Stephen Hall

Stephen Hall is a Lecturer in Politics, Languages & International Studies at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Centre for the Study of Violence. His research focuses on the domestic and external politics of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the broader post-Soviet region, with emphasis on authoritarian regimes' survival strategies and learning mechanisms. He has authored a book on authoritarian internationalism and frequently contributes expert commentary on post-Soviet geopolitics to major media outlets like BBC and France 24.

His work addresses topics such as authoritarian learning, regime legitimacy, and the interplay between domestic repression and international behavior. Recent research highlights include analyses of Putin’s Russia under heightened international pressure, the dynamics of factional infighting within the Russian elite, and the evolving rhetoric of Russia’s Ukraine war. Hall’s scholarship bridges academic rigor with public engagement, offering critical insights into authoritarian governance and conflict in Eurasia.

He is currently accepting doctoral students and collaborates with international researchers on post-Soviet political dynamics. His contributions extend to policy-relevant discussions on countering authoritarianism and understanding the resilience of non-democratic regimes. Academic networks include collaborative studies on authoritarian regimes’ adaptive strategies and cross-regional comparisons of political repression.