Deep Knowledge and Breadth of Vision: What Social Sciences Graduates Bring to the Table   

Thurid Hustedt

Dean of Graduate Programmes

Hertie School

Thurid Hustedt is Dean of Graduate Programmes and Professor of Public Administration and Management at the Hertie School. Her research focuses on public sector change dynamics, political-administrative relations and comparative public administration. Hustedt is the Managing Editor of the peer-reviewed journal dms – der moderne Staat (with Sylvia Veit). Previously, she was a visiting professor at the Freie Universität Berlin and a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Potsdam. She was a visiting researcher at the University of Bergen and the University of Toronto. Hustedt holds a PhD and a Diploma in Public Administration from Potsdam University.

Alexandros Kentikelenis

Associate Professor of Political Economy and Sociology

Bocconi University

Alexandros Kentikelenis is an associate professor at the Department of Social and Political Sciences of Bocconi University in Milan. His research focuses on global governance and on global health and social protection. He has co-authored three books and published over 50 articles in leading social science journals. His research has won multiple awards and has received attention by many media outlets. In addition to his academic work, Alexandros has served as an advisor to various governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations, including the German Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, the World Health Organization and Oxfam International, and he was Vice-President of Greece’s National Centre for Social Solidarity.

Małgorzata Molęda-Zdziech

Head of the Department of Political Studies, Institute of International Studies

SGH Warsaw School of Economics

Małgorzata Molęda-Zdziech is a sociologist and political scientist, heading the Department of Political Studies at the Institute of International Studies of SGH Warsaw School of Economics. She is also the Rector’s Representative for Cooperation with the European Union. Previously, she served as the Director of the Polish Science Contact Agency in Brussels (2017-2020) and Deputy Director in the Polish-French Programme at European Studies SGH/Sciences PO Paris (1998-2001). Her interdisciplinary academic profile includes sociology, political science, and communication media studies, with research interests in political communication, lobbying, and interest groups at national and European levels. She supports the European Commission Representation in Poland as an EU expert and is a member of several national and international associations. Additionally, she is vice president of Europa ONG and has published extensively on lobbying, communication, and media. She was awarded the French Medal - Chevalier des Palmes Academiques. 

Borja Santos Porras

Vice Dean at IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs

IE University

Borja Santos Porras is Vice Dean and professor at the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, specializing in public policy and international development. With over 10 years of experience, Borja has worked on public policies and international programs across Africa, Europe, America, and Asia. He holds a Master in Public Administration in International Development from Harvard Kennedy School (2017) and a Master in International Relations (2014). Borja also has a BEng+MEng in Telecommunication Engineering (University of Valladolid, 2006). He is the president of the Spanish alumni network of Harvard Kennedy School, collaborates with IMFAHE for international expansion, and is a professional coach with EuropeLab. Borja has published opinion pieces and been interviewed for international publications.