Anna-Sophie Maass
My academic background is in European Studies and International Relations. After a Bachelor and Masters in European Studies at Maastricht University, I graduated with a PhD in Politics and International Relations at La Trobe University in Melbourne. Prior to working as a Lecturer in International Relations and Diplomacy within the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University I worked as a Lecturer in European Politics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Subjects: Political Science
Biography
In line with my current research interests on EU-Russian relations, EU foreign policy towards its eastern neighbours and Russian politics, I teach modules on foreign policy and diplomacy as well as on Russian international politics. Before working as a lecturer in International Relations and Diplomacy at Lancaster University I was a Lecturer in European Politics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands where I convened and taught courses on EU foreign policy towards its neighbourhood, German Politics, European Integration and European Politics and Society. I also supervised and co-supervised Bachelor theses. Prior to my post at the University of Groningen I was working at the College of Europe, Natolin campus as a visiting professor, a post-doctoral research fellow and a senior academic assistant. In these capacities I convened and taught introductory courses and a Masters theses colloquium, delivered tutorials, conducted research, organised the academic programme of study trips and provided academic and administrative support to the College's visiting professors.Prior to working at the College of Europe Natolin, I graduated with a PhD from La Trobe University in Melbourne. My thesis examined the reasons for the transformation of EU-Russia relations from courtship to confrontation between 1999 and 2008. My monograph extends the analysis of the reasons for the transformation of EU-Russia relations until 2015.
Education
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BA European Studies, Maastricht University
MA European Studies, Maastricht University
PhD Politics and International Relations, La Trobe,Melbourne
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Areas of Research: EU-Russia relations, EU foreign policy with its Eastern neighbours, European Security and Defence Policy
Professional Experience: course coordination, teaching, theses supervision, organise study trips, participate in selection committees for future prospective students at the College of Europe, research, participation in conferences and workshops.
Personal Interests
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As a balance to my work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, skiing, cycling, hiking and travelling.
Books
Articles
The Tip of the Iceberg or a New Low in EU-Russian Diplomatic Relations?
Published: Aug 28, 2021 by Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
Authors: Anna-Sophie Maass
This article examines current diplomatic relations between the European Union (EU) and Russia. It argues that despite the severe strains in the relationship, cooperation between EU member states and Russia regarding containing COVID-19 can take place in the short-to-medium term. However, in the long-term, EU-Russian contestation over human rights, freedom of speech and violent clampdowns of the political opposition in Russia will outweigh these short-term gains in cooperation.
Kaliningrad: a dual shift in cooperation and conflict
Published: May 14, 2020 by East European Politics
Authors: Anna-Sophie Maass
Subjects:
Political Science
This article argues that NATO's security concerns replaced EU-Russian contestation about visa liberalisation as the main source of conflict in their relationship. It demonstrates that the case of Kaliningrad reflects a dual shift from a contested to a fluid boundary in EU-Russian relations, and from a contested to a solid boundary in NATO-Russian relations.
From Vilnius to the Kerch Strait: wide-ranging security risks of the Ukraine crisis
Published: Jan 22, 2019 by European Politics and Society
Authors: Anna-Sophie Maass
The EU’s and Russia’s integration strategies with Ukraine and opposition towards Yanukovich were factors shaping the crisis’ deterioration. The Ukrainian-Russian confrontation in the Sea of Azov necessitates an assessment of the security implications of this conflict. By examining the EU’s response to the Ukraine crisis between the annexation of Crimea and the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation in the Kerch Strait in 2018, this article examines the EU’s abilities in providing security.
The Actorness of the EU’s State-Building in Ukraine - Before and after Crimea
Published: Jan 14, 2019 by Geopolitics
Authors: Anna-Sophie Maass
After the EU’s diplomatic mission to resolve the Orange Revolution, several Russian policy makers perceived the EU as an aggressive actor seeking to undermine Russia’s influence in the post-Soviet space. About a decade later, Russian policy makers belittle the EU’s limited abilities in the Ukraine crisis. This article explains the reasons for this change of the EU’s abilities by focusing on its state-building in Ukraine between 2013 and 2015.