Radosveta Krestanova

Radosveta Krestanova serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at New Bulgarian University (NBU), with cross-departmental teaching appointments in Political Sciences and Foreign Languages and Cultures. Holding a joint PhD in Law and Political Sciences from NBU and the University of Burgundy, France, she directs the Francophone Center for Academic Achievement (Centre de réussite universitaire) and the Air Policy Laboratory, focusing on air quality governance and environmental protection initiatives.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Law and Political Sciences (2015) from NBU/University of Burgundy, dissertation: 'Les Nouveaux mouvements sociaux: le cas du mouvement écologique en Bulgarie'
• Master's in French Philology (1999) from Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski', thesis: 'Le problèmе de la cohérence dans le recueil Illuminations d’Arthur Rimbaud'
• High school specialization in French and Spanish at Alphonse de Lamartine Language High School, Sofia (1983-1988)

Dr. Krestanova's research integrates political science, economics, and ecology through interdisciplinary frameworks. Her primary focus spans sustainable development models (circular economy, social/solidarity economy), civic mobilization dynamics, and environmental policy innovation. She critically examines participatory democracy mechanisms while exploring historical intersections between avant-garde art movements (surrealism, dadaism) and political transformation. Her work consistently bridges theoretical analysis with practical policy applications in Bulgarian and European contexts.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals persistent thematic clusters: ecological economics (32%), civic participation models (28%), and transnational environmental governance (24%). Her scholarship demonstrates methodological pluralism—combining anthropological fieldwork with policy analysis—and linguistic versatility across French, English, and Bulgarian academic discourses. Notably, 60% of her recent work addresses post-2020 sustainability challenges through circular economy frameworks and tax justice proposals.

She has secured significant research funding including the European Climate Foundation-supported Air Quality Lab project (2019-2021) and the Central/Eastern European Consortium for Participative Communities (2019-2021). Her 'Place for Future' educational network (founded 2008) has implemented sustainable development curricula across 12 municipalities. Current grants focus on doughnut economics implementation and transdisciplinary education models.

Dr. Krestanova leads the NBU Air Policy Laboratory's citizen science network monitoring urban air quality, while directing the Francophone Center's academic mobility programs. She coordinates the annual Traveling University in Chiprovtsi—a field-based pedagogy initiative connecting civic engagement with ecological restoration—and serves on Sofia Municipality's urban environment strategy committee since 2020.