Justyna Zajac

Justyna Zajac is a Professor of Practice in European Security Studies at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, Indiana University Bloomington. She serves as the Director of the Polish Studies Center, contributing significantly to European security and international relations scholarship. Her academic and policy work spans transatlantic cooperation, Central and Eastern European security, and Poland’s foreign and security policy.

• Full Professor, University of Warsaw, 2018
• Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Warsaw, 2004
• M.A. in International Relations, University of Warsaw, 2001
• M.A. in Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Studies, Università degli Studi di Catania, 2000

Her research focuses on international security, foreign policy analysis, and European integration, with particular emphasis on Poland’s strategic position in NATO and the EU. She examines Euro-Atlantic cooperation, the impact of global power shifts, and Russia’s revisionist policies on regional stability. Her interdisciplinary approach connects political theory with practical diplomacy.

Justyna Zajac’s recent publications reflect a strong trend in analyzing Central and Eastern European security dynamics, EU foreign policy coherence, and transatlantic relations. Her work frequently addresses the interplay between domestic politics and international alignment, especially in Poland’s response to crises such as the Ukrainian conflict and the Arab Spring. Topics like judicial reform, NATO summits, and Mediterranean policy illustrate her engagement with both strategic and normative dimensions of international politics.

She has served in high-level advisory roles, including as a member of the National Strategic Review Committee appointed by the President of Poland, Chairperson of the Council of Young Scientists, and contributor to expert opinions for the Ministry of Regional Development and National Security Bureau. Her public service underscores her influence beyond academia.

• Member, National Strategic Review Committee (appointed by President of Poland)
• Chairperson, Council of Young Scientists, Ministry of Science and Higher Education
• Member, Steering Committee, Standing Group on International Relations, ECPR
• Author of expert opinions for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Polish government agencies

Justyna Zajac is actively involved in academic and policy communities, delivering lectures across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. She teaches courses such as Theories of International Relations, Poland’s Foreign Policy, and Security and Governance, shaping the next generation of scholars and diplomats.