Department of Eastern Studies
The Department of Eastern Studies at the Institute of International Studies, University of Wrocław, is dedicated to the interdisciplinary research and teaching of political, economic, social, and cultural processes in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Our primary focus is on the contemporary transformations and historical legacies that shape the region’s international relations, security dynamics, and domestic policies.
Our research activities encompass a wide range of topics, including geopolitical shifts, regional conflicts, political regimes, economic developments, and the role of external actors in the post-Soviet space. The Department actively engages in theoretical and empirical studies, drawing upon diverse methodological approaches.
We collaborate with international academic institutions, research centres, and think tanks, fostering scholarly exchange and contributing to the global discourse on Eastern European and Eurasian studies. Additionally, we are committed to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the region through specialized courses, research projects, and fieldwork opportunities.
The Department’s faculty comprises experts with extensive experience in regional studies, international relations, and security studies, ensuring high academic excellence and an engaging learning environment.
dr hab. Larysa Leshchenko, prof. UWr
Problems of human rights protection in post-Soviet states; establishing and developing democratic institutions in post-Soviet states; armed conflicts in the post-Soviet region.
dr hab. Elżbieta Szyszlak, prof. UWr
Socio-political transformations in the Visegrád Group countries; security issues in Central and Southeastern Europe; foreign policy of Central and Southeastern European states; conflicts in the territory of Central and Southeastern European states
dr hab. Jarosław Jarząbek, prof. UWr
International relations and domestic politics of Middle Eastern states; security issues in the Middle East and the armed forces of the region’s countries; the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Palestinian independence aspirations; culture and religion in Arab and Islamic states
dr Helena Giebień
Issues of national and ethnic minorities in post-Soviet states; contemporary socio-political transformations in post-Soviet states; functioning in cultural and linguistic borderlands; the psychological aspect of cultural differences; political systems, security policy, and foreign policy of post-Soviet states; environmental security and environmental policy of states; international cultural relations; NGOs in post-Soviet states
dr Anna Jagiełło-Szostak
International security; conflicts and hotspots in the Balkans and Central and Eastern Europe; the social and cultural factor in international relations and security policy; foreign and security policy of Balkan states
dr Marcin Koczan
Energy security; energy policy; security of the New Eastern Europe states; Russia in international relations.
dr Tomasz Szyszlak
Religious revival in the post-Soviet region; Roma in Poland and Eastern Europe; cultural conflicts; police science
mgr Ludmiła Święcicka
Specialized courses in Russian on international relations, national security, and international security
Teaching profile
All Department of Eastern Studies faculty members conduct research and teaching activities within two academic disciplines: political science and administration and security studies. Additionally, they teach courses in English-language programs offered at the Institute of International Studies. ZBW staff supervise bachelor’s and master’s seminars in the following programs: International Relations, National Security, International Security, and the English-language program International Relations – Global Studies.
Courses offered
Specialized Courses
- Human Rights Protection in Post-Soviet States
- Political Systems of Post-Soviet States
- Russia and Eastern Europe in International Relations
- Separatist Movements and Terrorist Organizations in Contemporary Asia
- Central Europe and the Balkans in International Relations
- The Collapse of the Soviet Union and Its Consequences for International Relations
- The Black Sea and Caspian Region in International Relations
General Courses
- Conflicts in the Post-Soviet Region;
- Religious Fundamentalism
- New Faces of Terrorism
- Protection of Cultural Heritage in Times of Peace,
- Crisis and War
- National Security Systems
- Theories of Social and Political Conflicts
- Environmental Security
- Energy Security
- Cultural Security
- Ethnic and Ethno-Religious Conflicts as Examples of Cultural Conflicts
- Contemporary Civilizational Relations
- Public International Law
- History of Political and Legal Doctrines
- International Cultural Relations
- Human Rights in the Contemporary World
- Nations and National Minorities in Central and Eastern Europe
- Central Europe and the Balkans in International Relations
- Far Eastern States in International Relations
- Security of Middle Eastern StatesCrisis Management
