René Hofer

Intern

René Hofer is a European Affairs graduate of Sciences Po Paris (cum Laude – Top 10% of students), where he focused on EU internal policies and external action — particularly enlargement, industrial policy, trade, and security & defense. He previously earned his Bachelor’s in International Politics, Law & Economics at the University of Milan with highest honors (cum Laude), receiving the Claudia Augusta Prize for his thesis on South Tyrol’s autonomy. He spent a semester at Kōbe University (神戸大学) in Japan, focusing on EU–Japan economic and political relations within the Faculty of Law. As part of the German-speaking minority from South Tyrol, Italy, he is fluent in German, Italian, English, and French, with intermediate knowledge of Spanish.

Before joining the Martens Centre, he gained hands-on experience across the EU policymaking landscape, including at the European Affairs Department in Rome (Internal Market & Competition Unit) and in the team of MEP Dorfmann (Italy, EPP) at the European Parliament. Furthermore, he is committed to youth civic engagement, contributing to Palumba EU, a youth-led initiative that created a top-ranked voting advice app during Germany’s 2025 election. As part of the Palumba Knowledge Lab, he now explores trends shaping young Europeans. After receiving a 2024 scholarship to the European Forum Alpbach, René joined the board of Club Alpbach Südtirol Alto Adige, supporting young South Tyroleans in attending the Forum.