About Me
Hi, I’m Irina! I’m a researcher working at the intersection of human rights, EU policy, and anti-trafficking work. Currently based in Brussels, I’m doing a Bluebook Traineeship at the European Commission. Previously, I spent 2 years at La Strada International as a researcher.
I have an interdisciplinary academic background: starting with European Studies (with a heavy dose of EU law), and continuing with a Master’s in Public International Law. Somewhere along the way I also picked up a Bachelor’s in Psychology because understanding why people do what they do felt just as important as understanding the rules they’re supposed to follow. All three at the University of Amsterdam.
I have a curious mind, always looking to learn, build on the knowledge that I have and bring together different disciplines. I’m always happy to connect with people and don’t shy away from a challenge. I care a lot about evidence-based policy and doing research that actually reaches the people it’s meant to help.
Experience
Working on-site in Brussels as part of the Planning, Better Regulation and Enforcement Unit of DG JUST.
Supported multi-partner initiatives focused on combatting human trafficking, with a particular emphasis on data collection, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
Contributed to research and advocacy efforts in the anti-trafficking field — quantitative and qualitative research, drafting policy briefs, and supporting the wider advocacy work of the secretariat.
Education
Specialisation in Social Psychology.
Thesis: The Moderating Role of the Stereotype Content Model in Prejudice Confrontation
Focus on EU Migration Law and Humanitarian Law.
Thesis: On Regulating Lethal Autonomous Weapons: Towards a Pan-European Approach?
Major: European Union Law. Minor: Eastern European Studies.
Thesis: A Discourse Analysis on the Activation of the Temporary Protection Directive
Selected Writing
A couple of the longer reports I’ve worked on:
- 2024 Trafficking in Human Beings Assistance Statistics and Trends
- Assisting Displaced Persons from Ukraine: Indications of Human Trafficking and Labour Exploitation
- 2023 Trafficking in Human Beings Assistance Statistics and Trends
- Assessment of the Principle of Non-Punishment: Collection of Case Law
Languages
| Language | Level |
|---|---|
| 🇷🇴 Romanian | Native |
| 🇬🇧 English | Advanced |
| 🇮🇹 Italian | Intermediate |
| 🇨🇳 Mandarin | Intermediate |
| 🇫🇷 French | Intermediate |
Volunteering
Hobbies
Travelling, Reading, Crocheting
Most interesting city I’ve lived in? Beijing, China
Get in touch
The easiest way to reach me is via the contact page. Always happy to chat about anti-trafficking research, EU policy, migration law in one of the five languages above (results may vary for Italian, Mandarin, and French).