Cristina Cocito

Cristina holds a bachelor’s degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences (Political Science and International Relations) from Università degli Studi di Genova (IT). Part of her degree took place at the University College of Cork (IR). In addition to this, Cristina holds a Master of Laws degree in International Law and International Relations from Lancaster University (UK) and a Master of Laws degree in Globalization and Law: specialization Human Rights from Maastricht University (NL). As her final dissertation, she engaged in a critical discussion of the current interpretation of international humanitarian law principles as applicable in the context of cyberspace within a digital-reliant world. 

After completing her studies in the UK, Cristina worked as an intern at the European Judicial Network Secretariat, Eurojust seat, in The Hague (NL) from October 2017 to April 2018. From September 2018 to February 2019, she pursued a Schuman traineeship at the European Parliament, working for the legislation team of the Cabinet of the President.

Since October 2021, Cristina is part of the iBOF-project ‘Future-proofing human rights. Developing thicker forms of accountability’ in a collaboration between the VUB and the Universities of Ghent, Antwerp and Hasselt. Her work focuses on how fundamental rights protection can be fostered in an era of Artificial Intelligence and surveillance through existing data protection law and privacy. Her PhD focus addresses the human rights impact of automated decision-making systems used by public bodies.