Meet the Commissioner:
Maria Beatriz de Abreu Afonso
After graduating in Communication Design from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Lisbon, Maria Beatriz has completed a Masters in Anthropology at the Nova University in 2022 with the thesis “Anthropology and the invisible: the decolonization of anthropological thought through poetry”.
Since 2020, she has been writing and presenting several collections of poetry and she has written for artists, while working as a creative copywriter at McCann Lisbon.
In September 2023, she began her PhD in Anthropology with a focus on Artistic Practices. There, she joined IFIL-Nova's "Mapping Philosophy as a Way of Life" research project, where she wrote the article "Spiritual exercises beyond feminism: meditations on Simone Weil”. In 2025, she joined CRIA - Centro em Rede de Investigação em Antropologia.
Her PhD research aims to provide a space to imagine new utopias while exploring different ontologies and methodologies with indigenous artists from Brazil. She believes we are able to change reality, as long as we do not give up on hoping, imagining and commit to finding a better one.
Meet the Fellows:
Ali Benrabah
Carlotta Ferracina
Ali Benrabah
Ali is a second-year Politics and International Studies student at the University of Warwick, with a deep interest in European identity, foreign affairs, and public policy. As a Research Fellow for VOYCE’s Commission on European Identity, he aims to contributes to research exploring how shared values, histories, and civic participation ca
Ali is a second-year Politics and International Studies student at the University of Warwick, with a deep interest in European identity, foreign affairs, and public policy. As a Research Fellow for VOYCE’s Commission on European Identity, he aims to contributes to research exploring how shared values, histories, and civic participation can foster a stronger and more inclusive sense of belonging across Europe.
Outside of Voyce, Ali also works as a Political Analyst at the Warwick Think Tank Society, where he authored policy briefs and position papers on foreign affairs topics ranging from democratic transitions in North Africa to security dynamics in East Asia. He also serves as Head of Research at the Warwick African Business Society, coordinating cross-sectoral collaboration and publishing regular reports on political and economic trends relevant to the continent.
Beyond his academic and policy work, Ali is passionate about traveling and hopes to pursue a career in international affairs or diplomacy. Through his involvement at VOYCE, he seeks to amplify youth perspectives and contribute to a future-oriented European identity rooted in diversity, democracy, and global engagement.
Aidan Cross
Carlotta Ferracina
Ali Benrabah
Aidan Cross is a British graduate of International Relations and Chinese at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His core interests include matters concerning Russian and Chinese foreign policy, as well as a more recent emphasis on how English and European identity can be brought closer together following the aftermath of
Aidan Cross is a British graduate of International Relations and Chinese at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His core interests include matters concerning Russian and Chinese foreign policy, as well as a more recent emphasis on how English and European identity can be brought closer together following the aftermath of Brexit.
Currently, he is set to intern with the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade, working in the Sanctions and Export Control Directorate. Following this, he will also be involved with a research project at the LSE’s Language Centre, analysing the use of populist language by leaders across Europe.
With regards to his engagements outside of VOYCE, he also volunteers as a Eurasia Desk Analyst for Global Weekly, a geopolitical risk group, where he writes articles on recent regional developments.
Carlotta Ferracina
Carlotta Ferracina
Carlotta Ferracina
Carlotta Ferracina is an Italian student that has lived in Paris, Zurich, Miami, and Singapore, an experience that shaped her interest for global affairs, cultural diversity, and human rights. She is currently in South Korea studying Political Science and International Relations at Yonsei University.
Carlotta has a strong commitment to so
Carlotta Ferracina is an Italian student that has lived in Paris, Zurich, Miami, and Singapore, an experience that shaped her interest for global affairs, cultural diversity, and human rights. She is currently in South Korea studying Political Science and International Relations at Yonsei University.
Carlotta has a strong commitment to social change and justice, she is active in volunteering with Libera Italia, an NGO that focuses on combatting the mafia/organised crime, corruption, and systemic injustice.
Carlotta is particularly passionate about human rights advocacy, with a focus on marginalized communities and the intersection of policy and social justice. Her international background continues to influence her academic and volunteer work, reinforcing her belief in cross-cultural collaboration as a force for meaningful political change.
Edoardo Nepi
Gaïa Molinaro
Carlotta Ferracina
Edoardo Nepi is starting his third year at Gabriele D'Annunzio University, where he is studying linguistic mediation and intercultural communication. He is particularly interested in how international relations are shaped by geopolitics, politics, mediation, and cross-cultural exchange. He studied at the Oslo School of Architecture and De
Edoardo Nepi is starting his third year at Gabriele D'Annunzio University, where he is studying linguistic mediation and intercultural communication. He is particularly interested in how international relations are shaped by geopolitics, politics, mediation, and cross-cultural exchange. He studied at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) in Norway for two years, which expanded his understanding of the world and strengthened his appreciation for intercultural communication. He turned his attention to languages after returning to Italy, where he cultivated a strong command of the language and a strong dedication to intercultural understanding. Edoardo aspires to work within the European Union, contributing to diplomacy, policy, and cultural cooperation. His academic path and international background reflect his dedication to building bridges between communities in an increasingly interconnected world.
Gaïa Molinaro
Gaïa Molinaro
Gaïa Molinaro
Gaïa Molinaro is a French-Italian student starting her second year of BSc in Economics and Social Sciences at Bocconi University. She is drawn to political sciences and geopolitics since her 3-year experience gained as a delegate at the Model United Nations in Geneva. Determined and passionate, she is deeply convinced that her generation
Gaïa Molinaro is a French-Italian student starting her second year of BSc in Economics and Social Sciences at Bocconi University. She is drawn to political sciences and geopolitics since her 3-year experience gained as a delegate at the Model United Nations in Geneva. Determined and passionate, she is deeply convinced that her generation needs to take ownership of their future and can make a difference. She believes in the value of building a stronger Europe and considers European identity as an essential foundation. Gaïa is experienced in various forms of art; she has been practicing dance in competitions since the age of 4, individually and in teams. As a result, she understands the power of culture and the importance of it to federate a united society. She hopes to pursue a career as a diplomat in order to bring people together and align them around shared ideas.