Maria Paula Gonzalez
Biography
I am a sociologist and project manager currently immersed in an advanced master's programme in European policy and integration, with a specialisation in EU Immigration Policies, External Relations & Security Policies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. My educational journey includes a Master’s in Planning & Territorial Sustainable Development from the Autonomous University of Madrid and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, Colombia.
My professional journey has been diverse, ranging from operations management at De Roos Advocaten in Brussels to customer service specialists at KBT Play in Puurs, Belgium. My role as a policy officer and project manager at the Town Hall of Bogota allowed me to coordinate partnerships for community projects, emphasising citizen participation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
With a passion for advocacy and a knack for stakeholder engagement, my research interests lie at the intersection of policy analysis and migration studies within the context of EU policies. I'm particularly intrigued by the challenges and opportunities presented by large-scale migration and the development of pragmatic responses.
Outside the academic and professional realms, I enjoy leveraging my language skills in English, Spanish, Dutch, and French. In my free time, you can find me with my 2-year-old little boy playing or indulging in a good book. Fun fact: I love ice cream.
My journey is fueled by a commitment to advocating for positive change and promoting inclusive policies, reflecting my belief in the transformative power of well-informed policies in our increasingly interconnected world.
Research projects:
Hummingbird Project Horizon 2020
Research keywords:
EU Immigration Policies, Migrant Women, EU Policies, Latin American studies, Labour Market Integration
Location
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Elsene
Belgium