Veronika Stoyanova

Veronika Stoyanova is a Lecturer in Political Sociology at the University of Kent's School of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Kent (2016) and an MA in Social and Public Communication from the London School of Economics (LSE). Her research focuses on post-socialist studies, ideology theory, and critical approaches to racism and marginalization, particularly in Eastern Europe. She examines the legacies of late socialism, transitions to capitalism, and the intersection of civil society with political systems.

Her work analyzes Bulgaria’s protest movements, civil society dynamics, and the contested narratives surrounding 1989's political transformations. She has authored books like Ideology and Social Protests in Eastern Europe: Beyond the Transition’s Liberal Consensus (2018) and edited special issues exploring postcommunism pedagogy and 1989 legacy debates. Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate modules in criminology and sociology, alongside postgraduate social research design courses.

Her research trends emphasize critical analyses of transitional societies, ideological contestations, and cultural marginalization. Recent publications address intellectual dissent in late socialism, Roma marginalization under liberalism, and Bulgaria’s unresolved capitalist transition. Stoyanova’s interdisciplinary approach bridges political theory, post-socialist critique, and Gramscian frameworks to understand societal struggles and hegemonic dynamics.

Her academic contributions include over a dozen peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes. She actively participates in scholarly networks discussing Eastern European politics and postcommunist sociologies. Office hours and additional teaching materials are accessible via the University of Kent’s Moodle platform.