Aiste Pagirenaite

Teaching Fellow in Political Theory

Email:-

Room:- E2.24

Profile

I am a Teaching Fellow in Political Theory in the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS). Before joining PAIS, I was a Senior Tutor at the University of Edinburgh, where I completed my PhD in Politics. I also hold an MA in International Politics and Europe from the University of Warwick.

Research

My research lies at the intersection of political theory, history of political thought, and political economy. I apply critical political theory to examine contemporary anti-capitalist resistance movements, focusing specifically on the role the capitalist state plays in both enabling and suppressing such movements. I am trained as both a political theorist and a social science researcher, with a particular focus on qualitative methods. My most recent publications adopt an empirically grounded approach to political theorising.

I held numerous research roles over the last 8 years. My most recent roles include working on INSPIRE (Intersectional Spaces of Participation: Inclusive, Resilient, Embedded, Horizon Europe and UKRI) and the Times of a Just Transition (British Academy).

Teaching

In the 2026/27 year, I will be a seminar tutor for: PO2E3 Foundations of Political Theory and PO2E2 Topics in Political Theory.

Selected Publications

Pagirenaite, A. (2026) ‘Resisting Capitalism through the Capitalist State: Prefigurative Politics as a Strategy’, Political Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/00323217261428302