Union
ECPR Standing Group on National Parliaments
DVPW (German Political Science Association)
Personal
Nationality: German
Married, three children
Avid cycler and newspaper junkie (New York Times, FAZ and Economist)
Double bass player, 10+ years experience performing with volunteer symphony orchestras (check out this one for a photo of me with Thalia Symphony in Seattle)