The former adviser to Moldova’s prime minister will explore the social dimension of EU enlargement.
The Hertie School is pleased to announce that Corina Ajder, former Advisor on Labour and Social Protection to the Prime Minister of Moldova, has been selected as the 2026–2027 Henrik Enderlein Fellow, continuing the school’s commitment to supporting outstanding scholarship in European governance, economic policy, and democracy.
Ajder succeeds the 2025–2026 fellow, international security expert Marija Golubeva. She will formally receive the fellowship during the public lecture and discussion, “What Makes Europe Resilient? Security, Social Cohesion and State Capacity in an Age of Geopolitical Conflict”, at the Hertie School on 1 October.
A bridge between policymaking and research
“We are delighted to welcome Corina Ajder as our fifth Henrik Enderlein Fellow,” says Andrea Römmele, Dean of Executive Education at the Hertie School. “Her leadership in labour and social policy reform in the context of EU accession, together with her alignment with the Hertie School’s research priorities, makes her an ideal fit for the fellowship.”
Ajder brings extensive experience in democratic governance, public-sector reform, and strategic communications. Throughout her career, she has worked to strengthen public institutions and improve policymaking processes – themes that closely align with the Hertie School’s mission.
Currently a Technical Specialist at the International Labour Organization, Ajder previously served as Advisor on Labour and Social Protection in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Moldova and as State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Earlier in her career, she held positions at several non-governmental organizations, including the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Moldova and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR).
Drawing on firsthand experience with public-sector reform and EU accession, Ajder will bring a valuable practitioner perspective to the Hertie School community, helping to connect academic research with policymaking practice.
Henrik Enderlein’s legacy: An integrated and enlarged Europe
A committed advocate for European cooperation, Henrik Enderlein believed the EU’s future depended on both deeper integration and a stronger, more cohesive Europe. Ajder’s research on the social dimension of enlargement speaks directly to this vision.
During her fellowship, Ajder will examine the evolving social dimension of EU enlargement and develop practical recommendations for EU institutions, international organizations, and governments involved in accession processes.
“Enlargement has traditionally been understood through the lens of economic reform, the rule of law, and governance,” says Ajder. “My project examines whether and how labour rights and social protection are becoming more integral to the accession process, drawing on evidence from Moldova, Ukraine, and the Western Balkans.”
Ajder will pursue this research in close collaboration with the Hertie School’s Jacques Delors Centre, which will host her fellowship. In addition to her research, she will teach a practice-oriented course on the intersection of policy and politics, internal reform advocacy, and the EU’s and international organizations’ roles in supporting reform processes.
“Being selected as a 2026–2027 Henrik Enderlein Fellow is a great honour and an exciting opportunity to reflect on Moldova’s recent labour and social reforms in the broader context of EU enlargement,” says Ajder. “I look forward to collaborating with practitioners and academics at the Jacques Delors Centre to explore how the European Union supports labour and social reforms in accession countries, and how enlargement can become a stronger driver of social convergence alongside economic and institutional transformation.”
Thanks to former Fellow Marija Golubeva
This year’s event will also honour outgoing Henrik Enderlein Fellow Marija Golubeva, who spent her fellowship year at the Centre for International Security, researching EU responses to hybrid threats and contributing to the Hertie School’s Executive Education programme.
“Marija Golubeva’s research on EU policy responses to hybrid threats at the Centre for International Security and her teaching in our Executive Education programme have been an asset to our university,” said Dean Römmele. “We are grateful for her engagement and very much look forward to reading the output of the research she conducted here.”
About the Henrik Enderlein Fellowship
The Henrik Enderlein Fellowship commemorates Henrik Enderlein, the late President of the Hertie School and founder of the Jacques Delors Centre. It is awarded annually to outstanding individuals dedicated to a strong European Union and enables regular research stays at the Hertie School for scholars, policymakers, and academics. The fellowship contributes to building networks that bring together stakeholders from science, policy, and politics to tackle urgent issues on the European and national agenda. The Henrik Enderlein Fellowship is funded by Stiftung Mercator.
About Stiftung Mercator
Stiftung Mercator is a private, independent and non-profit organisation that operates on the basis of scientific expertise and practical project experience. Since 1996, it has been committed to fostering a solidary and participatory society. To this end, it supports and develops initiatives that improve opportunities for participation and strengthen social cohesion. Stiftung Mercator advocates for a capable and democratic Europe, a rights-based digital transformation of the state and society, and a resilient, socially balanced climate policy. These objectives can only be realised within a liberal democracy, one that Stiftung Mercator seeks to defend and strengthen – as expressed in its motto: #StandingUpForDemocracy. The foundation is active in Germany, across Europe, and globally. It maintains a strong connection to the Ruhr region, home to the founding family and the foundation’s headquarters.
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