Cynthia Buckley

Cynthia Buckley is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity and the European Union Center. She holds a BA in Economics, MA in Russian Studies, and PhD in Sociology from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on population dynamics, social equity, and development in Eurasia, particularly examining geopolitical stability, healthcare provision, reproductive health, and political demography.

Key research initiatives include the Central Eurasian State Capacity Initiative (CESCI), analyzing state provision in healthcare, education, and elections, and a book project on Central Asia's political demography. Major grants include a $968,000 NSF grant (2009-2013) on Eurasian migration systems and a John Richards Fellowship for Afghanistan health studies. She also serves on editorial boards for Contemporary Sociology and sociological research grants.

Her work bridges social science and policy, addressing topics like HIV/AIDS in the Caucasus, labor migration impacts, and post-conflict healthcare infrastructure in Ukraine's Donbas region. Teaching includes courses on HIV/AIDS and population health dynamics.