معرفی
Armend Bekaj serves as a Researcher at Uppsala University's Department of Peace and Conflict Research since January 2021, where he contributes to the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament as part of Working Group 2 on International Measures for Compliance to Nuclear Disarmament Regimes. His work bridges academic research with policy application through active collaboration with Professor Peter Wallensteen on nuclear sanctions regimes.
His educational foundation includes a PhD from the University of Sheffield and a Master in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford's Peace Studies Department. This training supports his mixed-methods approach with emphasis on qualitative analysis of complex political transitions.
Bekaj's research critically examines two interconnected domains: nuclear disarmament verification mechanisms and the political trajectories of post-conflict societies. His Western Balkans expertise informs analyses of democratization versus autocratization trends, particularly regarding former combatants' roles in institution-building. Current projects focus on sanctions efficacy in nuclear non-proliferation and long-term democratic consolidation in transitory contexts.
Recent publications reveal a methodical progression from regional case studies (Kosovo/North Macedonia) toward comparative nuclear policy frameworks. The 2024 edited volume on sanctions demonstrates growing influence in disarmament scholarship, while his Global State of Democracy contributions establish credibility in quantitative democracy assessment.
As convener of DPCR's internship programme for Bachelor's and Master's students, Bekaj facilitates practical engagement with peace research. His pre-academic career includes significant project leadership at International IDEA (developing democracy indices), OSCE Kosovo (as Chief of Analysis), and USAID civil society initiatives, demonstrating consistent policy-relevant expertise.
He currently coordinates a multi-disciplinary edited volume on nuclear disarmament verification through the Alva Myrdal Centre network, extending his collaborative research on compliance mechanisms within international security frameworks.
