معرفی
Sofie Bedford is an Associate Professor (Docent) in Political Science and affiliated researcher at Uppsala University's Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies (IRES). She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Stockholm University and an MA in Peace and Conflict Research from Uppsala University. Her research focuses on post-Soviet Eurasia, particularly Azerbaijan and Belarus, exploring topics such as authoritarianism, political mobilization, and Islamic activism. Current projects include analyzing Swedish development aid's impact on gender equality in Armenia and Georgia, and studying security mindsets in the South Caucasus. She has led VR-funded projects on opposition dynamics in electoral autocracies and authored/co-authored numerous academic publications.
- Education:
- Ph.D. in Political Science, Stockholm University
- MA in Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University
- Research Projects:
- Following Swedish Aid (FoSAid): Examines gender equality and sexual rights discourses in Eastern Europe.
- Security, Equality, and Mindsets in South Caucasus (SEMS): Analyzes regional security through societal mindsets.
- Building Sustainable Opposition in Electoral Authoritarian Regimes: Investigates opposition dynamics in Belarus and Azerbaijan.
Her research interests span hybrid regimes, democratization, autocratic politics, and the interplay between religion and state in post-Soviet contexts. She has taught at the University of Vienna and Webster Vienna Private University, and her work frequently addresses the societal impact of conflict and authoritarian governance.
Notable Contributions:
- Expert on opposition dynamics in Azerbaijan and Belarus.
- Leading analysis on the paradox of democracy promotion reinforcing non-democratic regimes.
- Pioneering work on the role of Islamic activism in post-Soviet politics.
Her recent publications highlight upgrading authoritarianism in Azerbaijan, the 2020 Belarusian election's destabilizing effects, and the societal impact of war in Azerbaijan.
