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  • International Relations

    Karolina Kluczewska

    Geopolitical Reorientations in Central Asia
    Since the Soviet collapse, Central Asian states have been largely oriented towards Russia, seeing it as a reference point in foreign and domestic policies. Russia was even attributed with a status of a “strategic partner”. This suddenly changed with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 which prompted Central Asian policymakers, businesses and civil society to look for new, more reliable partners in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Using a critical geopolitics lens, my project analyses the new “strategic” partnerships emerging in the region. It investigates actors and rationalities of the ongoing geopolitical reorientation, as well as formal and informal practices characterising this process.

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  • Chinese Politics

    Anna Shpakovskaya

    The Changing Logic of China’s Strategic Subnational Diplomacy: The Case of the Sino-German City Partnership in NRW
    This project explores the evolving strategies of Chinese subnational diplomacy, with a particular focus on city partnerships between Chinese cities and those in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. By analysing the driving forces, key actors, practices, and intercity dynamics within China’s urban clusters (城市群), the study highlights the interplay between domestic priorities and international imperatives in shaping China’s global diplomatic agenda. The study emphasises that these city-to-city partnerships function as microcosms of broader geopolitical and socio-economic trends, exerting influence on EU-China relations and contributing to the reconfiguration of global governance frameworks. By situating city diplomacy within the context of China’s global rise, this project illuminates how subnational cooperation complements and enhances China’s state-led diplomatic efforts, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersection of local and global political processes.

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  • Economics

    John Austin

    Spreading Opportunity – Strengthening Democracy
    During my tenure at the NRW Academy of International Affairs, I will build out Heartlands Transformation Network, conduct and deliver additional original research and insights into effective economic regeneration of heartland regions, and address key issues confronting policy makers and economic development and structural change managers in countries of North America and Europe. All designed to spread economic opportunity and strengthen democracies and our transatlantic alliance.

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  • Migration

    Chisomo Banda

    Youth Perspectives on International Migration Policies
    The research will explore the nuanced experiences and views of young people in relation to existing international migration policies. It will further identify the unique challenges they face, such as disrupted education and social exclusion, and to offer recommendations for more inclusive and effective migration frameworks that are in favour of young people. The ultimate goal is provide valuable insights for improving policies to better address the needs of young migrants.

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  • International Relations

    Chiung-Chiu Huang

    De/securitizing China: The Impacts of Security Community on States’ Strategic Assessments
    This research explores how regional security communities shape national strategies in response to global challenges. By comparing Germany (EU/NATO) and Vietnam (ASEAN), it examines how these groups influence members’ views on threats and change. The findings will enhance understanding of diverse multilateralism and how nations adapt amid great power rivalries, offering insights for both scholars and policymakers.

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  • Peace StudiesPolitical Science

    Mariia Levchenko

    Understanding National Dialogues: Exploring Features, Challenges, and Implications for Political Transitions and Sustainable Peace
    National Dialogues have increasingly become vital for managing political transitions and fostering sustainable peace worldwide. This research project seeks to understand the effectiveness of National Dialogues by examining cases in Chad and the potential for such a process in Ukraine. By analyzing both the political and procedural elements, along with the contextual factors that influence outcomes, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how these inclusive dialogues can resolve conflicts and support post-conflict/war recovery.In 2022, Chad implemented a National Dialogue involving diverse stakeholders—from the ruling junta to civilian groups—which aimed to enhance national cohesion and lay foundations for a peaceful future. However, the effectiveness of this dialogue hinges not just on its conduct but also on the ongoing engagement and implementation of agreements. Similarly, Ukraine, which is currently fighting an invasion and considering the implementation of a Peace Plan formula, presents a unique scenario to explore the potential and challenges of initiating a National Dialogue there. The anticipated comparative analysis will highlight common features, challenges, and lessons from both contexts, offering insights beneficial for other regions experiencing political upheaval.

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  • Political ScienceAssociate Fellow

    Bernhard Stahl

    When foreign policy does not speak – the silencing of mass atrocities in foreign policy
    The research project aims to investigate the under-theorized concept of silence within the realm of foreign policy analysis, particularly concerning the silencing of mass atrocities. This project seeks to address the gap in social-constructivist foreign policy research by examining how silence operates and its implications for foreign policy decisions and discourse. The research is motivated by the observation that, despite the widespread acceptance of silence as a significant factor in political science and related social sciences, it has not been adequately explored within foreign policy analysis. The project posits that foreign policy silence does not merely equate to the absence of speech but includes the strategic omission or downplaying of critical issues. This form of silence can shape perceptions and policies in profound ways, often leaving significant matters unaddressed. The project’s theoretical framework challenges the prevailing logocentric focus on articulated language in foreign policy studies. By incorporating silence into the analysis, the studies aim to provide a more holistic understanding of foreign policy. This approach will involve the conceptualization of silence, distinguishing between different types of silence such as imposed silence (resulting from violence or institutional constraints) and purposive silence (intentional non-communication). Empirically, the project will focus on the foreign policies of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This comparative case study will explore how these democracies, which theoretically should engage in open discourse on such severe crimes, often remain silent. By analyzing this silence, patterns and motivations behind the lack of articulation in foreign policy regarding mass atrocities will be uncovered.

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  • International PoliticsAssociate Fellow

    Milla Vaha

    From the Nuclear to the Climatic Threat: Existential Insecurities in the Pacific Island Countries
    The research project undertaken by Ms. Milla Vaha delves into the profound impacts of historical nuclear testing and contemporary climate change on the existential security of Pacific Island nations. Spanning from 1946 to 1996, nuclear tests conducted by major world powers have left a lasting legacy on regions such as Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and Maohi Nui (French Polynesia). This study seeks to elucidate the interconnections between these historical events and the current climate crisis, exploring how the remnants of nuclear activities have shaped these communities’ perceptions of existential threats. The research is structured around pivotal questions addressing the extent to which nuclear testing has influenced the perception of climatic existential threats, how nuclear legacies have informed national and regional security frameworks, and the continuous impacts of vulnerabilities introduced during atomic testing on climate resilience. Through a combination of archival research, interviews, and desk research, the project aims to provide novel insights into the study of existential threats within the realm of International Relations and political practice. It further aspires to offer policy recommendations for addressing losses and damages due to climate change by linking them to the historical responsibilities of nuclear powers. Focusing on three case studies—Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Maohi Nui—the research highlights the unique vulnerabilities of these small island entities, which have been significantly impacted by their nuclear history. The choice of these cases is justified by their shared experiences as nuclear testing sites and their distinct sovereign statuses, providing a comprehensive understanding of how historical legacies influence current security scenarios and policy responses. The research not only contributes to our understanding of existential threats and security in International Relations but also addresses the broader implications of climate justice and the historical responsibilities of nuclear powers, thereby providing a meaningful framework for compensatory policies for the affected Pacific Island communities.

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  • PhilosophyAssociate Fellow

    Chelsea Haramia

    Global Planning for Post-Detection
    Dr. Haramia’s research focuses on global planning for post-detection scenarios, i.e., scenarios that humans may face following a successful detection of extraterrestrial life or technology in outer space. Gauging public attitudes towards candidate global actions is fundamental for ethical questions of global consent. Informed consent, when it is possible to obtain, is arguably critical for morally appropriate representation and risk taking. Thus, consent regarding risk and representation is a crucial area of targeted analysis in current post-detection research. Dr. Haramia’s work underscores the need to navigate speculative discourse and promote ethical inquiry in order to leverage existing resources for effective preparedness.
    Central to her research agenda is the exploration of methodologies for assessing public attitudes towards global risks and securing global consent for post-detection proposals. She outlines both theoretical and concrete strategies aimed at advancing research into post-detection. She poses pivotal questions to guide her investigation, delving into the necessity of current and future tools, policies, and interdisciplinary research frameworks for navigating potential contact with extraterrestrial entities. Additionally, she explores the potential of foresight studies training and AI-driven programs in bolstering global preparedness and representation, addressing concerns of overrepresentation, misrepresentation, inclusion, and others in planetary future planning endeavors.

    Dr. Haramia’s work stems from a comprehensive overview of the historical context of post-detection research, tracing its origins from the early days of SETI science to the formulation of contemporary post-detection protocols.
    Moreover, she underscores the crucially interdisciplinary nature of research in this field and emphasizes the value of collaborative initiatives. Her overarching goal is to develop defensible thresholds for informed consent and to explore avenues for globally-focused programs that will help to prepare humanity for a post-detection future.

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  • International RelationsAssociate Fellow

    Adam Bower

    Governing outer space security: assessing opportunities and challenges
    Outer space technologies—rockets, satellites, and their supporting terrestrial infrastructure—are critical enablers of modern information-centric societies, with applications ranging from intelligence collection, nuclear early warning, and targeting precision-guided weapons to telecommunications and the internet, mapping and geolocation, environmental monitoring, and weather forecasting. Space systems thus contribute to forms of military, environmental, and human security and are increasingly understood to constitute a key element of national defence and economic power. At the same time, leading space powers are developing counterspace capabilities to threaten adversaries’ satellites. There are widespread concerns that outer space governance is insufficient to manage these security challenges, with significant ambiguities and gaps in existing rules. Fundamental obstacles include competing approaches led by China and Russia and the US and other Western states, respectively, with corresponding risk of the fragmentation of space governance.

    My research examines the status and potential trajectories of outer space governance, specifically concerning the characterisation and regulation of military space operations. I theorise the processes through which international norms and legal rules are promoted and resisted and collect empirical data to assess the nature and extent of such change. My fellowship will be dedicated towards advancing two related projects. First, I examine how the unique physical properties of Earth orbit enable and constrain the use of space technologies for (terrestrial) security missions. Second, I identify mechanisms and processes through which norms regulating military space activities may emerge and transform. My overarching goal is to better integrate outer space into the study of global politics and generate new academic knowledge which can in turn inform policy deliberations among governmental, non-governmental, and commercial space actors aimed at preventing armed conflict in outer space.

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  • EconomicsSpace PolicyAssociate Fellow

    Raúl González Muñoz

    Implementation of the European Union Space Defence & Security Strategy: Key Challenges and Enablers
    This project looks to identify and analyse the key challenges and enablers encountered in the implementation of the European Union Space Strategy for Security and Defence, unveiled on March 10, 2023 by the European Commission and the High Representative (HR) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
    This project will focus in four main areas: (1) space industrial capacity of the EU; (2) space industry frameworks in Europe compared to USA analogues; (3) space market harmonization in Europe supported by a shared space law; and, (4) space as a vector for European integration.
    The final aim of the research is to provide a structured analysis with a particular focus on the industrial capacity of the European space sector compared to other space faring powers, as well as the dynamics of great power competition in space and the role Europe could play in the future geopolitical landscape.

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  • Political ScienceAssociate Fellow

    Inci Öykü Yener-Roderburg

    The role of Germany-based Turkey-originating religious organizations in Turkish and German Elections
    Inci Öykü Yener-Roderburg is conducting a research project that investigates the intricate interplay between religion, diaspora associations, and extraterritorial voting (EV) within the context of Turkey-originating communities in Germany. With the introduction of remote enfranchisement in 2012, Turkish diasporas have witnessed a unique form of political mobilization, yet the specific influence of religious associations on voting behavior remains understudied.

    Drawing on a multidisciplinary approach, this study aims to shed light on three main objectives: Firstly, it seeks to elucidate the significance of religion in shaping political mobilization within diasporas, with a particular focus on Alevi and Sunni faith-based diaspora organizations in Germany. Secondly, it analyzes the mechanisms through which these religious associations facilitate and promote voting participation during Turkish electoral cycles in Germany and during German electoral cycles in Germany. Lastly, it adopts a gender-sensitive perspective to examine the role of women within these organizations and their impact on EV.

    Despite the growing body of literature on emigrant enfranchisement, the role of religion in influencing voting behavior remains largely unexplored. By focusing on Turkey-originating faith-based diaspora organizations in Germany, this research aims to fill this gap and provide a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics at play.

    Through a combination of qualitative methods including ethnographic research and in-depth interviews, this study aims to uncover the motivations, challenges, and strategies behind voting and mobilization within diaspora communities. By examining the intersection of religion, citizenship, and political engagement, it seeks to contribute to broader discussions on diaspora politics and transnational political participation.

    The significance of this research extends beyond academic inquiry, as it has implications for understanding the evolving nature of political participation among diaspora communities, its impact on ‘homeland’. This study delves into the role of religious associations as significant agents in extraterritorial voting, as well as their potential impact on elections in resident countries. The aim is to offer insights that can inform policy-making and deepen our understanding of diaspora engagement in democratic processes within a transnational context.

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