Gerda Raissar

I'm a DPhil candidate in International Relations at St Antony’s College. Prior to starting my DPhil, I completed a BSocSc (Hons) in Politics and International Relations at the University of Manchester and an MPhil in International Relations at the University of Oxford.

I teach International Relations Core tutorials.

My research focuses on decision-making on EU sanctions. Each member state has the right to veto most decisions in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the adoption and extension of sanctions. The veto right is used less frequently than member states’ different foreign policy traditions, priorities, and preferences might lead us to expect. Interestingly, member states with blocking preferences on sanctions occasionally refrain from using their veto right and choose to cooperate. My research seeks to explain why.