Explore a dynamic selection of Think Tanks and Thinkers who play pivotal roles in shaping European policy, governance, and international relations within the bustling Brussels arena. This compilation showcases thought leaders, researchers, and visionaries dedicated to advancing crucial issues, such as democracy, sustainability, security, and economic development. Each profile offers a unique perspective and invaluable insights, shedding light on the intricate web of European politics and institutions. Return to the main list here.
Alberto Alemanno – Founder at The Good Lobby
A prominent figure committed to bridging the gap between academic research and policy action, renowned for his expertise in EU law and advocacy for democratizing the European Union. As the Jean Monnet Professor in European Union Law at HEC Paris, his research focuses on leveraging the law to address social, economic, and political inequalities within European societies. He is a prolific author, with numerous academic publications and books to his name, including “Lobbying for Change: Find Your Voice to Create a Better Society.” A respected commentator, regularly contributing to publications like Le Monde, The Guardian, and Politico Europe, and sharing his insights on international news channels. He’s also known for his civic engagement, co-founding The Good Lobby to empower civil society and promote corporate political accountability. Alberto Alemanno’s multifaceted contributions make him a key influencer and thought leader in EU affairs and beyond.
Tomi Huhtanen – Executive Director at Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
Leader of the political foundation of the European People’s Party since it’s launch in 2007 Tomi has a strong background in European politics and economics. Tomi is also the driving force behind the European View policy journal. His multilingual skills and leadership as the Executive Director of one of Europe’s prominent political foundations and think-tanks have made him a notable figure in the EU Bubble. Tomi regularly engages with key stakeholders through the Thinking Talks interview series and provides valuable insights through his recent short video commentaries on current issues and events. He holds an MBA degree from the United Business Institutes in Brussels.
Scarlett Varga – Secretary General at Bruegel
Newly appointed Secretary General at Bruegel, Scarlett plays a pivotal role in the organization’s development, governance, and membership relations. With a focus on enhancing Bruegel’s outreach and engagement with various stakeholders, she brings valuable expertise to European policy and economics. Scarlett is also a co-founder of The Brussels Binder, actively promoting gender equality in the EU Bubble. Her background in the renewable energy industry, multilingual skills, and commitment to sustainability make her a dynamic thought leader in Brussels.
Roland Freudenstein – Vice President at GLOBSEC
Roland is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in public administration, global democracy initiatives, and the think tank sector. His career spans roles at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), the European Commission’s foreign policy planning staff, and leadership positions at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He served as the Policy Director of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies and currently holds the position of Vice President at GLOBSEC, where he represents Central Europe’s voice in Brussels. Roland has authored numerous articles on European integration, international security, Transatlantic relations, and global democracy. He is fluent in German, English, French, and Polish.
Garvan Walshe – Head of Communications at the European Policy Centre
Founder of Article 7 Strategies, a tech-focused initiative dedicated to holding populists accountable and supporting liberal democracy. He is also a visiting fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, specializing in European defense policy. As a columnist for Conservativehome and a contributor to international media outlets like Foreign Policy, CNN, Die Welt, and Haaretz, Garvan is a recognized voice in political commentary.
Theresa Fallon – Director at Centre for Russia, Europe, Asia Studies (CREAS)
Theresa Fallon is actively involved in various organizations and initiatives, including the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. Theresa’s research focuses on EU-Asia relations, maritime security, global governance, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and great power competition. She has testified before the European Parliament and the UK House of Lords, briefed Members of the U.S. Congress, and contributed to numerous publications. EU Influencer in the field of trade and economics according to ZN Consulting and one of top 20 women to follow on Twitter in the areas of foreign policy and national security according to Foreign Policy magazine.
Viktorya Muradyan – Communications Officer at European Liberal Forum
Communication Officer for the Brussels-based think-tank and ALDE Party’s political foundation, European Liberal Forum. Viktorya also curates and edits a weekly newsletter covering six countries in Eastern Europe – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – for The European Correspondent. She is an Advisory Board member of the European Youth Press.
Corina Stratulat – Associate Director and Head of European Politics and Institutions Programme at the European Policy Centre
Her work primarily focuses on EU institutional developments and enlargement in the Balkans. She holds a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from the European University Institute. Her research interests encompass comparative Central and East European politics, parties and party systems, elections, democracy, populism, EU institutions, Balkans’ EU integration, and enlargement policy. Corina is passionate about European political affairs, offering her analytical and writing skills to help implement policy ideas. She believes in inspiration, courage, adaptability, and the power of will, valuing European cooperation.
Frank Füredi – Executive Director at MCC Brussels
Professor Frank Furedi is a renowned sociologist, prolific author, and prominent media commentator. With over 25 books translated into 16 languages, he has extensively explored cultural developments in Western societies. Furedi’s recent work focuses on the impact of culture wars on various aspects of life, as seen in books like “Populism and the European Culture Wars” (2017) and “100 Years of Identity Crisis” (2021). His latest book, “The Road To Ukraine” (2022), examines the intersection of geopolitics and culture. As the leader of the new Hungarian think tank that arrived in Brussels in 2022 year last the extension of the Budapest-based Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) he is for sure one of the key thinkers to follow this year.
Isabelle Schömann – Acting General Director at the European Trade Union Institute
With a background as a former Principal Adviser to the Regulatory Scrutiny Board of the European Commission, senior researcher at ETUI, and research fellow at the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB – Germany), Isabelle brings a strong foundation to her current role. She holds the position of Deputy General Secretary at the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). Her areas of activity encompass a wide range of critical issues related to labor rights and social affairs.
