I recently completed a three-week visiting fellowship at the Centre for Protecting Women Online (CPWO) in September 2025. My visit coincided with the Centre’s annual conference, which gave me the opportunity to meet the full team, learn about their ongoing projects, and immerse myself in the Centre’s academic environment from the very first day.
What struck me the most during my stay was the Centre’s truly multidisciplinary profile. Many research institutions describe themselves as multidisciplinary, but very few combine expertise in law, psychology, and computer science specifically to advance women’s online safety. The CPWO approaches online violence against women as a complex and holistic problem (technical, legal, social, and psychological at once). Being able to discuss research questions with scholars from such diverse backgrounds allowed me to see the field in a richer, more nuanced way and pushed me to think beyond the legal and economic dimensions I usually work with.
During my time at the Centre, I had the chance to present my own research. Seeing how experts in other fields interpret and question my findings helped me refine my arguments and identify new angles for future work. These discussions played an important role in strengthening my current research trajectory.
My visit was hosted by Professor Olga Jurasz, with whom I am collaborating on several research projects, mostly at the intersection of Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women (TFVAW) and the EU’s Digital Services Act. The Centre provided an ideal academic space to exchange ideas, explore new research avenues, and receive guidance.
During the fellowship, I continued working with Olga on a paper examining the discretionary power of online platforms to moderate gender-sensitive content under EU law. The experience also highlighted something that often goes unmentioned: being a visiting fellow is not only about research outputs, it is also about building genuine professional connections. Meeting and spending time with the team in person creates a collaborative atmosphere that extends beyond the professional aspect.
Visiting the UK also provided a valuable chance to connect more closely with policymakers, trust and safety professionals, and researchers working on TFVAW. The CPWO encouraged and supported every networking opportunity. They also invited me to join events in London, where I could meet people working in areas connected to my research, beyond the academic network.
Overall, the CPWO offers an exceptional environment for visiting researchers. Every aspect of the stay is handled with warmth, generosity, and professionalism. The only downside is that the visit feels far too short. I truly enjoyed my time there, both academically and personally, and I hope to return in the future.
