University research is a key endeavor for advancing knowledge generation and maintaining the reflective and critical spirit of the university. In this regard, UCH CEU and the Faculty of Law, Business, and Political Science, through their research groups—such as the one at hand—are a prime example. Today, this post is dedicated especially to an essential part of research groups: doctoral students. They are responsible for preserving the essence of the university over time.
In this interview, we speak with three doctoral students from the research group Crisis of the Rule of Law in the EU: Almudena del Castillo, Zitan Peng, and Carlos González, who share their academic journey, the challenges and rewards of the research life, and the importance of their work in the legal and political fields.
1.- First of all, as an introduction and for our readers to get to know you better: Could you tell us a little about your academic background?
Almudena: I studied Law at CEU Cardenal Herrera, at the Elche campus. I didn’t start with a clear legal vocation; rather, I discovered it over time. During my studies, I did internships at the Honorary Consulate of Spain in Liverpool, as well as in private law firms and companies. After completing my degree, I pursued the Master’s in Access to the Legal Profession to become a registered lawyer, complementing it with a dual Master’s in American and Transnational Law at the University of Dayton. This master’s program is designed to enable me to practice law in the U.S. and take the Bar Exam. However, the world of research eventually found me, and I am currently working on my Ph.D. thesis under the supervision of Professor Susana Sanz, who invited me to start it within the framework of the Crisis of the Rule of Law in the EU project.
Zitan: I studied for a Law Degree at UCH CEU between 2013 and 2017. Later, I completed the Master’s in Access to the Legal Profession at the same university, and after that, I spent a couple of years abroad. Finally, in 2023, I began my Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Susana Sanz as well.
Carlos: I studied Political Science and Journalism, complemented by a Diploma in Political Marketing. During my studies, I did internships in both the public and private sectors. However, by my third year, I realized that what interested me most was Constitutional Law and Political Philosophy. This led me to pursue a Master’s in Constitutional Law at the Center for Political and Constitutional Studies. My main interest lies in understanding why things happen rather than just how they happen. After completing this master’s, I pursued another in Political Analysis while combining it with teaching. Currently, I continue this line of research in my Ph.D.
2.- What was the process of getting into the Ph.D. program like? What are the requirements, and what funding or scholarship options exist for research? How does it work at CEU?
Almudena: To access a Ph.D. program, the first requirement is to have a degree and a university master’s degree, meaning an official master’s that allows entry into a Ph.D. program. When enrolling in the Doctoral School, you must already have a thesis supervisor and have agreed on your research topic. You also need to submit a CV and a motivation letter (in the case of CEINDO, the Doctoral School of CEU).
Regarding scholarships, there are several options: First, CEU Scholarships in collaboration with Banco Santander, which last for three years with a possible extension. A minimum GPA of 8.25 is required for Social Sciences and Law fields. These scholarships fund a predoctoral contract, allowing recipients to conduct research and teach. Externally, there is the FPU Scholarship from the Ministry of Universities, which funds research for four years. It is one of the most competitive scholarships at the national level, requiring a minimum GPA of 8.5. Additionally, there are scholarships funded by regional governments for predoctoral contracts, but the process is usually more bureaucratic and demanding.
In my case, I have gone through all these stages. In 2022, I obtained the CEU FPI scholarship, in November 2023, I switched to a scholarship from the Valencian Government, and from November 2024 to 2026, I will be funded by the Ministry of Universities.
Zitan: I also recommend that anyone interested in the admission process visit the CEINDO website, which is the Doctoral School of CEU.
Carlos: It is also worth mentioning that CEINDO offers different research lines. Given the topic of our research, we are in the Law and Economics line within the International and European Studies area.
3.- Once in the program, how did you choose the topic of your thesis, and what factors influenced your decision?
Almudena: If it’s not a topic that truly excites you, it is very difficult to explore it in depth for years and address it from multiple perspectives. In my case, although I had some knowledge of the Rule of Law, my professional career had been focused on other areas. However, when I started the Ph.D. program and obtained a scholarship associated with the Crisis of the Rule of Law project, I decided to focus on judicial independence. I was interested in understanding why there is a perception of its vulnerability and analyzing the case law of the CJEU and the ECtHR regarding executive interference in judicial appointments. My thesis title, although still provisional, would be something like: “Executive interference in the judiciary and the control of judicial independence in the EU through the case law of the CJEU and the ECtHR on irregular judicial appointments.”
Zitan: EU Law is an area that I find deeply interesting, and it is the core of my thesis. Specifically, I focus on proposals for resolving the crisis of the Rule of Law within the EU framework. Thus, my thesis title could be: “Proposals for resolving the crisis of the Rule of Law, with special attention to the analysis of the EU Conditionality Regulation.”
Carlos: Doing a Ph.D. thesis requires passion for the topic, to the point where you don’t mind dedicating yourself to it fully. You’ll spend three years reading, writing, and discussing the same subject, so it has to be something that genuinely interests you—almost to the point of becoming obsessed with it. If you don’t feel that connection, you will likely abandon it over time. My research emerged from reading and reflecting on topics that intrigued me until I found one I knew I could explore deeply without losing enthusiasm. Although my thesis title is still being developed, a working version would be: “Parliamentary inquiry committees in the Spanish parliamentary system and their relationship with the separation of powers. The role of political minorities and the overreach concerning the law and the presumption of innocence in parliamentary investigations.”
4.- How does your research connect to the Crisis of the Rule of Law in the EU project?
Almudena: My research is directly related to the Crisis of the Rule of Law in the EU project, as one of the fundamental indicators for assessing the Rule of Law, both at the EU level and within individual countries, is judicial independenceand the separation of powers. These elements are inseparable from the very concept of the Rule of Law.
My work examines European case law in this area and studies how European courts (CJEU and ECtHR) have addressed executive interference in the judiciary.
Zitan: My research focuses on proposing solutions to the crisis of the Rule of Law, approaching the issue from four key perspectives: legal, political, economic, and financial. This approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of the problem and explores different courses of action within the EU framework.
In this sense, my research has a clear connection with the Crisis of the Rule of Law in the EU project, as it combines aspects of international law with economic and financial considerations.
Carlos: My research is based on understanding the importance of the separation of powers, which is the foundation that ensures institutional balance. When the executive branch overreaches and encroaches on other spheres, it leads to an excessively powerful executive, which can severely affect citizens’ rights.
A clear example is the erosion of fundamental rights, such as the presumption of innocence, when populist practices seek to expand government power without proper checks. In fact, there are already rulings from the Spanish Constitutional Court addressing the misuse of certain parliamentary mechanisms for political purposes.
5.- On a daily basis, what do you enjoy most about being a researcher?
Almudena: The greatest satisfaction in research is being able to delve into a subject that truly interests me and knowing that, in some way, I can contribute something valuable. However, the most challenging part was finding my own research niche—an approach that was truly my own and had a relevant impact on society. It’s important not to become obsessed with making an entirely groundbreaking discovery; rather, having a well-argued and interesting contribution is enough.
Zitan: What I enjoy most about research is working on a topic that I am deeply passionate about.
Carlos: For me, reading is a true pleasure. What I love most about research is that as you read and learn, one topic leads to another, and you keep discovering new ideas that captivate you even more. We are privileged to dedicate ourselves to this—to reading, learning, and generating knowledge.
6.- On the other hand, what has been the biggest challenge or difficulty during your Ph.D.?
Carlos: I would highlight three major challenges in the Ph.D. process: Solitude – A Ph.D. is a lonely journey, which is why your passion for the topic is crucial; it will be your constant companion for years. The non-linear process – Some days, you barely manage to write half a page, while on others, you make ten pages of progress. This irregularity can be frustrating, but it is an inherent part of research. Intellectual demands – The Ph.D. is mentally exhausting. You constantly feel that your work is not original enough, that you could have cited more sources, or that something could be formulated better. This constant self-criticism is a sign that you are on the right track, but it can also be draining. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain mental balance and take care of yourself psychologically.
Almudena: The hardest part, and undoubtedly the most negative aspect, has been solitude. I came from a much more dynamic professional environment, working in large teams, so adjusting to researching alone was challenging. I also completely agree with Carlos: impostor syndrome is a constant struggle. You feel like your work is never enough because so many others are researching the same topic, and if you become obsessed with making a completely novel contribution, you may never feel fully satisfied with your work. Another difficult aspect is that a Ph.D. does not offer immediate rewards. In professions like law, you see the results of your efforts in a favorable court ruling, but in research, the impact of your work is long-term. Without a doubt, pursuing a Ph.D. is one of the hardest things I have ever done. It requires managing many variables at once and, above all, trusting yourself.
Zitan: One of my biggest challenges has been learning to be more efficient. I have realized how important organizationis in research, especially to not miss funding opportunities or scholarship deadlines.
7.- You all combine research with teaching. Do you lean more toward one, or do you think research and teaching are inseparable?
Almudena: I enjoy both teaching and research, and although I never thought I would dedicate myself exclusively to research, here I am. I believe research is enriching because it allows you to delve deep into a subject and contribute knowledge to an important field. In my view, you cannot be a good teacher without deeply researching the topics you teach. Furthermore, teaching is a very rewarding experience and helps me break away from the solitary nature of research.
Zitan: For me, it’s a balance between research and teaching—a 50/50 split. I strongly believe that to be a good researcher, you must also teach, and vice versa.
Carlos: I cannot conceive of knowledge generation without its transmission. There is no point in accumulating knowledge if it is not shared. For me, academia and the university are about human connections—a process of joint learning. Research helps me better understand complex issues, and the better I understand them, the better I can explain them. Moreover, students, through their questions and discussions, often challenge us to think critically and explore new ideas. Without realizing it, they help enrich our research even further.
8.- Focusing on your project, why do you think researching the Rule of Law in the EU is important today?
Almudena: It is essential because when we talk about democracy, we are also talking about the Rule of Law. One cannot exist without the other, as they are intrinsically linked. It is crucial to research this topic because we are witnessing frequent illegitimate intrusions by the executive branch into the judiciary, which threatens the separation of powers and, consequently, the stability of the Rule of Law. If this issue was already relevant, it is even more so today, as attacks on judicial independence and democratic erosion are becoming more common. Universities have the responsibility to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Rule of Law.
Zitan: It is important because the Rule of Law is one of the fundamental values of the European Union. It is the pillaron which all other rights and freedoms rest.
Carlos: To answer this question, I will refer to Luigi Ferrajoli, who stated that disregarding the forms of representative democracy means disregarding legal guarantees. Therefore, when the Rule of Law is attacked, what is truly being undermined are the guarantees that protect citizens’ rights.
9.- And regarding your theses, what methodological approaches are you using in your research, and what type of sources are key to your work?
Almudena: Methodology in legal research is one of the most complex aspects, as in law, there is usually no structured teaching on how to develop a solid research methodology. It is more of a personal task of investigation and study on the subject. In my case, I use a mixed approach. It is qualitative, as there is a doctrinal study that analyzes legal theory and relevant case law. But it is also quantitative, through an analysis of the rulings of different courts, grouping them according to specific criteria.
Zitan: My methodology is qualitative, longitudinal, and documentary. I focus on analyzing the case law of the European Union and conducting a doctrinal study on the Rule of Law and the Conditionality Regulation.
Carlos: In my research, I combine two main approaches: legal and political science, which forces me to include both qualitative and quantitative elements. Thus, starting from an exhaustive bibliographic review to understand the background and theoretical foundations of the topic, I seek to formulate a series of hypotheses that can be quantitatively verified through specific data. In turn, the quantitative results must be interpreted qualitatively, to provide them with context and explanation within the framework of the thesis.
10.- Finally, what would you like to do after finishing your doctorate? Do you see yourselves continuing at the university or exploring other options?
Almudena: My goal is to continue dedicating myself to teaching and research, to keep learning and growing academically within CEU. It would be very rewarding to consolidate my career in this field.
Zitan: God willing, I would like to continue researching and teaching at UCH CEU.
Carlos: I would also like to continue researching and teaching. Beyond any idealization, this is the profession that truly excites us. We are motivated by the search for knowledge and critical thinking.
11.- And finally, if you had to give advice to someone considering doing a doctorate in this field, what would you say?
Almudena: My advice would be not to give up and to trust in the potential of your work. It is also essential to lean on the closest references.
Zitan: Take heart, because patience achieves everything.
Carlos: My advice is that you need to have mentors, and in this sense, the figure of the thesis supervisor is fundamental, as a “beacon” that guides you throughout the doctoral proce
