Institute for Global Sustainable Development » IGSD News (tag [security])

Horizon Europe SHAPEDEM-EU Final Review with the European Commission

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:46:00 GMT

The Horizon Europe SHAPEDEM project concludes with its final review conference on 20 January 2026, with the European Commission. The consortium, comprising 12 partners from Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Lebanon, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, and the UK, represented by the University of Warwick, presented its work to the panel of evaluators. The project focused on assessing the understanding and practices of democracy in the eastern and southern neighbourhoods, as well as the EU support for democracy as a composite stakeholder. Warwick was responsible for undertaking work - fieldwork and analysis - in the six countries in the eastern neighbourhood (WP2), drawing on the results of online surveys, focus groups, interviews, and roundtables. WP2 specific outputs included 8 published, submited and projected publications.

It has been three challenging years of research, including overcoming the obstacles of BREXIT, Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, Belarus civil war, Gaza war, and increasing geopolitical complexity around the globe. Yet, the project went beyond all expectations and has achieved a lot, including critiquing and offering specific recommendations to the EU on how best to support democracy efforts in around the globe. Team Warwick – including Anastasiia Kudlenko and Aijan Sharshenova – is grateful to the EU, UKRI and especially to the consortium and its leadership – for the support, and inspiration. Thank you!

Final conference 'Turning Point: Realising a Sustainable Security Architecture for Europe', 26 nov 2025

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:01:00 GMT

On 26 November 2025 I attended the final conference 'Turning Point: Realising a sustainable security architecture for Europe', organised by Dr Gry Thomasen (PI) from BASIC | The British American Security Information Council in Vienna. The project explored the need to rethink the security architecture in light of the geopolitical challenges, the crisis of the rule-based order, and climate change. I was honoured to be on the International Advisory Board for this project, to share my thinking about the multi-order world, and to contribute feedback to the final report.

The conference also touched upon the future of transatlantic security, and the implications of Putin's war Ukraine for the International Liberal Order. The final discussion brought many experts, and senior Foreign Ministry and MOD officials from the UK, Denmark, Ukraine, Holland, Lithuania, Latvia and Norway. I am thankful to Gry Thomasen for this opportunity and look forward to continuing our work in the direction of comprehensive security and resilience! For reference, please check out my new book on Resilience here.

WUB-hub conference on Ukraine, Belarus and the complex geopolitics of Europe at RUSI, 26 june 2025 - success again!

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:00:00 GMT

The WUB-hub conference at RUSI took place on 26/6/2025 and judging by the participants' feedback, was an absolute success. It gathered politicians, civil servants, diplomatic staff, academics, and practitioners from Europe and UK, generating a vibrant and polemic discussion about the future of security and peace in Ukraine and Belarus, with profound implications for the wider Europe and the world. We were immensely happy to host a special panel of our WUB-hub seed-corn finalists with an opportunity for them to present their research projects’ results. Massive thanks to Paul Hansbury for driving this seed-corn project to fruition! The projects’ findings are available on our website for further information.

Our special thanks are also to the participants of the two panels – on Ukraine and Belarus – and their chairs, Andy and Tatsiana, and to our keynote speakers, and to our high-level panellists. We raised many critical issues, and sought ideas on how nurture security and peace in wider Europe. The conference's photos and a video clip, as well as a report with policy recommendations will be available soon on the WUB-hub website.

We are also indebted to the RUSI staff – Emily and Callum, and Zivile and Sabrina, for their intellectual and highly professional support in hosting our event.

Warwick's Sustainability Training School is about to kick off!

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:17:00 GMT

Between 30 March – 5 April 2025, over 21 next-generation climate leaders from eight countries (and 13 nationalities), will attend Warwick’s pioneering Sustainability Training Academy in Venice. Launched in 2023 by the Institute of Global Sustainable Development (IGSD), and supported by the COP29 Scientific Council, the Sustainability Training Academy equips early career researchers (ECRs) with the interdisciplinary analytical, methodological, and practical skills needed to address the systemic challenges of climate change, climate justice and climate transition.

Security & Defence Chatham House Conference, 6 March 2025

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Professor Korosteleva was invited to attend the 2025 Chatham House 'Security and Defence' conference held on 6 March 2025. The conference brought together over 600 global policymakers, senior military and armed forces figures, business leaders and civil society experts. Keynotes included Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Zaluzhnyi, UK Ministers and NATO senior officials, high-level panel dialogues, and ‘under-the-Rule’ spotlights.

Prof. Elena Korosteleva and Dr Paul Hansbury invited to brief a new Charge D'Affaires designate for Belarus

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:21:00 GMT

Professor Korosteleva and Dr Hansbury represented the WUB-hub on 28 August at the Foreign Office London when briefing a new Head of Mission appointed for Belarus. During the roundtable inter alia the issues of democratic political structures, foreign policy, and civil society developments were discussed.

Professor Korosteleva spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) of the Council of Europe (COE) on Belarus

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 19:46:00 GMT

Professor Korosteleva was invited by the COE Secretariat to speak at the PACE COE conference 'Luxembourg Solutions' on the future of Belarus. The focus of this session was to develop recommendations based on the report produced by Paul Galles (Luxemburg Epp/CD) in 2023, which resolution was adopted by the PACE in 2024. This report and its discussions should lay foundations for the actions by the COE member states - national parliaments - in relation to Belarus, including on the issues of visa and consular protection; political prisoners and refugees; identity preservation, education and employment access for the displaced Belarusians residing in Europe. For more information visit here.

ECR STS 2.0 : Enhancing Research Cultures for Global Collaboration

Thu, 02 May 2024 17:40:00 GMT

The Early Career Researcher Sustainability Training School (ECR STS) Global recently concluded its second edition, marking another significant milestone in the journey towards fostering a transformative and transdisciplinary research culture at Warwick. Building on the success of ECR STS 1.0 held in June 2023, this year's event aimed to further enhance research, impact, and networking opportunities, while investing in a new generation of planet-conscious researchers dedicated to sustainable development.

ECR STS 2.0, held from 15th to 19th April 2024, expanded its reach across borders, bringing together early career researchers (ECRs) from 18 countries and 5 continents. Participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkey, South Africa, and Australia, among others. This global representation not only enriched the discussions but also highlighted the universality of the sustainability agenda. One of the hallmarks of ECR STS 2.0 was its focus on innovative training methods developed by Warwick researchers. Participants had the opportunity to engage in participatory film-making, serious games, and citizen assemblies, offering a unique and immersive learning experience.

A distinguishing feature of ECR STS 2.0 was the active involvement of IGSD Thematic Fellows and the inaugural cohort of ECRs as mentors and trainers. This mentorship model fostered collaboration, knowledge exchange, and peer learning, creating a supportive environment for professional growth and development. Additionally, partnerships with the EUTOPIA consortium and the Commonwealth Futures Climate Research Cohort, ACU, further enriched the experience, underscoring the importance of collaborative research initiatives in driving meaningful change.

ECR STS is not just a training programme; it is a catalyst for transformative action and collaboration. By convening policymakers, practitioners, and young researchers, ECR STS facilitates dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the co-creation of solutions to complex sustainability challenges. As Warwick's flagship initiative with a focus on sustainability, ECR STS is poised to become an initiative that crosses geographical boundaries and contributes to building a more sustainable future for all.

As we at IGSD reflect on the success of ECR STS 2.0, we are reminded of the collective effort and commitment towards advancing sustainable development goals. The diverse perspectives, innovative approaches, and collaborative spirit demonstrated during the training school, serve as a testament to the power of collective and relational action in addressing global challenges. Join us for STS 3.0 in 24/25!

The post-war Soviet famine 1946-47, as explored by Professor Igor Casu, Director of the Moldovan National Archives

Thu, 02 May 2024 13:18:09 GMT

The talk will focus on the post-war Soviet famine with a special focus on what was occurring in Moldovan and Ukrainian SSR. It will be of relevance to all those who are interested in history, politics, geography and sustainable futures, of the post-Soviet space and beyond. The talk is happening on 7 May at 11-13.00 in R0.14 (Ramphal) - everyone is welcome! Alternatively you can join via teams.

Sustainability Spotlight Network+ Initiative - is live now!

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:17:00 GMT

Sustainability Spotlight Network+ Initiative

During the Warwick Research Culture Day on 29 April 2024, the new interdisciplinary Spotlight Initiatives were launched to replace GRPs and to drive the university forward into a new REF landscape. One of them - Sustainability Spotlight - was won by a collective of researchers, led by IGSD.

Sustainability Spotlight is set to be a network-of-networks, focusing on research on sustainability. In addition to IGSD, it includes 4 other networks – the Environmental Humanities Network (led by Prof. Graeme Macdonald, Faculty of Arts), the Sustainable Society Network (led by Prof. Giuliana Battisti, WBS), WESIC (led by Prof. Gary Bending, Life Sciences) and WMG Materials & Innovation Network (led by Associate Prof. Stuart Coles) – and brings together over 2000 researchers! We aim for the network to be all-inclusive, and its objectives are:

Creation of a single information and communication space for all, with a focus on sustainability research
Visualisation of our networks
Nurture the ECR community and STS
Generating joint funding opportunities
Holding a sustainability forum with external stakeholders

We are planning to have an informal launch in early July, and everyone whose research focuses on sustainability is warmly welcome! We will announce the programme soon. Please follow us on https://warwick.ac.uk/research/spotlights/sustainability/.