EUKN team

Martin Grisel

Director

Interest in local politics and wider societal challenges led Martin to switch careers and focus on urban development policy, founding the EUKN in 2005. He speaks native Dutch, fluent English, French and German, and advanced Spanish. 

Convinced that cities are one of mankind’s most fascinating creations, Martin is driven to create more sustainable urban futures through co-designing strategy with policy-makers and researchers. He enjoys working as a trusted strategic advisor to policy-makers from local to global level, and is proud to work with a team of highly dedicated colleagues. 

Currently working on:  

Martin provides strategic, financial and operational leadership, and oversees external relations and acquisition for the EUKN. A familiar face from moderating events organised by the EUKN and third parties, Martin also leads a strand of the EUKN’s work within the CONEXUS project.  

Lea Scheurer

Senior Policy and Project Officer

Lea holds a BA in Social Sciences from Düsseldorf University, an MA in Politics and Public Administration from the University of Konstanz, and an MSc in European Governance from Utrecht University. She joined the EUKN in 2016, and speaks German, English and Dutch. 

An avid writer, Lea is in her element crafting research-rich, engaging texts on the ever-evolving sphere of urban policy. She holds the European element of the EUKN’s work close to her heart: exchanging across borders and cultures, and finding commonalities in the urban community. From theory to street-level, she is fascinated by urbanity’s multifaceted impact on society. 

Currently working on:  

Lea prepares EUKN Policy Labs and supports EU Council Presidencies. 

Livia del Conte

Policy and Project Officer

Livia holds an MA in Architecture from TU Delft and a BA from the University of Roma Tre. She joined the EUKN in 2019, and has since contributed her solution-orientated and visual approach to EUKN activities.  

Livia is driven to create impact through innovative policy-making, with a signature urban strategist twist on her architectural training. She likes to challenge colleagues and policy-makers alike to think outside the box, applying design research methods and tools. Livia speaks native Italian, fluent English and French, and basic Spanish and Dutch. 

Currently working on:  

Livia develops EUKN Policy Labs, supports EU Council Presidencies, and contributes Graphic & Design elements to research and communications.

Federica Risi

Senior Policy and Project Officer

Federica holds an MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development from University College London and a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from LUISS Guido Carli. At the EUKN since 2019, she speaks native Italian, fluent English and Spanish, and intermediate Portuguese.

A natural connector and active practitioner, Federica sees her urban development expertise as a key entry point to unpacking and healing cities’ relationship with the natural world. Consistently evolving her approach, she’s found synergy with the EUKN’s culture of policy co-creation to craft sustainable urban transformations.

Currently working on:

Federica leads the EUKN’s work within the CONEXUS project, restoring urban ecosystems with nature-based solutions. As the team’s go-to for green transition topics, she strengthens the EUKN’s ties with fellow actors in the field, alongside developing EUKN Policy Labs.

Peter Crisp

Policy Communications Intern

Peter completed dual BA degrees in International Studies (specialising in International Relations) and Media (Public Relations & Advertising) at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. Inspired by an initial year as an exchange student, he returned to Erasmus University Rotterdam to complete an MSc in Political Sociology.

He sees cities as key drivers of the individual values, identities and experiences that shape social and political shifts. Better understanding them is therefore key to building a more inclusive, engaging and productive public discourse and responding to shared challenges together.

In partnership with the EUKN team, Peter is responsible for policy communication activities.