IGSD Research Fellow Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window (SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window project team) joined the Early Stage Researcher Induction ProgrammeLink opens in a new window provided by the Leadership and Management DevelopmentLink opens in a new window team at the University of Warwick. This programme is designed to help early and mid-career researchers begin to orientate their research and career trajectory within complex research ecosystems. The programme enables to find a starting point and build a thought-through career path.

SHAPEDEM-EU organised an online expert discussion to explore the root causes and future implications of the ongoing mass protests in Georgia against the adoption of the "foreign agents" law. The discussion featured an in-house expertise - Dr. Nona MikhelidzeLink opens in a new window (Istituto Affari Internazionali), Kristina Pitalskaya (EaP Civil Partnership), and Dr. Aijan Sharshenova Link opens in a new window(University of Warwick).

The discussion took place on May 10th via zoom and was open to the public.

The SHAPEDEM-EU Link opens in a new windowProject unites 12 academic, research and civil society institutions in an effort to rethink and reshape EU democracy support in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods.

IGSD Research Fellow Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window discussed David Cameron's recent Central Asia and Mongolia tour in the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Majlis podcastLink opens in a new window. Other participants included Professor Luca Anceschi from Glasgow University and Benjamin Godwin, PRISM political risk management company. Lord Cameron's visit covered all five Central Asian republics and ended in Mongolia.

IGSD Research Fellow Dr Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window (SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window project) was interviewed by the Russian service of Deutsche WelleLink opens in a new window in relation to the recent adoption of the "foreign agents" law in Kyrgyzstan and the imminent closure of the Soros Foundation KyrgyzstanLink opens in a new window, a private non-government foundation set up by the Open Society Institute in 1993.

Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window, a research fellow working on SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window project at the IGSD, published a book chapter on polity diffusion and regime security in Central Asia. Her contribution explores the politics of autocracy promotion, autocracy diffusion, authoritarian learning and know-how exchange between Central Asian republics and Russia, a regional trend-setter.

The book is published by German publisher Nomos with the support of the the Centre of German and European Studies (CGES/ZDES) at Bielefeld University and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Hard copies are available to purchase at the publisher's websiteLink opens in a new window, and soft copies are free to download (open access).