Rachel Owens

Rachel is graduated from the University of Leeds with a Bachelors in Italian and Political Science, within which she choose a study path focusing on European politics and development policy. As part of her degree, she took part in an Erasmus exchange programme in Udine and after graduating moved to Verona where she taught English for a year. Last year, she participated in the Jean Monnet Summer Seminar programme in Rome entitled ‘Integrating Europe in a changing world’. She is currently completing an Advanced Masters at the KU Leuven University in Belgium, writing her thesis on the role of Civilian - Military relations within the framework of the ESDP. Her main areas of specialist interest are International and EU Environmental politics, EU Crisis Management and EU Development policy. She is deeply passionate about politics and the concept of political participation. In her free time she enjoys running, learning languages, living and experiencing different cultures, dancing and meeting new and interesting people. Her regular reads include The Guardian, La Repubblica, Le Monde, GrilloNews, as well as inspiring, thought-provoking novels.