Author Archive for: Stephanie Govaerts

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Entries by Stephanie Govaerts

Alessandro Dell’Orto on working in the Datalab, collaborative research and building his academic path

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Hi! My name is Alessandro Dell’Orto and I live in Delft as I have for the last 1.5 years. I’m Italian, but moved to the Netherlands to start a master’s degree in Engineering and Policy Analysis at TU Delft. The reason being that I wanted to specialise in applying hard-science knowledge and techniques to policy problems. The same drive led me towards this HCSS Data Internship. I am planning to pursue a PhD after I graduate, and during my HCSS internship extension, I will be working on several projects that will lead to an academic publication.

New Report | Frontiers of Influence: Counter Measures to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference in the Grey Zone

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The report Frontiers of Influence analyses Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) across Europe’s Eastern borders. The study highlights a shift toward “whole-of-society” models, noting that high-capacity states like Estonia treat information defense as a “continuous governmental task.”Recommendation: To move beyond reactive measures, states must implement a proactive, layered defense integrating strategic communication, regulatory enforcement, and deep societal resilience. Safeguarding democracy requires “not only technical tools but also sustained political will and societal cohesion.”

Marit Weurding on how ‘De Strateeg’ led her to HCSS, mentorship and growing in confidence

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So what’s it like being an intern at HCSS? Marit Weurding talks about working at a fastpaced, independent thinktank, personal growth, mentorship and serious gaming in turbulent times: I first found out about HCSS through its podcast ‘de Strateeg’, which I listened to religiously. HCSS’ relevant and interdisciplinary focus of research combined with a group of high-level experts seemed like the perfect environment to gain my first-ever working experience.

HCSS Datalab Internship (start May-June 2026 / Open until April)

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The Datalab of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies offers an exciting internship to aspiring data scientists. Our clients include major corporations, key government ministries, development aid agencies, and security providers, both domestic and global. The HCSS data internship therefore offers invaluable experience working on some of the most significant global issues of our time. Candidates should either have a strong quantitative background or demonstrated affinity for all things quantitative. They should also demonstrate transferable programming skills, as well as a keen interest in the topics covered by HCSS policy research.

The HCSS Datalab launches: Chinese Latent Activity and Related Interference Scanner (CLARIS)

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HCSS has launched CLARIS, a new interactive dashboard mapping verified Chinese hybrid threat activity against small and middle powers in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Complementary to the report Responding to China’s Hybrid Threats: Strategic Postures for Small and Middle Powers, the tool offers a transparent, data-driven overview of trends, country exposure, and individual incidents since 2010.

Alexander Krabbendam on how he went from professional chef to HCSS, cybersecurity schools and NATO

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Hi! My name is Alexander Krabbendam. I grew up in Scotland to Dutch parents and am currently studying an Erasmus Mundus Masters in European Politics and Society. I first learned about HCSS when I spoke at the NATO Youth Summit in Budva, Montenegro. Another speaker happened to be Sofia Romansky (a strategic analyst at HCSS) and she told me all about the work HCSS does, which immediately fascinated me. Knowing I would be living in the Hague for my studies, I thought the stars were aligning pretty well.

New Report | Reweaving Silk Roads: The Middle Corridor’s Role in EU Economic Security

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Reweaving Silk Roads examines the Middle Corridor as a strategic lifeline for EU economic security. Stretching from China through the South Caucasus and across the Caspian Sea to Central Asia and Turkey, this route offers a vital alternative to traditional trade corridors amid geopolitical tensions. The study analyzes economic, political, infrastructure, and security dimensions, assessing risks from regional instability and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and explores how the EU can strengthen resilience, diversify supply chains, and foster sustainable regional partnerships.

Student visit | LUC Nexus

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HCSS was pleased to welcome students from LUC Nexus to our office for an in-depth introduction to our work in geopolitics, defence, and security. The student visit was led by Strategic Analysts Fiona DeCuyper and Laura Jasper. HCSS thanks LUC Nexus for their engagement and thoughtful questions. We value opportunities to connect with the next generation of strategic thinkers and look forward to continued collaboration.

Laurence Krakow on working a nine-to-five, critical raw materials and writing her own Snapshot

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Hi! My name is Laurence Krakow and I am from Belgium. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Leiden University, and I am now completing a second degree in Earth Sciences at TU Delft. What initially drew me to HCSS was their research on critical raw materials and their supply chains. I believe it is one of the few think tanks in the Netherlands working on these topics, which really intrigued me. Naturally, HCSS seemed like a good fit.

Sofia Romansky Expert Talk | AI’s Impact on Military Intelligence and Decision-Making

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On Monday, the 9th of February, Sofia Romansky, Strategic Analyst at HCSS and project coordinator for GC REAIM, gave an expert talk at Utrecht University examining the expanding role of AI in defense. She highlighted both its opportunities and the ethical, legal, and operational challenges it presents. Central to the discussion is a crucial question: how should we rethink human agency in an era of increasingly intelligent systems?

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