Born on 22 January 1956. She is a lawyer and has been a law professor and lecturer since 2003. In the scientific field, she specialises in the ethics of public service, administrative sciences and administrative law. She is the author of five books and 70 scientific articles. She is a member of Transparency International Poland and Amnesty International. During her time as MEP from 2004 till 2007, she was a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and of the Delegation for Relations with Belarus. She was also involved in matters relating to the entry of Poland and other new Member States into the Schengen area. She served as Minister for Higher Education in Donald Tusk’s government from 2007-2013. Following her re-election to the European Parliament, she is now Vice-President of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. MEP from 2004-2007 and since 2014.