Catherine Ray

Catherine Ray is a Visiting Professor in the Interdepartmental European Advanced Studies (IDEAs) program at the College of Europe, Bruges campus, and Head of Unit at the European Commission. She brings over 20 years of expertise in EU communication strategy and political advisory roles across key EU institutions.

Education:

• College of Europe (Promotion Leonardo da Vinci), European Political and Administrative Studies

Her research and teaching focus on EU communication frameworks, foreign policy implementation, development policy coordination, and trade diplomacy. Drawing from direct experience as Lead Spokesperson for High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini and Commissioners Andris Piebalgs (Development) and Janez Potocnik (Research), she analyzes EU decision-making dynamics. Her professional scope extends to advising UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis and consulting for corporations, NGOs, and international organizations through Publicis Consultants (Paris). She has taught EU communication at the French ENA (2012) and co-taught Trade and Development courses at the College of Europe (2014).