Justine Elferte is a researcher at LIIA. She is a PMI certified project manager with vast experience in large-scale strategic projects. In her more recent professional experience, she has worked as a Project Manager for the Financial and Intelligence Unit of Latvia, the Head of the International Department at Riga Graduate School of Law and the Head of Strategic Development at the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation. She has obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law and Diplomacy and a master’s degree in International and European Law at Riga Graduate School of Law. Since 2017, Justine has been collaborating with the Latvian Institute of International Affairs on research. Her academic interests lie within the European Union (EU) with a stronger emphasis on EU external relations (amongst other - sanctions), the concept of sovereignty, democratic legitimacy and security aspects of the EU.