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 seek ways of making 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 dozens of psychology and self-help books, coach ambitious individuals, and constantly seek connections with communities outside of my own bubble.
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 have conducted inter-disciplinary research to better understand how we can optimise global information systems. 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 and prosperous for all.
I have accumulated have 10 years of experience as an editor and consultant in diplomacy, strategic communication, and international security. Former clients include: European Commission (DG NEAR), Royal Military Academy of Belgium, NATO Centre of Excellence.
I am currently completing a PhD at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University (campus The Hague). There, I write on misinformation and related policies in Europe. My doctoral dissertation seeks to answer two key questions. First, why did counter-disinformation policies emerge the way they did in the EU? Second, how have EU counter-disinformation policies evolved since their origins? I also teach undergraduate students (EU foreign policy, 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 ways of replenishing and resting. This helps me be a more innovative and motivated person. Some have called me a chameleon for my capacity to adapt and showcase different aspects of my personality… 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 entrepreneurial and creative. I absolutely love to try and learn new things.
I live between The Hague (Netherlands) and Tulum (Mexico). I fill my free time by exploring nature, practicing yoga, dancing to electronic music, and writing for this blog. 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.
Recent Academic Publications
What does a PhD candidate do exactly?
PhD candidates pursue a degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the highest academic diploma. They must produce original research to expand the boundaries of knowledge in their field (mine is Politics, Security, and International Relations).
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 academic writing and global governance. I also regularly participate in conferences, deliver guest lectures, and moderate public events.
Recently, my work has focused on European foreign and security policy, misinformation, technology, democracy, and relations with Ukraine and Russia. In my PhD thesis, I look at the evolution of information “order” and why/how it has come to be perceived as a matter of security, focusing on European counter-disinformation policies. I reveal the strategies used by (small) states to influence policy-making and examine their implications on society and democracy.
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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:
Entrepreneurship
As part of the Europaeum Scholars programme, I built a social enterprise together with 8 other researchers. Level Up aims to improve democracy in Europe through gamification.
Coaching
I offer personal coaching services to individuals seeking to improve their personal and professional lives, specialising in supporting ambitious students and digital nomads.
Editorship
I contribute to The Hague Journal of Diplomacy as their Book Review Editor. In that role, I have actively emphasised feminist work and progressive outlooks on diplomacy and global affairs.
Policy Analysis
I have been associated with the Global Governance Institute and The Hague Program on International Cyber Security for policy-oriented research projects about Ukraine and mis/disinformation. For three years, I supported Oxford University’s “Europe’s Stories” project, which explores narratives about Europe.
Strategic Communication
I worked as a Consultant for the EU’s largest 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 flagship activity of DG NEAR (European Commission).
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 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 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 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 design 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 close to 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, especially climate 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 — i.e. 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 leave aside the seriousness of my work to 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 urgently needed; however, individual profit and comfort is often prioritised over public good. I hope to contribute to healing humanity by developing more conscious global means of education and communication.
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
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)