It’s a thoughtful environment in which you are encouraged to discuss ideas, challenge assumptions constructively and find solutions together. Overall, I find it professional but also quite collegial and supportive.
What does your role at the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) involve?
I am currently working as a legal and policy officer in the Justice and Home Affairs Sector of the Policy and Legislative Consultation Unit. My role involves following the developments of EU policy, particularly in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation that may have an impact on the protection of personal data.
I also follow developments in European data protection law, including the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights, and advise the Commission, the Parliament and the Council on legal acts that have an impact on the processing of personal data.
What makes your work interesting or meaningful to you?
I believe that I am helping to find the right balance between ensuring the security of people living in the EU and protecting their fundamental rights to privacy and data protection. What makes it interesting is that the field of data protection is constantly changing, so you’re dealing with new questions all the time. It’s not a field where you can simply rely on established answers. You need to keep learning, think critically, and consider the wider impact of the decisions being made. I find that combination of purpose and intellectual challenge very motivating.
What opportunities have you had at the EDPS to learn, develop new skills or take on new challenges?
One of the things I particularly value about my experience at the EDPS is the variety of tasks and legal areas I have been exposed to. The work covers a broad spectrum, from criminal law and justice to environmental and digital matters, which means there is always something new to learn.
It has also given me a broader understanding of the EU and of the issues currently shaping European policy and law. This combination of variety and continuous learning has been a great opportunity for both professional and personal development.
How would you describe the working culture at the EDPS to someone who has never worked here?
I would describe the working culture at the EDPS as collaborative, international and strongly values-driven. There’s a real sense that the work has a public purpose, so people tend to be very committed to doing things carefully and to a high standard.
At the same time, because you work with colleagues from different professional backgrounds, there’s a lot of openness to different perspectives. I’d also say it’s a thoughtful environment in which you are encouraged to discuss ideas, challenge assumptions constructively and find solutions together. Overall, I find it professional but also quite collegial and supportive.
What do you enjoy about living and working in Brussels?
What I enjoy most is the combination of international exposure and quality of life. Brussels is very multicultural, so both personally and professionally you get to meet people from all over the world. At the same time, it still feels like a manageable city, with plenty of culture, good food and green spaces.
What makes the EDPS a distinctive place to work?
For me, it is the combination of its European and public-service dimension with the very specific expertise it brings on data protection and digital rights. It’s not just about applying rules; there’s an opportunity to contribute to discussions about how technology and innovation should develop while ensuring that people’s fundamental rights are protected.
I also think the international environment is quite unique. You work with colleagues from different backgrounds and interact with other European institutions and stakeholders, so the work has both a strong European perspective and sense of connection to its practical impact.