I am a political scientist specializing in international cooperation, with a particular focus on regional development across the European Union, Central America, Southern Africa, and the Atlantic Arc. My international career began in development cooperation, conducting field assessments of bilateral and multilateral programs in countries such as Namibia and El Salvador.
Leadership in EU City Networks
From 2009 to 2021, I served as Head of the Atlantic Cities network, where I was appointed by EU institutions as an expert for strategic programs including INTERREG Atlantic Area, URBACT, and advisory bodies such as the European Atlantic Maritime Strategy group and the Structured Dialogue on Partnerships in the Structural Funds.
During this time, I advised and monitored over 100 EU-funded initiatives, with a strong focus on territorial development, youth, innovation, and gender equality. My experience includes key contributions to major programs such as URBACT, UIA, INTERREG, Erasmus+, EYE, FP7, and Horizon Europe.
Among the initiatives I led is the Atlantic Youth Creative Hubs, a €4 million INTERREG project supporting entrepreneurial skills for disadvantaged youth. I also designed Atlantic Futures, a pioneering non-formal EU training scheme, and She4Sea, a program promoting women’s careers in the maritime economy — both recognized at the European level.
As recognition of this long-standing experience in EU cooperation, I was nominated in 2024 as a Team Europe Direct speaker by the European Commission.
Academic Profile and Research
Currently, I serve as Director for International Relations at Sciences Po Rennes, where I also lecture on Latin American Studies and International City Diplomacy. I am a peer reviewer for Nature Cities and for the European Commission’s Horizon programme.
I hold a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Rennes 2 (supervised by Jean Monnet Chair Prof. Guy Baudelle), and a Master’s degree in European Studies from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. I have been officially qualified as an Assistant Professor by the French Council of Universities (CNU). In 2023, my doctoral dissertation was awarded the International PhD Thesis Prize by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie and Foundation 2100, as the best francophone thesis in the field of foresight.
My research introduced the concept of “new urban diplomacy” — a strategy enabling cities to advance their political agendas internationally through subsidiarity and soft power. It continues to focus on the international stance of cities, territorial development in the Atlantic Arc, and emerging global trends, such as illiberalism in the Americas and people’s rights in regions like Greenland, Turkey, and Ecuador.
I have presented my work before key institutions including COP21, the Civitas Forum, the NAT Committee of the EESC, the Portuguese representation to the EU, and the Council of the Regions and Cities of the Danube. My research is regularly published in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Languages & Background
I am a native speaker of Spanish and Galician-Portuguese, fluent in French, English, and Italian, with working knowledge of German.
City-Storyteller: Freelance Services for Cities
City-Storyteller is my independent consultancy, born from two decades of international experience and academic insight.
I help:
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Cities, Mayors, and CEOs define and implement impactful international strategies;
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Urban stakeholders align their global presence with local priorities;
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Young professionals seeking an international career through tailored mentorship.
Whether you’re navigating EU programs, looking to enhance your city’s brand abroad, or seeking guidance on strategic international partnerships — I can help you turn your vision into a credible, fundable, and visible strategy