Theresa Merz

Theresa Merz serves as a Research Fellow at the Chair of Comparative Politics (Central and Eastern Europe) within the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts, History and Social Sciences at the University of Regensburg.

Educational background:

• Master of Arts in Democracy Studies, University of Regensburg (2013-2016)
• Undergraduate studies in Political Science (first major) and Business Administration (second major), University of Regensburg (2009-2013)

Her research focuses on the political systems of Central and Eastern Europe, European integration processes, and identity formation within the European context. Her work particularly examines how political institutions in post-communist states have evolved and interacted with European structures, with special attention to crisis periods such as the Euro debt crisis.

Awards and recognition:

• Research scholarship from the Bonn Academy for Research and Teaching in Practical Politics for her work on "Fatherland Europe? European Identity in the Time of the Euro Debt Crisis" (2013-2014)

Ms. Merz has substantial teaching experience at both university and secondary school levels. At the University of Regensburg, she currently teaches "Introduction to the Political Systems of Central and Eastern Europe" and "Polarization and Party Systems in Central and Eastern Europe." Previously, she taught History at the State Secondary School Obertraubling and Politics and Society at the Berching State Secondary School.