Teaching

My teaching is grounded in the belief that students learn best when they are actively engaged in tackling real-world problems. I see the classroom as a collaborative space where students are challenged to apply theory to practice, to test competing perspectives against empirical evidence, and to develop their own analytical voice.

I use a problem-based learning approach, in which I guide students to develop their own learning goals and research questions. They work through (hopefully interesting) practical cases drawn from the real world. Such cases might include the politics of IMF lending, negotiations on the Paris agreement, or corporate lobbying on trade rules. I believe that a problem-based learning approach allows students to take more ownership over their studies and sharpen transferable skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and communication. I draw inspiration from business-school pedagogy, using simulations, case-based discussions, and structured debates to connect theoretical approaches to cases students are passioned about.

My teaching portfolio spans undergraduate and postgraduate levels across several countries, including the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. I have taught large lectures on international relations and international political economy, seminars on international organisations and research methods, and thesis-writing workshops designed to guide students through the process of developing independent research projects. To date, I have supervised more than 30 undergraduate and master’s dissertations.

Equally important to me is the inclusive and supportive dimension of teaching. I strive to create classrooms where students from diverse backgrounds feel welcome and respected, and where they can bring their own experiences into discussions of global politics. I place a strong emphasis on accessibility, clarity of feedback, and pastoral support, recognising that academic learning is deeply connected to student wellbeing.

Ultimately, my goal as a teacher is to equip students with a solid grounding in international political economy and with the curiosity, critical thinking skills, and confidence to engage with the political and economic transformations that shape the world they live in.

Teaching experience:

BA:
– Politics of the Global Economy (Potsdam University)
– International Institutions (Potsdam University)
– Globalizing World: Contemporary Issues and Actors in International Relations (Maastricht University)
– Introduction to Quantitative Methods (Maastricht University)

MA:
– International Organizations (University of Glasgow)
– International Relations Thesis (London School of Economics and Political Science)
– Theories and Histories of Globalisation and Development (Maastricht University)
– International Relations and Global Governance (Maastricht University)