From Würzburg to the World

What do graduates of Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) do for a living? In order to present students with different perspectives, Michaela Thiel, Managing Director of the central alumni network, has interviewed selected alumni. This time it's the turn of Dr Matthias Kullas.

Kullas studied economics at JMU, where he also completed his doctorate. He works as Head of the Internal Market and Competition Department at the Centre for European Politics in Freiburg.

Mr Kullas, how would you describe your job to a layperson? The aim of my job is to make European laws - i.e. directives and regulations - better. To this end, I develop ideas for European responses to pressing economic and social challenges. I am currently working on the regulation of artificial intelligence and the regulation of large online platforms.

What do you particularly like about your work? The topics I work on are always highly topical and very exciting. My work not only gives me the opportunity to delve deeper into these topics than many other people. I can also contribute to a functioning EU. And last but not least, we have a great team here at the Centre for European Politics.

What is the biggest challenge? The biggest challenge is to work very precisely. Especially when it comes to analysing proposals for regulations or directives, I have to read very carefully and understand every detail of what is often a 100-page proposal. Sometimes it makes a big difference whether a list ends with an "and" or an "or".

Apart from mobility, the opportunity to work in any European country and the free movement of goods, what do you think is the best thing about the EU? The EU is a very successful peace project. The EU has created structures so that European countries can resolve their conflicts without violence, for example in the European Parliament or the European Council. The EU also connects the people of Europe, for example through the Erasmus programme. This is very enriching for everyone.

If you were to predict where European politics will be in ten years' time - what will have changed? The world is currently facing three major challenges. The first is climate change, the second is the conflict between the USA and China and the third is dealing with migration. No European state alone can influence how the world deals with these challenges. However, all European states together can. I therefore expect the EU member states to move even closer together. The EU will develop into an area of protection for the member states.

What is your favourite memory of Würzburg? Sitting with fellow students in the sunshine in the "Alter Kranen" beer garden. That's unbeatable.

Thank you very much for the interview.

Are you not yet a member of the university's alumni network? Then you are cordially invited to register at the network's website. There you can also find the previously published interviews with JMU alumni and alumnae.