Monika de Silva
About Monika de Silva
Presentation
I am a researcher working on the intersection of international relations and EU studies. I defended a PhD in political science in April 2025 based on the dissertation "Gender Wars' in Europe: Diplomatic Practice under Polarized Conditions" which explored the role of bilateral diplomacy and negotiations in the Council of the EU in conflicts over gender equality and LGBT+ rights. I am a member of the Gender and Diplomacy project (GenDip) and the Centre for European Research (CERGU).
I received an Advanced MA in EU International Relations and Diplomacy at the College of Europe (2020) and a Master of Law degree in the framework of interdisciplinary studies at the University of Warsaw (2019). My professional experience includes traineeships at the European External Action Service, the Council of Europe and Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Research
I conduct research in the fields of international relations and EU studies. I work in constructivist tradition and my research relies on conceptual and qualitative research methods.
My research interests include: international order, norms, and institutions; international and European law in context; diplomacy; human rights; gender and sexuality; Central and Eastern Europe; Europe in the world.
My work has been published, among others, in International Studies Quarterly, European Journal of International Relations, Journal of European Public Policy, and Politics & Governance.
Teaching
I teach lectures and seminars in the following courses: Swedish Politics in a Comparative Perspective, EU Practical Knowledge, EU in International Affairs, Foreign Policy Analysis, Modern European Integration, European Identity and Heritage, and Applied Qualitative Research Methods, Problems and Design.
I also supervise students' theses (BA and MA levels).