Education

MA Social Research (Distinction), University of Sheffield

BA Political Science, Freie Universität Berlin

Biography

Rositsa has over 15 years of experience delivering high-quality research and consultancy projects in the field of security and EU home affairs, spanning the non-government, academic, and private sectors. She leads the Democracy Shield Taskforce at the Center, addressing security threats stemming from foreign information manipulation and interference, social polarisation, and radicalisation.

Rositsa has extensive research and program development experience in the field of prevention of radicalisation and violent extremism (P/CVE) and counter-terrorism. Previously, she was Deputy Director of the International Affairs Department at the Violence Prevention Network, Germany, where she worked in the field of disengagement from violence. As a senior expert at the European Commission’s Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN), she delivered actionable research and facilitated knowledge exchange on P/CVE between practitioners and policymakers from across the EU and the Western Balkans.

Rositsa was previously the Director of the Security Program at CSD, where she coordinated research on P/CVE, organised crime, corruption, informal and underground economies, asset forfeiture, irregular migration, policing and border control, and security sector reform.

Earlier in her career, she worked as a political analyst and business intelligence consultant at the global risk consultancy Control Risks in Berlin and London, where she provided in-depth risk assessments and forecasts related to organised crime, security and terrorism risks, political stability, corruption, and state capture in Central and Southeast Europe. She further advised multinational clients on the risks of reputational and integrity damage, fraudulent or hostile commercial activities, and association with organised crime.