Maria Abruzzo

Maria Abruzzo joined Notre Dame in September 2023 and serves as Research and Partnership Program Specialist at Notre Dame Rome. She supports the design and implementation of research initiatives with both campus and regional partners. In this role, she also manages program budgets, operational and administrative functions/needs of research programs; immigration and legal compliance procedures.

In coordination with the Associate Director for Student Programs, she contributes to the execution of graduate and postdoctoral programs in Rome. She also advises and supports the ND Rome Director in establishing and fostering partnerships and collaborations with regional universities, institutes, and other entities.

Maria is PhD candidate at the "Gregorio Peces-Barba" Human Rights Institute - Carlos III University Madrid (Spain). Her main research interests concern the interconnection between human rights and security; the fight against violent radicalisation and terrorism, while complying with international human rights standards.

Prior to joining Notre Dame, she served the European Commission. She worked for the “Publications Office of the European Union” (Luxembourg), the official provider of publishing services to all EU institutions, bodies, and agencies.

Additionally, Maria was research fellow at the “Sangalli Institute for the religious history and cultures”, based in Florence (Italy), where she carried out a study examining new forms of racism and radicalisation of intolerance in Tuscany, with special regard to Islamic, Jewish and Sikh communities.

She also served as Human Rights Education Program Officer at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italy (Florence).