Magdalena Dembinska

Magdalena Dembinska is a Full Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Université de Montréal, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She is an active researcher at the Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (CÉRIUM), the Canadian Centre for German and European Studies (CCÉAE), and the Centre for Peace and International Security Studies (CEPSI). Her work focuses on ethnopolitical conflicts, de facto states, and identity transformations in post-communist societies.

Education includes:

• Post-doctoral studies at McGill University (2007–2009)
• Ph.D. in Political Science, Université de Montréal (2007)
• M.Sc. in Political Science, Université de Montréal (1998)
• M.A. in International Relations and Latin American Studies, Warsaw University (1995–1996)

Her research explores identity politics, nationalism, and ethnic conflicts, with emphasis on state/nation-building in de facto states (e.g., Transnistria, Abkhazia) and inter-ethnic reconciliation. She employs comparative methods to analyze elite strategies and societal receptivity in divided societies across Eurasia and Central Europe. Her agenda spans ethno-political movements, historical reconciliation, and institutional trust-building.

Publications reveal consistent focus on de facto states, EU-Russia relations, and conflict resolution. Recent articles (2014–2024) analyze geopolitical patronage, nation-building in separatist regions, and deliberative democracy. Trends highlight localized actor autonomy in international conflicts and innovative theoretical frameworks for cooperation/conflict dynamics.

She has supervised 16 PhD and Master’s students on topics like nationalism, diaspora politics, and frozen conflicts. Major grants include:

• ‘Autonomy of Actors in Asymmetric Relations’ (SSHRC, 2022–2027)
• ‘Minority Activism in De Facto States’ (SSHRC, 2022–2025)
• ‘Cooperation and Conflict Between Europe and Russia’ (SSHRC, 2016–2022)

She leads collaborations within CÉRIUM and CEPSI, examining security, borders, and international brokerage in conflict zones. Current projects investigate geopolitical navigation between Russia and the EU.