First row discussant: Maria Haag

The State of the Union has selected a group of EUI community members as first-row discussants during the panels on 4 May. They’ll be the ones to get the ball rolling for lively discussion following the panel presentations. Get to know who they are, and what they specialize in.

Maria Haag

1. What is your connection with the EUI?

I am a third-year researcher at the EUI Law Department.

2. How would you summarise your research, in just a few words?

My research is on EU citizenship law. More specifically, it explores the question of how the responsibility of the state for its citizens is divided up between the Member States of the European Union.

3. On which panel will you be a first-row discussant at SoU2017?

‘Free Movement vs. Social Solidarity: Does EU Citizenship Undermine European Welfare States?’

4. What can academics contribute to policy-discussions about the future of Europe?

I believe that academics can contribute to a more evidence-based and rational discussion about Europe. Academia can and should promote critical thinking within policy-discussions. Recent debates in the Member States have shown how important it is to get the facts right – be it on migration, free movement or trade.

5. What are you most looking forward to about SoU?

I am very much looking forward to the conversations on the European Union between people with different backgrounds and approaches: academics, politicians, policy-makers, journalists, etc.