New visiting researcher

The IEE-ULB welcomes Soso Makaradze. He is a PhD student at the University of Salzburg, Austria under the supervision of Michael Blauberger and Doris Wydra.

He holds a joint MA degree in Political Science – Integration And Governance (PoSiG) from the University of Salzburg, Austria and the University of Sarajevo (2021) and BA degree in International Relations from Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (2018). 

Soso Makaradze has arrived at IEE-ULB on 1 February and will be conducting his research here until the end of April. Professor Ramona Coman will supervise his research stay.

Soso Makaradze’s academic interests include EU integration, Europeanisation, democratic backsliding and public opinion. Makaradze is currently working on his PhD project entitled: “The Enforcement of EU Fundamental Values Through Money: Institutional and Societal Preconditions”. In particular, his project focuses on the EU’s conditionality policy in the area of fundamental values and various aspects of its success. It examines public support for the EU’s sanctions against violations of its fundamental values as well as the support of the EU27 member states for common standards of rule of law enforcement.

His research at the IEE-ULB

At IEE-ULB Soso Makaradze is working with Professor Ramona Coman. Recent book of professor Coman with the title: The Politics of the Rule of Law in the EU Polity: Actors, Tools and Challenges but also various high-profile events organized by the institute became the main motivation for Mr. Makaradze to choose to do his research stay at the institute. 

During hir research stay, Mr. Makaradze is planning to deepen his research insights in political willingness for rule of law enforcement in the EU. In practice, this means conducting interviews with officials in member states permanent representations to uncover specific aspects of political positions on rule of law enforcement within the Council of the EU.

How to become a visiting researcher at the IEE-ULB

The IEE-ULB regularly welcomes visiting researchers whose work focuses on its main lines of research.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications which must contain: an up-to-date CV, a research project highlighting the link to one or several of the IEE’s four research themes, the proposed research period, and the name of the IEE-affiliated professor who has agreed to act as the researcher’s supervisor.

Applications should be send to Prof. François Foret, Dominique Dembour, and Dr. Marta Matrakova.

Decisions on visiting research applications are taken by the Council of the IEE, which gathers five times per year. Next dates are:

  • 13 May 2024 and 20 August 2024.

Contact

For any questions about a visiting research stay at the IEE, please contact the IEE’s Research Manager, Dr. Marta Matrakova.