Benedetta Cotta  is an Assistant Professor (RTDa) of Political Science at the University of Padua. She holds a Ph.D. in Political and Social Sciences from the European University Institute (2016), with a dissertation on EU compliance and environmental policy implementation in Central and Eastern European member states, an M.Res. from the EUI (2011), an M.A. in European Studies from the University of Bologna (2009), and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Florence (2006).

Her research has revolved around the topics of environmental governance and Central and Eastern Europe, while her current focus is on the emergence of eco-social policies in the European Union. She has published articles on the implementation of EU environmental policies in the member states, on environmental attitudes of citizens and leaders, global environmental governance, as well as the eco-social dimensions of the European Green Deal, political parties’ positions on the green and fair transition, and the varieties of eco-social policies across EU member states.