Eiki Berg is a Professor at the University of Tartu's Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies in Estonia, where he specializes in international politics with particular focus on de facto states, territorial sovereignty, and critical geopolitics. His research examines contested statehood in post-Soviet spaces, exploring how unrecognized entities navigate international relations despite lacking universal recognition. Berg's research interests center on sovereignty contestations, border dynamics, and the politics of recognition in secessionist conflicts. His work investigates how de facto states like Abkhazia, Northern Cyprus, and Transnistria exercise agency within patron-client relationships while seeking international engagement without formal recognition. He analyzes territorial adjustments, frozen conflicts, and the evolving norms of sovereignty in contemporary international relations, particularly examining how great powers challenge territorial integrity norms through land swaps and annexations. His scholarly output reveals consistent focus on de facto state agency, patron-client dynamics, and the intersection of territoriality with sovereignty claims. Recent publications examine how entities like Kosovo, Taiwan, and Palestine leverage civil society organizations for international engagement, how de facto states responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implications of Russia's actions in Crimea for international norms. National Science Award in the field of Social Sciences (2012) for research on 'Identities, Conflicting Self-Determination and De Facto States' Berg maintains extensive research collaborations across Europe, working with scholars on border security, EU-Russia relations, and conflict resolution in post-Soviet spaces. His work has been supported through various research projects examining engagement without recognition frameworks and the geopolitical dimensions of border regions, particularly along the Estonia-Russia frontier. While specific grant details aren't provided in the text, his prolific publication record indicates sustained research funding. His research contributes significantly to understanding how borderlands function under surveillance, how de facto states navigate international politics, and how territorial conflicts might be resolved through innovative diplomatic approaches that don't require immediate recognition.
