Abstract. Despite gains in women’s political representation, many studies continue to identify structural and attitudinal barriers that contribute to their persistent under-representation in elected office. One commonly cited explanation is a baseline reluctance among some voters to support female candidates. However, research on gender affinity suggests a more complex picture: voters often prefer candidates who resemble themselves, and especially women are more likely to support women.

Abstract. The European Union’s (EU) response to the Rule of Law (RoL) crisis has received considerable academic attention. However, the EU’s interactions with other international organisations in addressing the crisis remain understudied. This paper examines how the European Commission (‘the Commission’) has increasingly drawn on the expertise of the Venice Commission (VC), the Council of Europe’s advisory body, to substantiate its RoL monitoring and enforcement actions. Our database of Commission documents shows a growing number of references to the VC’s expertise.

Abstract. In the evolving landscape of scientific research, ORCID identifiers are essential for maintaining academic integrity and enhancing research visibility. This study proposes a methodological framework for identifying and analysing the presence and characteristics of researchers in a specific country in ORCID, using complementary data from OpenAlex to improve results.