On 12 December 2024, the Doctoral School of Law (DSL) hosted its annual Alumni Event, celebrating academic excellence and fostering professional growth. The highlight of the evening was the conferral of the Pescatore Prize for 2023 and 2024, awarded respectively to Nicole Citeroni and Alessio Belli for their exceptional doctoral theses.
Designed to strengthen connections among current doctoral students and alumni, the event offered valuable opportunities for professional networking and career guidance. Professor Joana Mendes, Head of the DSL, opened the gathering with a warm welcome.
An engaging discussion by Alessandra Donati, Référendaire at the Court of Justice of the European Union, and Ella Schonckert, Senior Associate at Kleyr & Grasso followed this. Both speakers shared their professional journeys and emphasized the value of a PhD beyond academia, providing attendees with insights into diverse career pathways.
From left to right: Prof. Joana Mendes, Head of the DSL, Alessandra Donati, Référendaire at the Court of Justice of the European Union, and Ella Schonckert, Senior Associate at Kleyr & Grasso
The event continued with the awarding of the Pescatore Prize, named in honour of Luxembourgish legal scholar and former European Court of Justice judge Pierre Pescatore. Established in 2018, this prize recognizes outstanding doctoral research and commemorates Pescatore’s significant contributions to European and international law. It is awarded once per year to one Doctoral School of Law graduate for the best doctoral thesis.
Nicole Citeroni, the 2023 recipient, was honoured for her thesis, “Systemic Economic Offences as a New Paradigm of International Crimes.” Her research explores whether and to what extent the concept of international economic crime can be classified as an international crime and prosecuted as such.
From left to right: Nicole Citeroni, the 2023 Pierre Pescatore Prize winner with Prof. Joana Mendes, Head of the DSL
The 2024 recipient, Alessio Belli, was recognized for his thesis, “L’héritage oublié: La citoyenneté sociale à la recherche d’un nouvel imaginaire normatif.” His work critically examines social citizenship in the context of European integration. The selection committee praised Belli’s innovative approach, commending his critical engagement, creative perspective, and the relevance of his topic to the ongoing evolution of EU integration.
The evening concluded with a cocktail reception, where students, professors, and alumni gathered in a relaxed setting to build connections and exchange ideas.
