Research Project
My research examines how migrant women create everyday forms of belonging in contexts where formal integration pathways do not fully reflect their lived realities. Focusing on Kurdish women in Germany (NRW), the project explores how cultural practices, social networks and affective ties sustain diasporic community life across generations. Drawing on feminist and decolonial ethnographic approaches, the study investigates the informal infrastructures through which belonging, solidarity and cultural continuity are reproduced in post-migration settings. Methodologically, the project combines long-term ethnographic engagement with participatory visual mapping techniques that allow participants to reflect on their migration journeys and everyday spatial practices. By foregrounding gendered experiences of mobility and settlement, the research contributes to debates on migration, citizenship and diaspora while highlighting how belonging is actively produced beyond formal policy frameworks.
Research Interests
- Migration, diaspora and post-migration societies
- Gender and feminist anthropology
- Kurdish studies and Middle Eastern diasporas
- Citizenship, belonging, and everyday infrastructures
- Visual and participatory ethnographic methods
- Memory, mobility, and transnational social networks
- Collective memory and contested histories
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Academic Background
2024 – 2026: Invisible University for Ukraine (CEU and partners)
Beyond war and peace/ Politics and Narratives at European Borderlands:rethinking the Balkans for Ukraine (2024)
Protests, Social Transformations and the EU Rethinking the Balkans for Ukraine (2025).
Academic output: Drosopoulos, M. (2025). Cultural Participation in Times of Protest: Diversity, Youth, and Zines as Participatory Youth Work Practice. A facilitator’s manual. Thessaloniki &Tetovo: EuroBalkan Youth Forum/Unity Bridges.
2012 – 2019: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Doctorate (PhD) awarded with Excellent distinction (10/10) in Intercultural Studies, School of Education and PedagogicsDissertation topic: Cultural Context Adaptation in Translated Literature for Children and Youth: The Case of Roald Dahl’s Works in Greek and Turkish.
The dissertation developed an original analytical framework for identifying mechanisms of cultural adaptation in translation and examined how sociopolitical contexts shape the transformation of literary narratives across cultures.
2006 – 2008: University of Cyprus, Cyprus
Master of Arts (MA) in Conference Interpreting
The programme focused on multilingual communication and translation within international political and diplomatic contexts, including interpreting for international organisations and European institutions.
2001 – 2005: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature
Studies included linguistics, intercultural communication, literature, and education, with a particular focus on cultural representation and language in social contexts.
Professional Background
Since 2012: Council of Europe – Department of Youth and Democratic Participation, Strasbourg / international
Senior Researcher, Consultant and Senior Trainer
Conducts interdisciplinary research and policy analysis on youth policy, migration, refugee inclusion, and democratic participation across Europe and the Euro-Mediterranean region. As Principal Investigator and rapporteur in several Council of Europe initiatives, she has contributed to major policy reviews including the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)4 on supporting young refugees in their transition to adulthood and the evaluation of the Enter! Recommendation on access to social rights for young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Her work combines academic research with policy-oriented and participatory approaches to issues such as youth agency, migration governance, and intercultural dialogue.
2024 – 2026: Goethe-Institut, Athens / Sarajevo / Skopje
Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessment and Learning Expert/ Principal Investigator
Leads research assessing the EU-funded programme Innovation. Media. Minds., which supports public service journalism in the Western Balkans. The research examines institutional transformations in public media systems and their contribution to democratic resilience and media pluralism in Southeast Europe.
2020 – 2023: EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership, Brussels / Strasbourg
Youth Researcher
Conducted research on youth policy, migration, and refugee inclusion in Europe. Publications from this collaboration include studies on youth work in South-East Europe and the autonomy and participation of young refugees in European societies.
2022 – 2023: UN Women / Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Prishtina
Senior Research Consultant / Senior Democratization Officer
Contributed to regional research and policy initiatives examining youth development, gender equality, and social cohesion in the Western Balkans. The work involved collaboration with governments, civil society organizations, and international agencies to develop evidence-based recommendations supporting democratic participation and inclusive governance.
2020 – 2021: Regional Cooperation Council, Sarajevo
Consultant, Political Department
Contributed to policy initiatives within the framework of the SEE 2030 Strategy, focusing on regional cooperation in education, sustainability, and social development across Southeast Europe.
2020 – 2021: University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Research Assistant
Worked on the international research programme Changing the Story, which explored arts-based and participatory approaches to civic education and reconciliation in post-conflict societies including Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Rwanda.
Publications
Books and Monographs
Drosopoulos, M. (2024). Perspectives on Young Refugees’ Autonomy Amid Ongoing Conflict in Europe. Brussels: EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership.
Potočnik, D., & Drosopoulos, M. (2023). Youth Work in South-East Europe. Brussels: EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership.
Drosopoulos, M. (2022). Arts-based Approaches in Dealing with Memory, Trauma and Contested History. EuroBalkan Forum: Prishtina.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Drosopoulos, M. (2025). ‘Borders of Solidarity: Balkan Women Authors and Their Advocacy for Palestine’. Balkan Talks. Vienna/Budapest: Central European University.
Drosopoulos, M. (2021). ‘A new vision of regional cooperation in SEE as envisaged within the RCC-SEECP synergy’. South East Europe: Regional Cooperation and European Dimension, special edition. Athens: Center for Foreign Policy Planning, Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Drosopoulos, M. (2021b). ‘Greece & North Macedonia after the Prespa Agreement: attempting reconciliation via youth and civil society’. Proceedings of the Western Balkans Youth Conference: We Share the European Goals and Values (WBYC'21). 31 May 2021. Sarajevo: Balkan Studies Center, International University of Sarajevo (IUS). https://www.mreza-mira.net/vijesti/clanci/conference-proceedings-western-balkans-youth-conference-we-share-european-values-and-goals-2021/
Drosopoulos, M. (2017). ‘From camp to campus: the role of the youth sector in the access of refugee children to Greek schools’. Journeys to a New Life: Understanding the Role of Youth Work in Integrating Young Refugees in Europe. Youth Partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth. Available in: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/documents/42128013/47262364/From+camp+to+campus_Drosopulos_paper.pdf/4c821083-4dc9-4f98-b84c-cbd439042ee9
Drosopoulos, M. (2014). “The aesthetics of the macabre in contemporary children’s fiction: A debate over the pedagogical function of horror”. Reflections on childhood. Faculty of Education. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Book Chapters
Drosopoulos, M. (sous presse). “Contested Spaces and the Transformation of Collective Memory in Cyprus and Kosovo” in A. Menelaou & J. Polemikos (Eds.), Cyprus and the Balkans: Cultural, Historical and Religious Connections. Peter Lang.
Drosopoulos, M. (2021). ‘This is “our tradition”: conservatism and exclusion at the roots of youth radicalization; the case of the Kosovar Albanian diaspora in Switzerland’. In Mabel Brown (ed.) International Perspectives on Inclusion within Society and Education. Chapter 7, pp. 79-88. UK: Routledge. ISBN 9780367859718.
Drosopoulos, M. (2021b). ‘Kosovar Albanians in Greece: could education promote reconciliation and social inclusion in the wider Region?’ In Mabel Brown (ed.) International Perspectives on Inclusion within Society and Education. Chapter 3. UK: Routledge. ISBN 9780367859718.
Drosopoulos, M. (2021). ‘The “Kosovar Switzerland” as a tool in intercultural education: the hybrid identity of the modern Albanian diaspora in Europe as presented in Fisnik Maxville’s documentary film Zvicra’. In Sideri, E. (ed.). Cultural Neighborhoods and Co-productions in South East Europe and Beyond. Thessaloniki: University of Macedonia, pp. 153-161.
Drosopoulos, M. (2021) ‘Claiming the Glory of the Covid-19 Vaccine: Lessons for Better Societies via a Story Nearly Lost in Translation’. In Dimitris Triantaphyllou. & Ronald Meinardus (eds). Bridging the gaps: an almanac for Greek-Turkish cooperation. Istanbul: Kadir Has University. Dialog/Διάλογος/Diyalog/Dialogue Papers Series – greekturkishrelations.org
Drosopoulos, M. (2019). ‘Kosovan students in Greece: challenging and changing stereotypes’. Building Knowledge About Kosovo: Local and International determinants of Kosovo’s statehood. Prishtina: Kosovo Foundation for Open Society, pp.199-238. http://kfos.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/KFOS_Local-and-International-Determinants-of-Kosovo’s-Statehood-WEB.pdf
Drosopoulos, M. (2018). ‘The other brick in the wall: Integrating and empowering refugee students through intercultural education; a case study from Greece’. In Brown M.A. (2018) The Shifting Global World of Youth and Education. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at: https://www.routledge.com/The-Shifting-Global-World-of-Youth-and-Education/Brown/p/book/9781138210745
Drosopoulos, M. (2017). ‘The circle of trust: Redefining intercultural education and youth work in Greece’. Europe in transition: Perspectives on cultural diversity in a changing Europe. SALTO Diversity. Brussels: SALTO, pp.61-66. https://www.salto-youth.net/downloads/4-17-3716/EuropeInTransition.pdf
Policy Research and Institutional Reports
Drosopoulos, M. (2025a). Bridging the Transition to Adulthood: First review of the Implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)4 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on supporting young refugees in transition to adulthood. Strasbourg: Council of Europe. https://rm.coe.int/final-draft-version-cm-2019-4-review-report-27-october-1-/48802a9dce
Drosopoulos, M. (2025b) The new pact for the Mediterreanean: advocating for more inclusive and solutions-oriented policies. Alexandria: Anna Lindh Foundation.
Drosopoulos, M. (2025b). How Confident? Artificial Intelligence, Youth Work and Youth Policy. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
UN Women. (2024). Voices of YOUth: Gender Equality and Social Cohesion in the Western Balkans. Tirana: UN Women.
Drosopoulos, M. (2020). Change Starts from the Neighbourhood: Ten Years of Euro-Arab Youth Cooperation. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
Scientific Talks
‘The social inclusion of young refugees in Europe: Preliminary findings of the review of the Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)4’. Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 21 June 2025.
‘In search of autonomy: Young dislocated Ukrainians in Europe challenging migration regimes and attitudes through online activism’. University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, 13 September 2024
‘Secondary trauma among researchers: insights from field research experience in Kosovo and Ukraine’. Invisible University for Ukraine, CUI, Vienna, 12 April 2024.
‘Postwar reconstruction and nation branding in Ukraine’. University of Kharkiv, Ukraine. December 2023.
‘Ukrainian Refugees (Re-)Introducing Themselves to European Societies: The Role of (E-) Diasporas in Co-shaping a New Narrative of Nationhood and Belonging’. Graduation Conference. Swiss National Center of Competence in Research –The Migration-Mobility Nexus. Switzerland: University of Neuchâtel. 11 July 2023.
‘Study session on the inclusion of young refugees’. Guest lecture at the European Youth Centre of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. 15 May 2023.
‘Building resilience against disinformation; from citizens to institutions’. Spread of disinformation during the pandemic and its impact on the Western Balkans. Sarajevo: Regional Cooperation Council and OBCT, 8 July 2021.
‘Education Policy Roundtable’. Presentation of policy note for the creation of a separate fund within the Kosovo Ministry of Education. Museum of Kosova. 18 June 2021.
‘Youth mobilities opening horizons’. Bilateral youth cooperation office, Greece-North Macedonia. December 2020.