Research and commentary on European politics, social policy, migration, and welfare states.
I write about how institutions, labour markets, and welfare regimes shape political and social outcomes across Europe.
Featured Writing
Why Southern Europe Keeps Producing Insiders and Outsiders
Dualised labour markets and the political economy of fragmented social protection in Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal.
Reading the Draghi Report Against the Welfare State
Competitiveness, productivity, and the missing social dimension of the EU's industrial agenda.
What 'Activation' Means in Practice
A comparative look at how active labour market policies are implemented across regimes and what survives translation.
Research Areas
European Politics
EU institutions, member-state dynamics, and political economy.
Social Policy
Welfare design, decommodification, and policy regimes.
Migration
Labour migration, integration, and political effects.
Unemployment
Labour market risk, insurance, and active policy.
Welfare States
Comparative regimes across Northern, Continental, Liberal, and Southern Europe.
Political Economy
Institutions, labour markets, and distributive outcomes.
Latest from the Blog
Why Southern Europe Keeps Producing Insiders and Outsiders
Dualised labour markets and the political economy of fragmented social protection in Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal.
Reading the Draghi Report Against the Welfare State
Competitiveness, productivity, and the missing social dimension of the EU's industrial agenda.
What 'Activation' Means in Practice
A comparative look at how active labour market policies are implemented across regimes and what survives translation.
Migration Statistics, Carefully
Five methodological pitfalls when reasoning from aggregate migration data to political conclusions.
Continental Welfare States and the Care Question
Why the Bismarckian model struggles with ageing, fertility, and the social investment turn.
European Unemployment Insurance: Still a Long Way Off
From SURE to a permanent reinsurance scheme: where the political constraints actually bind.
About Maria
Maria Saridou is interested in the politics of welfare states, migration, unemployment, and European social policy. Her work combines comparative political analysis with attention to how institutions shape real social outcomes across the European Union.
Learn more about MariaAcademic and research inquiries
For writing, collaborations, research opportunities, or academic correspondence, feel free to get in touch.
Contact Maria →