Romy Hansum

Romy Hansum is a Policy Fellow at the Jacques Delors Centre within the Hertie School, specializing in EU Fiscal and Investment Policy with a focus on the EU budget and spending mechanisms, particularly cohesion policy. Her position places her at the intersection of academic research and practical policy development in European governance.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Politics and Public Administration from University of Konstanz
• Master of Political Science and European Affairs from Sciences Po Paris and Freie Universität Berlin

Romy's research examines the political economy of EU funding distribution, with particular attention to how electoral considerations influence resource allocation decisions. Her work bridges theoretical political science with practical public administration challenges, analyzing both regular EU budget processes and extraordinary funding mechanisms like the Covid-19 recovery package. She investigates why organizations sometimes fail to access available EU funds and how political interests shape distribution patterns across regions.

Her recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory focused on EU budgetary processes, revealing systematic patterns in how political considerations influence the distribution of EU resources. Her work provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to improve the effectiveness and political viability of EU funding mechanisms.

Prior to her current academic position, Romy gained practical experience as a policy officer for the Ministry of Social Affairs Baden-Württemberg, which informs her research approach with real-world governmental perspective. Her doctoral research specifically explored the political distribution of EU cohesion policy funds across regions and thematic priorities, establishing her expertise in this specialized domain of EU governance.

As part of the Jacques Delors Centre, Romy contributes to one of Europe's leading think tanks focused on European integration and policy development. The Centre provides an intellectual platform connecting academic research with policy practice, and Romy's work represents a significant contribution to understanding the complex political dynamics underlying EU fiscal governance.