SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window, a transnational research project, where the University of Warwick is a partner, launched its podcast series “Democracy Support Dialogues”. In this podcast series we will explore the European Union’s democracy support in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods. From best practices to shortcomings of Europe’s democracy support agenda in its Neighbourhoods, this 12-episode series walks through the policies of a variety of institutions and states to harness our collective democratic knowledge. Join the host, Fabian Schöppner, as he speaks with a range of guests and experts on democracy support in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Lebanon, Palestine and Tunisia.

The first episode featuring Professor Michelle Pace, Roskilde University, is available at the following platforms:

• SpotifyLink opens in a new window
• Amazon Music
• Apple PodcastsLink opens in a new window

Dr Paul Hansbury joined the WUB-hub project (and the IGSD team) as a lead researcher on Belarus and Ukraine examining the issues of democracy-building, conflict and war, geopolitics and EU strategies towards these countries and the wider neighbourhood. Welcome, Paul!

On 19 Feb 2024 Dr Aijan Sharshenova joined our SHAPEDEM project (and IGSD team) as a lead Research Fellow. Prior to this Aijan was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. Dr Sharshenova holds a PhD in Politics awarded at the University of Leeds, UK. Prior to joining the OSCE Academy, Dr Sharshenova worked at the UN and UNDP country offices in the Middle East, and taught courses in International Politics and Academic Writing. Aijan’s research interests include public diplomacy, the EU and Russian policies towards Central Asia, EU policies towards the eastern neighbourhood, and international development. Recently, Dr Sharshenova published her book ‘The European Union’s Democracy Promotion in Central Asia’ available here.

Aijan replaced Dr Asya Kudlenko, who is currently on maternity leave.

Especially delighted to announce this news: IGSD is very happy to announce that Dr Hita Unnikrishnan will be joining IGSD on 3 June 2024 as our new Assistant Professor. Presently Hita is Newton International Fellow at the University of Sheffield, and prior that she worked as Assistant Professor at the Trans-Disciplinary University, and as a post-doctoral research associate at Azim Premji University, both based in Bengaluru, India. She obtained her Ph.D from Manipal University, India; ATREE, Bengaluru. Hita was also a recipient of the Prof. Elinor Ostrom Fellowship on Practice and Policy on the Commons in 2013.

WELCOME, Hita!