Maria Zotova

Maria Zotova joined the ICCT in January 2024 as a part of the Current and Emerging Threats (CET) pillar. She completed her MSc in Crisis and Security Management (Cum Laude) at Leiden University, majoring in Governance of Violence. Prior to joining ICCT, Maria also graduated from BSc Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics (Hons.) at the University of Amsterdam, completing her thesis on content moderation of extremist and hate speech content by large social media platforms and the legal gaps in such regulation. Maria worked at an NGO, legally assisting political prisoners and participated in investigative journalistic projects, using OSINT techniques. Her primary research area is Russian extremist ideology and disinformation in Europe.