Heather Grabbe
Heather Grabbe is a senior fellow at Bruegel, as well as visiting professor at University College London and KU Leuven. The focus of her research is the political economy of the European Green Deal and how the climate transition will change the EU’s international relationships and external policies.
She is a political scientist who has served as director of the Open Society European Policy Institute in Brussels, and earlier as deputy director of the Centre for European Reform in London. She conducted academic research at the European University Institute, Chatham House, Oxford and Birmingham universities, as well as teaching at the London School of Economics. From 2004 to 2009 Heather was senior advisor to then European Commissioner Olli Rehn, responsible in his Cabinet for policy on the Balkans and Turkey. She has written extensively on the political economy of EU enlargement, the EU’s external and neighbourhood policies, and the evolution of new policy agendas in climate, digital and the rule of law. Her columns appear in the Financial Times, Politico and other quality media.
Heather earned her PhD at Birmingham University, and her first degree in politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford University, where she also had a post-doctoral fellowship. She is fluent in English, French and Italian, with working level German.
Disclaimer of external interests
Featured work
Financial tools for biodiversity
This invitation-only workshop aims to stimulate a better-informed policy discussion on how to develop financial tools for biodiversity
The push-pull between geopolitics and domestic resistance: lessons from the 2004 enlargement of the EU
Geopolitics is now a chief concern of political leaders in both the EU and candidate countries, giving them strong reasons to integrate more closely
The impact on the European Union of Ukraine’s potential future accession
This report evaluates the impact on the EU of a possible EU accession of Ukraine, focusing on economic consequences and institutional developments.
Democracy Tour: The Eleventh Hour to strengthen democracy in the EU?
At this event, VP Věra Jourová addressed how to strengthen democratic resilience amidst today's complex landscape
Two years later: addressing long-term consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The event marked the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, focusing on discussions about sanctions, accession, and energy
Ukraine’s path to European Union membership and its long-term implications
The war complicates the accession process, but Ukraine can work progressively towards meeting the entry conditions
Sustainable Transitions: unraveling the complex threads of global economic and personal change
How does the shift to a sustainable economy impact individuals, considering aspects like career changes, health, housing, and life satisfaction?
How can the EU keep its credibility for accession conditionality to work?
New U.S. Industrial policy, subsidies competition and economic security
This closed-door event will explore the economic ramifications of industrial subsidies in the transatlantic economy
'Green tech partnership' offers way to de-risk while decarbonizing
Dependence on China carries supply risks beyond just geopolitics
Rule of law rules future European Union enlargement
Clearer rule of law standards are needed to prevent strategic use of corruption in both enlargement countries and the current EU.
De-risking and decarbonising: a green tech partnership to reduce reliance on China
Greater alignment of the major economic powers is needed around a collective effort to improve security of supply for decarbonisation goods.
How to de-risk dependence on China while decarbonising
How should the EU manage its dependence on China for clean tech?
How can a clean tech partnership de-risk and decarbonise global supply chains?
Bruegel Annual Meetings, 6-7 September 2023
A symphony in progress: shaping a new agenda for Europe
How big is China’s global economic footprint? Takeaways for the European Union
Democratic Resilience in light of the 2024 EU elections
EU3D Final Policy Dialogue
The EU needs to move faster on valuing nature
National governments tend to backpeddle on green policies when challenged by self-interested voters.
Shifting taxes in order to achieve green goals
How could shifting the tax burden from labour to pollution and resources help the EU reach its climate goals?
Transition for all: equal opportunities in an unequal world
How inclusive is growth in transition countries? Post-communist countries are becoming more prosperous but many people are being left behind, risking