The EUI Alumni Chapters form a vibrant global network that reflects the spirit and mission of the European University Institute. Rooted in the EUI’s commitment to excellence in research, cross-border dialogue, and public service, these Chapters bring alumni together across Europe and around the world to continue the exchange of ideas long after their time in Florence.
Established in key European capitals and expanding to regions across the globe, EUI Alumni Chapters strengthen connections within and across countries. They create spaces for intellectual engagement, professional collaboration, and the transnational conversations that define the EUI community. Through events, debates, networking opportunities, and local initiatives, the Chapters nurture research dialogue, mutual learning, and a deeper understanding of the challenges shaping Europe and the wider world.
As part of a lifelong network, EUI alumni continue to contribute to academic, institutional, and societal development. The Alumni Chapters embody this shared purpose—connecting people, perspectives, and expertise to advance the EUI mission and European values globally.
EUI Alumni Chapters are volunteer-led and supported by the EUI’s Development and External Relations Service. Their success depends on alumni who organise events, host conversations, mentor younger graduates, and act as local ambassadors for the EUI. By joining or helping to lead a Chapter, alumni actively shape the EUI’s global presence and strengthen a network that continues to grow long after graduation.
EUI Alumni Chapters
The EUI Alumni Chapters bring EUI alumni together around the world, creating opportunities to reconnect, exchange ideas, and strengthen the EUI community beyond Florence. Through both country and city-based chapters and thematic chapters, alumni can build professional and personal connections, contribute to academic and policy discussions, and support the Institute's mission of fostering international collaboration and lifelong engagement.
Located in Brussels, at the heart of European and international governance, the EUI Alumni Chapter of Belgium brings together alumni who contribute to the country’s rich landscape of EU institutions, diplomatic missions, research organisations, civil society networks, and leading private sector companies. The Chapter reflects Belgium’s central role in European affairs and the long-standing presence of EUI alumni across its public and professional spheres.
Under the leadership of Massimiliano Santini, the Chapter connects alumni from different cohorts and disciplines who have made Belgium their home or professional base. It provides opportunities to meet fellow EUIers working on European policy, research, law, economics, and public service, as well as those active in Belgium’s academic, civic, and private sectors.
Through events and networking opportunities, the Chapter offers a welcoming environment for exchanging perspectives, developing partnerships, and remaining engaged with EUI’s work from one of Europe’s most influential capitals. It serves as a focal point for alumni wishing to stay connected to the EUI community while contributing to informed debate and European engagement from Brussels and beyond.
EUI Alumni Ambassador to the EUI Alumni Chapter of Belgium: Massimiliano Santini
Massimiliano Santini is a senior policymaker with over 25 years of international experience in competitiveness, green industrial policy, and large-team leadership. He currently works at the Secretariat-General of the European Commission, leading policy dialogue with EU Member States on green and digital transition reforms, including on the labour-market impact of AI. Previously, he spent several years at the World Bank directing programmes across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and was an EUI Policy Leader Fellow, a visiting fellow at the University of Hong Kong, and a candidate for the European Parliament. His earlier career includes work in London’s financial sector, international organisations in New York, and documentary filmmaking. He holds an MPA/ID from Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Modena, and is currently on leave from a DPhil in Politics at the University of Oxford.
massimiliano.santini@alumnifellows.eui.eu
EUI Alumni Ambassador to the EUI Alumni Chapter of Croazia: Ivan Obadić
Ivan Obadić (b. Varaždin, 1979) is an assistant professor at the Department of General History of Law and State, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb. He obtained his BA in history from the Faculty of Social Studies and Humanities, University of Zagreb, in 2006, and completed the integrated undergraduate and graduate university study of law at the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, in 2007, earning his LLM. He received his master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2008. He completed postgraduate studies at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, in 2013. He received his PhD at the European University Institute in 2017.
María Jiménez Buedo is Associate Professor in the Department of Logic, History and Philosophy of Science at UNED in Madrid. She obtained her PhD from the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute (EUI) in 2005. She also holds an MSc in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences from the London School of Economics and an MA in Social Sciences from the Juan March Institute (now the Juan Linz Institute).
She has worked as a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and has served as an advisor to the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. In this capacity, she represented Spain on the EUI High Council.
Her research focuses on the philosophy of the social sciences, with particular emphasis on methodological issues. Her recent work examines experimental methods in the social sciences and the epistemic and practical challenges of applying these methods beyond controlled laboratory settings. She has also contributed to debates on the role of social science experts in policymaking and on integrating experimental and observational approaches in policy-relevant research.
She is Senior Co-Chair of the Women Caucus of the European Philosophy of Science Association and a member of the Steering Committee of the European Network for the Philosophy of the Social Sciences.
Country and City Alumni Chapters
Country and city alumni chapters provide a local hub for EUI graduates to stay connected after their time at the Institute. Led by volunteer alumni, these chapters organise networking events, lectures, social gatherings, and outreach activities that strengthen ties within local communities while maintaining a close connection with the EUI. Together, they form a growing global network that reflects the diversity and international reach of the Institute.
Thematic Alumni Chapters
Thematic alumni chapters bring together graduates with shared professional or academic interests, regardless of where they are based. These chapters create spaces for interdisciplinary exchange, collaboration, and engagement around topics of strategic importance. The first thematic alumni chapter has been established in partnership with the EUI Security Research Network, connecting alumni working across the broad field of security studies. This collaboration builds on the Network's expertise and community to foster dialogue, share knowledge, and encourage collaboration between alumni, researchers, and practitioners addressing today's security challenges.