Simona CATANA-GRADINARU
3rd Secuilor Street
041511, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +04 0740421149
Email: simona.catana@lareine.ro
Curriculum vitae
EDUCATION
 Ongoing – PhD Student in International Law, Paris 8 University, Laboratoire Forces du droit,
thesis “The New European Economic Governance and the Reshuffling of European Actors’
Competences: the EU Member States and the EU institutions”, under the supervision of
Professor Elsa BERNARD
 2013 – MA in European and International Relations, at the Institute for European Studies, Paris
8 University, France, with the thesis “The Limits of the European Commission’s Competences
in the New Economic Governance”, under the supervision of Professor Elsa BERNARD
 2010 – Bachelor`s Degree in Communication and Public Relations, at the Faculty of
Communication and Public Relations, National School of Political Studies and Public
Administration (SNSPA) Bucharest, Romania
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
 Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning, Bucharest, August 2011 - Present
Position held: Senior Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities: Writing reports and analyses on political and strategic
events that occur in the assigned area. My area of expertise is Europe area, focusing on
European Union institutional matters and regional political and economic turnarounds,
including the financial crisis within the euro zone area, with its politic and social consequences.
Weekly publications in the Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin, distributed to Romanian
decision-makers and diplomatic corps.
 Fun Time District, Bucharest, January 2011 - August 2011
Position held: Project Manager
Project: The Kid`s Time Magazine
Main activities and responsibilities: Strategic planning, branding policies, creation of the
concept of the magazine (editorial structure, supervision of the graphic design and layout),
defining the target population and its characteristics, organizing the distribution policy:
 Media District, Bucharest, September 2005 - January 2011
Position held: General Manager, January 2008 - January 2011
Main activities and responsibilities: Developing and maintaining excellent relations with the
main clients; developing business strategies, coordinate business operations, overseeing the
budget, managing both human and material resources.
Position held: Marketing Manager, September 2005 - December 2007
Project: Hipocrate medical magazine, targeting leaders in the medical industry in Romania,
from physicians and professors to managers in the pharmaceutical industry
 Press Pro International, Bucharest, November 2004 - September 2005
Position held: General Manager Assistant
PUBLISHED ARTICLES
 Sarkozy’s return to politics or the conservative revolution, Strategic Decision Analysis
Bulletin no. 245 of 1-7 December 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 France gets another three months to reach budget deficit target, as EU postpones ruling,
Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 244 of 24-30 November 2014, The Center for Conflict
Prevention and Early Warning
 LuxLeaks, Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 242 of 10-16 November 2014, The Center
for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 Pro-independence Catalans voted, but the “consultation of citizens” has only a symbolic
relevance, Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 242 of 10-16 November 2014, The Center
for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 United Kingdom has to pay more to EU budget, Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 241
of 3-9 November 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 European Central Bank stress-test shows a reasonably healthy banking sector, Strategic
Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 240 of 27 October – 2 November 2014, The Center for Conflict
Prevention and Early Warning
 Juncker Commission takes office, Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 240 of 27 October
– 2 November 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 Catalonia gives up referendum, but sets the stage for “consultation”, Strategic Decision
Analysis Bulletin no. 238 of 13-19 October 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and Early
Warning
 France defies the Commission over tight budgetary rules, Strategic Decision Analysis
Bulletin no. 238 of 13-19 October 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 Catalonia referendum in legal crisis, Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 236 of 29
September - 5 October 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 Nicolas Sarkozy’s long awaited comeback, Strategic Decision Analysis Bulletin no. 235 of 22
- 28 September, The Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning
 Scotland rejects independence, but even the “NO” vote changes UK, Strategic Decision
Analysis Bulletin no. 234 of 14 - 21 September 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and
Early Warning
 French cabinet Valls II is reconfirmed by the vote of the Parliament, Strategic Decision
Analysis Bulletin no. 234 of 14 - 21 September 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and
Early Warning
 Juncker wants a political and multi-speed European Commission, Strategic Decision
Analysis Bulletin no. 233 of 8 - 14 September 2014, The Center for Conflict Prevention and
Early Warning
CONFERENCES AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
 5-6 December 2014, Iasi, Romania – National Conference “International Development and
Democratization”, organized by A. I. Cuza University, presentation of the paper “A Multipolar
Europe in a Multipolar World”
 31 October – 1st November 2014, Bucharest, Romania – The 9th International Conference on
Economic Cybernetic Analysis: Positive and Negative Effects of European Union and Eurozone
Enlargement 2014, organized by the Academy of Economic Studies, presentation of the paper
“Saving the Euro: EU’s Legal Solutions”, later published in the volume of the conference
 23-24 October 2014, Targu Mures, Romania – The International Scientific Conference:
Communication, Context, Interdisciplinary, 3rd Edition, organized by “Petru Maior” University
Targu Mures, presentation of the paper “Reshuffling Competences: European Union’s Actors
after the Economic Crisis”
 1-5 September 2014, Strasbourg, France – participation at the Summer School – The Economic
Constitution of the Union (Université d’été à Strasbourg – la Constitution économique de
l’Union), organized by Strasbourg University’s Doctoral School
COURSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
 The Power of Macroeconomics: Economic Principles in the Real World, taught by prof.
Peter Navarro, the Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine – online
course on coursera.org - Statement of Accomplishment, June 18 2014
 Constitutional Law, taught by prof. Akhil Reed Amar, Yale Law School, online course on
coursera.org, Verified Certificate, May 19 2014
 Understanding Terrorism and the Terrorist Threat, taught by Gary Lafree and Bill Braniff,
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism START, University
of Maryland, - online course on coursera.org, Statement of Accomplishment with Distinction,
April 2nd 2014
 Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice, taught by prof. Edwin
Bakker, University Leiden – online course on coursera.org, Statement of Accomplishment,
November 15, 2013
 The Modern World: Global History since 1760, taught by prof. Philip Zelikow, University of
Virginia, online course on coursera.org, Statement of Accomplishment with distinction, May 8
2013
SKILLS
 PC skills (Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, internet tools)
 Excellent communication skills
 Project management and strategic planning
 People management skills, supervising, coordinating and motivating
 Analysis and synthesis skills
 Highly problem solving orientated and ability to develop cost-efficient solutions
LANGUAGES
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English – Proficiency level (C1)
French – Proficiency level (C1)
Spanish – Intermediate level (B2)
Romanian – Mother tongue (C2)
HOBBYS
 Travelling, reading, European and world history, International Relations
 Drivers license A, B