Since October 2021, Alba has been working as a Research Assistant and Ph.D. candidate at the Chair of Multilevel Governance in Europe at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. Her research focuses on feminist theories and gender equality policies, with a particular emphasis on the Von der Leyen Commission. In her dissertation, she examines the ‘Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025’ and the implementation of intersectionality in the European Union.

Before her position at Otto von Guericke University, Alba worked as a Research Assistant at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. She holds a Master of Social Science in Leadership for Change: European and Global Politics and Gender Studies, obtained from Tampere University, as well as a BA in Sociology and Political Science from Goethe University.

Her teaching repertoire includes, among others, the following courses:

• Applied Policy Analysis
• Introduction to European Political Science
• The EU and Gender Equality
• Feminist Theory with an EU Lens
• Feminism

In addition, Alba has the following responsibilities:

• Academic Advisor for the European Studies Master's program
• Program Coordinator for the Master's in European Studies

Work experience & Teaching

Education

Languages

• German
• Spanish
• English
• Finnish

Peer-reviewed articles (published)

Kugelmeier López, A. M. (2025). The “Leftover” Portfolio: Gender Equality at the Onset of von der Leyen’s Second Term. FEMINA POLITICA – Zeitschrift für feministische Politikwissenschaft, 34(2–2025), 75–89.https://doi.org/10.3224/feminapolitica.v34i2.07

Peer-reviewed articles (forthcoming)

Kugelmeier López, A. M. (in press). A feminist promise? Gender equality in the rhetoric of Ursula von der Leyen. Culture, Practice & Europeanization.

Peer-reviewed articles (under review)

Kugelmeier López, A. M. (Manuscript under review). Radio silence: Gender in the rhetoric of Ursula von der Leyen’s second term. Manuscript submitted for publication in GENDER – Zeitschrift für Geschlecht, Kultur und Gesellschaft.

Book Review (under review)

Kugelmeier López, A. M. (Manuscript under review). Review of The European Commission under President Ursula von der Leyen: Gender, leadership, policies, and crises (G. Abels, J. Kantola, E. Lombardo, & H. Müller, Eds.). Manuscript submitted for publication in International Feminist Journal of Politics.

Book chapters (published)

Ahrens, P., & Kugelmeier López, A. (2025). Gleichstellungspolitik. In W. Weidenfeld & W. Wessels (Hrsg.),Jahrbuch der Europäischen Integration 2025 (S. 239–242). Nomos.

Ahrens, P., & Kugelmeier López, A. (2024). Gleichstellungspolitik. In W. Weidenfeld & W. Wessels (Hrsg.),Jahrbuch der Europäischen Integration 2024 (S. 249–252). Nomos.

Ahrens, P., & Kugelmeier López, A. (2023). Gleichstellungspolitik. In W. Weidenfeld & W. Wessels (Hrsg.),Jahrbuch der Europäischen Integration 2023 (S. 245–248). Nomos.