Geopolitical Rivalry Professors and Supervisors

Kirił Marinowمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of LodzPoland

Kirił Marinow serves as Associate Professor at the Department of Byzantine History within the Faculty of Philosophy and History at the University of Lodz. With a career spanning over two decades at the institution, he progressed from Assistant positions in Medieval History (2005-2008) to Assistant Professor (2010-2021), before achieving his current rank in 2021. His institutional involvement extends beyond teaching and research through significant administrative roles including membership in the Faculty Council since 2008, the University Senate (2012-2020), and serving as Faculty Coordinator for the Erasmus+ programme (2020-2021). Marinow's research focuses on Medieval Bulgarian history (7th-14th centuries), Byzantine-Bulgarian relations, historical geography of the Balkan Peninsula, Byzantine militarism, and Byzantine literature. His scholarly work examines military struggles, mutual perceptions between Byzantines and Bulgarians, and the historical significance of medieval capitals like Constantinople, Great Preslav, and Veliko Tarnovo. He has developed particular expertise in analyzing Byzantine military manuals, fortresses in the Haemus Mountains, and the role of the Bible in medieval Balkan culture. His 83 publications demonstrate consistent scholarly output with recent work emphasizing geopolitical analysis of Byzantine-Bulgarian relations, cultural transmission mechanisms, and comparative urban studies of medieval capitals. The publications reveal a methodological approach combining historical source analysis with archaeological evidence and geographical considerations. First Degree Prize of the Rector of the University of Lodz (individual) for 'Byzantium and Bulgaria in the 7th-14th centuries. Rivalry and coexistence' (2017) Second Degree Award of the Rector of the University of Lodz (team) for 'Bulgarian Tsarism. Politics–society–economy–culture, 866–971' (2016) Bronze Medal for Long Service awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland (2016) First Degree Award of the Rector of the University of Lodz (team) for 'Constantinople - New Rome. City and People in the Early Byzantine Period' (2013) Marinow serves as scientific secretary of 'Studia Ceranea' journal since 2011 and participates in numerous editorial boards across Poland and Bulgaria. His four promoted theses reflect his mentoring role, while his involvement in four major research projects demonstrates his capacity to secure funding and collaborate internationally, particularly with Bulgarian institutions. His office hours are held on Monday from 10:15-11:45, maintaining direct engagement with students.

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Reza Yeganehshakibمشاهده پروفایل

مدرس

California State University, Dominguez HillsUnited States

Dr. Reza Yeganehshakib serves as a Lecturer in the Department of History within the College of Arts & Humanities at California State University, Dominguez Hills. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Irvine, an M.S. in Environmental Studies from California State University, Fullerton, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. His research spans global and Middle Eastern history with specialized focus on environmental history, sustainability frameworks, and energy policy analysis. This interdisciplinary approach bridges historical scholarship with contemporary geopolitical challenges, particularly examining infrastructure projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railroad and energy partnerships between Iran and India. His publications consistently explore how historical contexts shape modern resource diplomacy and regional cooperation in Eurasia and the Middle East. Dr. Yeganehshakib has received significant recognition including: Summer Dissertation Fellowship from UC Irvine School of Humanities (2013) Persian Studies Dissertation Fellowship (2013) Graduate Student Research and Travel Award (2011) Ali Asghar Payravi Graduate Fellowship (2010) Humanities and Social Sciences Master’s Thesis Award (2008) He maintains active engagement with current affairs through media contributions to outlets like Forbes, Al Monitor, and Indus News, while his industry experience as an environmental and energy policy consultant provides practical context for his academic work. His teaching portfolio includes Global Environmental Studies, U.S. Environmental History, and World History courses that integrate sustainability perspectives with traditional historical narratives.

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Ronald Bobroffمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Bryant UniversityUnited States

Ronald Bobroff is a Professor of History, Literature, and the Arts at Bryant University, where he has taught since returning to New England in 2019. Previously, he held academic positions in North Carolina and Georgia. His research examines 19th-20th century European international relations, with emphases on Russia, France, and World War I diplomacy. Education: Ph.D. and M.A. in History, Duke University M.Sc., London School of Economics and Political Science B.A., University of Pennsylvania Research Focus: Professor Bobroff investigates Great Power rivalries, military decision-making, and diplomatic strategies in pre-WWI Europe, particularly Russian policy in the Balkans and Ottoman territories. His work frequently analyzes how cultural factors like elite masculinity influenced statecraft. Awards and Honors: Merit Award for Teaching, Service, and Scholarship (2023) Service Award (2025)

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Sheila Miyoshi Jagerمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Menlo CollegeUnited States

Sheila Miyoshi Jager is a distinguished Professor of East Asian Studies at Oberlin College, recognized as a leading historian of Korea and East Asia. Her scholarly work spans over two decades, focusing on nation-building, war memory, and great power competition in Northeast Asia. She has established herself as a prominent voice in Korean historical studies through multiple influential publications and significant media engagement. Professor Jager's research interests center on Korean history, East Asian geopolitics, and the intersection of gender with national identity formation. Her work examines how historical narratives shape contemporary politics, particularly in divided societies like Korea. She has pioneered attention to gender dimensions in Korean nationalism while also analyzing broader geopolitical patterns, most recently in her award-winning examination of imperial rivalries over Korea at the turn of the 19th-20th century. Her publication record shows a consistent trajectory of increasingly influential work, beginning with her 2003 book on Korean nation-building and culminating in her 2023 award-winning 'The Other Great Game.' These works demonstrate her evolving focus from domestic Korean narratives to the broader regional context of imperial competition. Her scholarship bridges disciplinary divides between history, political science, and anthropology, creating a more comprehensive understanding of East Asian historical development. 2024 Robert L. Jervis and Paul W. Schroeder Best Book Award from APSA 2024 Duke of Wellington Medal for Military History Library of Congress National Book Festival selection (2013) Smith Richardson International Security & Foreign Policy grant (2020) Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship (2014-15) Professor Jager has secured significant research funding including a major Smith Richardson grant for her award-winning book project. Her scholarly influence extends beyond academia through media contributions to The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Politico Magazine, where she connects historical analysis to contemporary policy issues. Her expertise has also been sought for documentaries on the Korean War, demonstrating the real-world relevance of her historical scholarship.

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Suisheng Zhaoمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Menlo CollegeUnited States

Suisheng Zhao is a Professor of Chinese politics and foreign policy at the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He serves as director of the school's Center for China–US Cooperation, and is the founding editor and the editor-in-chief of the multidisciplinary Journal of Contemporary China. His academic work focuses on Chinese politics, foreign policy, and international relations, with particular expertise in Chinese nationalism, US-China relations, and China's global role. Professor Zhao's research interests span several key areas of contemporary Chinese studies. He has made significant contributions to understanding Chinese nationalism, particularly how the Chinese state has promoted patriotic education and constructed national identity since the 1990s. His work examines how this state-led nationalism influences China's foreign policy behavior and regional relations. Additionally, he has extensively analyzed China's approach to international relations, including its 'Belt and Road Initiative,' energy security strategies, and engagement with Africa. A recurring theme in his research is the examination of the 'China Model' of development and whether it represents a viable alternative to Western modernization paradigms. Professor Zhao's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly impact across decades, with influential works including 'A Nation-State by Construction: Dynamics of Modern Chinese Nationalism' (2004), 'The China Model: can it replace the Western model of modernization?' (2010), and 'Rethinking the Chinese World Order: the imperial cycle and the rise of China' (2015). His recent work has focused on contemporary challenges in US-China relations, China's global leadership aspirations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the evolving dynamics of great power competition. His research shows a progression from analyzing China's domestic political development to examining its growing role in global affairs, reflecting China's own transformation on the world stage. As the founding editor of the Journal of Contemporary China, Professor Zhao has played a significant role in shaping scholarly discourse on contemporary Chinese affairs. Through his leadership of the Center for China-US Cooperation, he has fostered dialogue and understanding between scholars and practitioners from both countries. His work bridges academic research and policy relevance, making significant contributions to both theoretical understanding and practical policymaking regarding China's role in the world.

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Christopher Dayمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

College of CharlestonUnited States

Christopher Day serves as Professor of Political Science and Director of African Studies at the College of Charleston, where he integrates extensive fieldwork in Africa with academic leadership. His role encompasses program direction, editorial responsibilities for African Studies Review , and policy engagement through the Enough Project. His educational trajectory features: Ph.D. in Political Science from Northwestern University M.A. in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins SAIS B.A. in Political Science from College of Charleston Research centers on African comparative politics with emphases on civil-military relations beyond coups, security dynamics, and conservation politics. His work examines how military institutions interact with governance structures, how rebel groups transition to governance, and the militarization of wildlife protection in conflict zones. This interdisciplinary approach bridges political theory with urgent practical challenges across the continent. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal three dominant threads: innovative frameworks for understanding civil-military dynamics beyond coups; rigorous examination of research ethics in conflict zones; and analysis of conservation-security intersections. His scholarship demonstrates consistent methodological rigor while addressing evolving political realities in Africa, particularly regarding military governance and environmental conflict. Professional recognition includes: Book Review Editor, African Studies Review Steering Committee Chair/Treasurer, Southeastern Regional Seminar in African Studies (SERSAS) Non-resident Senior Fellow, the Enough Project Teaching spans World Politics, Comparative Politics, and specialized courses like Politics of Africa and Model African Union. His academic service extends through SERSAS leadership and editorial work, while policy contributions emerge through the Enough Project fellowship. Though specific grant details aren't documented, his fieldwork-intensive research implies sustained external funding support. As Director of African Studies, Day cultivates institutional partnerships and academic programming that connect Charleston with broader Africanist scholarship networks. His leadership in SERSAS facilitates regional collaboration among African studies scholars, while his Enough Project affiliation links academic insights to policy advocacy on African conflicts.

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