Meet Sophie
In an increasingly polarised world,
appreciating differences becomes of the utmost importance.
Acceptance and openness are two essential aspects of social relations for the future of humanity. Quoting Albert Einstein, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding”.
Hello!
My name is Sophie Vériter, but my friends call me Pomme.
I strive to make the world a better place by incorporating insights from my experiences and research. My passion for life-long learning has led me to spend over a decade in academia, read mountains of psychology and self-help books, and seek connections with communities outside of my own bubble. Freedom of expression and information is of the utmost importance to me, hence why I constantly look for ways to empower individuals to navigate our increasingly complex world.
I graduated with a MPhil from the University of Oxford and I am now about to finish a PhD in Security and Global Affairs from Leiden University. In that capacity, I research how we can optimise information ecosystems, balancing between strategic interests and human rights. I’ve been exploring what complexity theory, statistical physics, quantum, and AI can contribute to that goal.
More broadly, I’m interested in the intersections between global politics, security, technology, communications, and democracy. My objective is, above all, to contribute to making our time on earth more peaceful for all. This rests on fair and transparent systems, which I continuously try to create around me.
I have a decade of experience as an editor and consultant in diplomacy, strategic communication, and international security, and have spoken at over 200 events worldwide.
I am currently completing a PhD at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University (campus The Hague). There, I write scientific papers on misinformation and related policies in Europe. I also teach undergraduate students (about international security, EU foreign policy, and global governance). Some of my top priorities at work are promoting diversity, inclusivity, equity, and wellbeing.
Whilst I am very passionate about my professional career, it is also very important for me to find other ways of learning, as well as to replenish and rest. This helps me be a more innovative and motivated person. Some have called me a chameleon for my capacity to adapt… I think connecting with empathy and keeping a curious mind is what helps me transform continuously. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been creative. I absolutely love to try and learn new things, especially when that supports causes I care deeply about.
I am based in The Hague (Netherlands) and travel as much as possible. I fill my free time by exploring nature, reading, practicing yoga, dancing, and writing. I consider myself an enthusiastic feminist and self-care advocate. Learning about trauma healing and psychology allows me to expand my academic perspectives. I am convinced that we can optimise the way we communicate with each other to ultimately better understand our collective existence on earth and how we can make the most of it.
My Core Values
Freedom
Freedom is the cornerstone of open, creative, and democratic societies.
Transparency
Clear and accountable systems empower people through access to facts.
Justice
Justice is essential for lasting peace and shared economic prosperity.
Recent Academic Publications
What does a PhD candidate do exactly?
PhD candidates pursue a degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the highest academic diploma. They produce original research to expand knowledge in their field (mine is Politics and International Relations). My academic work has focused on European foreign and security policy, misinformation, technology, democracy, and EU relations with Ukraine, Russia, and the post-soviet space.
At Leiden University, I am employed to produce scientific research and provide teaching support at the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs. My research consists in collecting data, analysing it, and transferring that knowledge in different formats. I have published in scientific journals, monographs, and online publications. I teach university classes on international security and global governance. I also regularly participate in conferences, deliver guest lectures, and moderate public events.
In my PhD thesis, I look at how governments influence information governance through digital, media, and foreign policies. I critically analyse how this impact society and democracy, for example examining if it disproportionally restricts freedom of expression, or if it is backed by democratic legitimacy. It led me the think about the evolution of information “order” and why/how it has come to be perceived as a matter of security.
Committed to Impact
It is essential for me to transfer the knowledge and skills I’ve gained into practice. Alongside my studies, several activities help me make an impact:
Democracy Activism
As part of the Europaeum Scholars programme, I built an inter-disciplinary research lab together with eight other researchers. Our project Level Up aimed to improve participatory and deliberative democracy in Europe through gamification.
Editorial
I contribute to The Hague Journal of Diplomacy as their Book Reviews Editor. In that role, I have actively emphasised feminist work and progressive outlooks on diplomacy and global affairs.
Policy Analysis
I have conducted policy analysis for the Global Governance Institute, The Hague Program on International Cyber Security, and Oxford University’s “Europe’s Stories” project. I specialise in media and digital policies, as well as foreign and security policy.
Strategic Communications
I provided consulting services, among others, for the largest EU public diplomacy programme. Over two years, I created a launched the ‘Young European Ambassadors‘ initiative active in the EU, UK, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, now a flagship activity of DG NEAR (European Commission).
Coaching
I offer personal coaching services to individuals seeking to improve their personal and professional lives, specialising in supporting ambitious students and digital nomads.
Purpose-driven work
My passion for social transformation has always driven my work and studies. I firmly believe that our world is currently at a crossroads of innovation and ideological renewal. The changes we make in the following decades will have a crucial impact on the next generations of humanity.
I am convinced that embracing our complexity and diversity (of thoughts, identity, cognition, race, ethnicity, …) is crucial to help us progress as societies. As Wellbeing, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equal Opportunities Representative at Leiden University, I strive to make difficult conversations more integral part of our daily lives. I advocate and create systems for positive change among our community.
My broader objectives are to contribute to new forms of democratic participation, conscious global communication, and more accessible means of education.
Recorded Talks
In 2024, I was invited to speak at the Athens Democracy Forum, organised by the Democracy and Culture Foundation and The New York Times. On this occasion, I had the chance to give a short speech about the power of using gamification to optimise participatory and deliberative democracy.
In 2023, I was invited to participate in the World Forum for Democracy organised by the Council of Europe. I presented ‘Level Up: We Gamify Democracy’, the project I developed with eight other PhD researchers as a Europaeum Scholar.
Europaeum Scholars
In 2022, I was selected to join the Europaeum Network, which connects scholars across 18 leading European universities. Together with other ambitious PhD candidates, we collaboratively designed original policy recommendations to shape the future of Europe. Our cohort met every three months in a different location for two years. We exchanged with renowned scientists, social entrepreneurs, public institutions, cultural figures, philosophers, and more.
Travel Experience
Having lived in 5 countries and visited above 40, solo or with friends, I consider myself an experienced traveller.
I have always had a passion for discovering new places, cultures, and people. When I turned 18, I decided to leave my home country, Belgium, to study in Spain. This instilled a passion for travel I carried with me ever since.
I have visited Europe extensively, from North to South and West to East. In my previous public diplomacy role, I went on regular missions for the EU to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Some of my favourite recent leisure trips included Argentina, Morocco, Italy, Bali, Greece, and Israel.
I have recently ventured to explore farther parts of the world, including Asia, North America, and Central and South America. Their breathtaking landscapes and unique cultures have brought me closer to earth and reinvigorated my will to contribute to global justice.
Mindset
Growing up in a modest background and a turbulent family, I developed resilience from an early age. Challenges have arisen throughout my life, which made me determined to seek and create a life that would allow freedom, health, and happiness.
With time, I learned to embrace challenges as learning experiences. I discovered that my vulnerabilities could be an advantage, as they make me uniquely strong.
What is this website about?
In today’s digital world, it is extremely easy to linger in echo-chambers: bubbles of people who think similarly. It is particularly important to connect with others beyond such bubbles to achieve meaningful impact and learn from diverse perspectives.
Diversity enriches our understanding of the world and, therefore, the solution we can come up with to improve it! This is what I strive to achieve through my work, travel, and online community. As Sophie Pomme, I connect with individuals beyond academia and policy-making circles.
I believe in a more inclusive, direct, and democratic global society. Community-based outlooks which focus on future generations are needed; however, individual profit and comfort is often prioritised over public good. I hope to contribute to this optimisation by developing more conscious global means of communication and education.
For this reason, I want to provide resources to:
- young scholars pursuing their dreams in academia
- global travellers seeking to better understand the world
- life-long learners who seek new knowledge & skills
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Sophie in the media
- Interview with Sophie Vériter, Bachelor in International Affairs Alumna (Brussels School of Governance, September 2024)
- ‘Level Up’ to reconnect European society for a higher level of democracy (Leiden University, 15 June 2023)
- Sophie Vériter (MPhil European Politics and Society, 2021) tells us about her journey to Oxford and her time at St Antony’s (University of Oxford, 1 October 2022)
- Meet the four Leiden participants in the Europaeum Scholars Programme (Leiden University, 5 April 2022)
- Interview with Sophie Vériter | Europe’s Stories – Moments (University of Oxford, 25 May 2020)