Visiting researcher: Ximena Aguilar

About Ximena Aguilar

Ximena Aguilar studied International Relations at the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where she developed a strong academic interest in European Union studies and the political dynamics shaping European integration. Throughout her academic formation, she focused on understanding how political processes within European institutions interact with broader debates about governance, legitimacy, and the future of the European project. Her research interests revolve around European politics, institutional dynamics, and the evolving challenges facing the European Union in an increasingly complex political landscape.

Her research project and interests

Her current research focuses on the political transformations taking place within the European Parliament and their broader implications for the process of European integration. In particular, she explores how changing political balances and the increasing visibility of far-right actors within European politics interact with ongoing debates about democratic legitimacy, political fragmentation, and institutional governance in the European Union. Through a qualitative and theoretically oriented approach, her work seeks to analyze how these developments shape political discourse within EU institutions and challenge traditional narratives surrounding consensus, representation, and the integration process.

More broadly, her research aims to understand how political contestation within European institutions reflects deeper tensions within the European project itself. Questions surrounding democratic deficit, institutional legitimacy, and the capacity of the European Union to maintain cohesion in the face of growing political fragmentation are central to her work. By examining these dynamics through the lens of parliamentary politics, she seeks to contribute to broader discussions about the resilience and future trajectory of European integration.

Why did she choose IEE-ULB?

She chose the Institute for European Studies (IEE-ULB) as the host institution for her research stay because of its long-standing academic tradition in European studies and its unique location in Brussels, at the heart of European political life. The opportunity to conduct research in a city where the main institutions of the European Union are based provides an invaluable context for anyone studying European governance and integration. Being able to situate her research within this environment allows her to observe and reflect on European political debates from a closer institutional perspective.

Her supervisor at IEE-ULB

During her time at the IEE-ULB, under the supervision of Professor Ramona Coman, her main academic goal has been to further strengthen the analytical and theoretical foundations of her research. Access to the Institute’s academic resources, specialized materials, and research environment has been extremely valuable in advancing her work. In addition, attending seminars, conferences, and academic discussions organized at the Institute has provided important opportunities to engage with scholars working on European politics, democratic governance, and institutional change.

Participating in this intellectually stimulating environment has also allowed her to exchange ideas with researchers from different academic backgrounds and perspectives, enriching the way she approaches questions related to European integration and contemporary political challenges within the European Union.

Overall, this research stay has been an invaluable experience for the development of her work. The combination of academic exchange, access to research resources, and proximity to the European institutions has provided an exceptional setting to deepen her understanding of contemporary political dynamics within the European Union and to further develop her research within the broader field of European studies.