Institute of International Relations and Political Science

Institute of International Relations and Political Science

Sukurta: 16 September 2013

tspmi

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 251 4130, fax 251 4134
E-mail 
www.tspmi.vu.lt
 
Dean - Prof. Dr. Ramūnas Vilpišauskas

STAFF

38 teachers (28 holding research degree), 3 research fellows (2 holding research degree), 19 doctoral students.

RESEARCH AREAS

Transformations of Lithuanian Political life: Theory and Practice
Development of the European Union after Lisbon Treaty
International Politics: Problems, Research Methods and Challenges for Lithuanian Foreign Policy 

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2015 

M. Zapolskis. Burden sharing behaviour of small NATO States (2007–2012).
L. Strupinskienė. The Impact of the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia on Reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2015

International conferences:

Self-Determination Processes in the EU
Hybrid Threats: Overcoming Ambiguity, Building Resilience
Security Architecture in the CEE: Present Threats and Prospects for Cooperation 

MAIN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2015

Dr. V. Nakrošis received Alena Brunovska Award for Teaching Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2015.

Dr. I. Petronytė received Lithuanian Academy of Sciences prize for research of young scientists (awarded for the doctoral dissertation).

 

DEPARTMENT OF EUROPEAN STUDIES

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 251 4142, fax 251 4134
E-mail:

Head – Prof. Dr. Gediminas Vitkus

STAFF 

Professors: Habil. Dr. J. Čičinskas, Dr. V. Nakrošis, Dr. V. Radžvilas, Dr. R.Vilpišauskas, Dr. G. Vitkus.
Associate professors: Dr. E. Barcevičius, Dr. S. Kropas, Dr. Ž. Martinaitis.
Senior research fellow: Dr. K. Maniokas.
Lecturers: Dr. L. Kasčiūnas, Dr.V. Kuokštis, Dr. D. Žvalionytė.
Assistants and junior research fellows: L. Jurkonis, S. Karmazinaitė, V.Pukinaitė.
Doctoral students: S. Bankauskaitė-Grigaliūnaitė, I. Giedraitytė, L. Kojala, M. Skuodis, D. Skusevičienė, D. Skusevičius.

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Europeanization process in the EU member states
EU enlargement and EU institutional reforms
Public administration reforms and public policy change

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2015

Projects Supported by University Budget 

Public Administration Reforms and Public Policy Changes in Lithuania and European Union. Prof. Dr. V. Nakrošis. 2014–2015.

The aim of the project is to analyse the global transformations of smart governance, public administration initiatives in EU institutions and EU member states, to explain the changes of Lithuanian public policy and public administration in European context.

The major research results were related to the analysis and explanation of the fiscal consolidation in Lithuania. 

Main publications:

Kuokštis, V.  2015. Cooperating Estonians and ‘Exiting’ Lithuanians: trust in times of crisis. Post-Soviet Affairs, vol. 31 (6), p. 557–575.

Kuokštis, V. 2015. Baltic States in world markets: does Katzenstein’s framework still hold? Journal of Baltic Studies, vol. 46 (2), p. 109–126.

Nakrošis, V., Vilpišauskas, R., Kuokštis, V. 2015. Fiscal consolidation in Lithuania in the period 2008–2012: from grand ambitions to hectic fire-fighting. International Review of Administrative Sciences, vol. 81 (3), p. 1–19.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Lithuania in the European Union: Transformation or Imitation? (No. MIP-010/2013). Assoc. Prof. Dr. K. Maniokas. 2013–2015.

The research project aims to examine, assess and explain Europeanization of the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEEC), which have become EU members in 2004 and 2007. Analysis was carried out at the level of polity, politics and policy distinguishing: a) the identity and quality of democracy, b)institutions and public policy aspects.

Main publications: 

Maniokas, K. (red.). 2015. Pirmasis Lietuvos dešimtmetis ES: transformacija ar imitacija? Vilnius: VU leidykla.

Research Council of Lithuania. Performance Priorities of the Lithuanian Government: Implementation Process and Result (No. MIP-14450). Prof. Dr. V. Nakrošis. 2013–2015.

The main aim is to explain why even the most important Government performance priorities might be not successfully implemented over a sufficiently long period of time. To test a proposed explanatory model six case studies on the main Government XV performance priorities were carried out (structural reforms in the energy sector, reform of higher education, public administration reform (civil service reform), health care reform, employment and reduction of social exclusion, as well as a programme of residential buildings’ renovation). 

Main publication:

Nakrošis, V., Barcevičius, E., Vilpišauskas, R. (red.). 2015. Kada reformos virsta pokyčiais: politinis dėmesys, palaikymo koalicijos ir lyderystė A. Kubiliaus vyriausybės veiklos 2008–2012 m. laikotarpiu. Vilniaus universiteto leidykla.

International Research Projects

COST action project. Local Public Sector Reforms: an International Comparison. Prof. V. Nakrošis. 2013–2017.

The action will generate coherent data bases for systematic comparison of local governments with a view to streamlining analytical approaches and synthesizing research outcomes using methodological triangulation (qualitative/quantitative techniques). The Action will provide a platform for establishing a new set of comparative (descriptive, explanatory, and evaluative) knowledge on local public sector reforms and for integrating the fragmented research activities in this neglected area of investigation. It aims to enhance the scope of the conceptual foundations as well as the methodological rigour of comparative public administration.

EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms 2009–2014. Energy Security in the Baltic Sea Region: Regional Coordination and Management of Interdependencies. Prof. R. Vilpišauskas. 2014–2015.

The main goal of the project is to assess the current situation of energy security in the Baltic Sea Region focusing on the patterns of (asymmetrical) trade interdependencies as well as policy coordination initiatives aimed at managing those interdependencies.

Main publication:

Vilpišauskas, R., Godzimirski, J.M., Švedas, R. 2015. Energy Security in the Baltic Sea Region: Regional Coordination and Management of Interdependencies. Vilnius: VU leidykla. 

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Centre of European Integration Studies
TransEuropean Policy Studies Association (TEPSA)
EPIN - European Policy Institutes Network
European Social, Legal and Economic Projects (Lithuania)
Public Policy and Management Institute (Lithuania)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Prof. G. Vitkus –

  • editor-in-Chief of the yearbook Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review;
  • editorial board member of the journal Politologija (Political Science);
  • member of Humanities and Social Science Committee of the Lithuanian Research Council.

Prof. R. Vilpišauskas –

  • editorial board member of the journals and series: Journal of Baltic Studies, Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review, Lithuanian Strategic Annual Review, Baltic Journal of Political Science, Politics and Society in the Baltic Sea Region;
  • member of Sunset Commission, State Progress Council. 

Prof. V. Nakrošis – 

 

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 251 4139, fax 251 4134
E-mail:

Head – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tomas Janeliūnas

STAFF

Professor: Dr. T. Janeliūnas.
Senior research fellow: Prof. Dr. R. Lopata.
Associate professors: Dr. D. Jakniūnaitė, Dr. V. Sirutavičius, Dr. M. Šešelgytė.
Lecturers: Dr. K. Andrijauskas, Dr. G. Jasutis, Dr. L. Jonavičius, Dr. D. Jurgelevičiūtė, Dr. E. Leonaitė, Dr. D.Šlekys.
Research fellow: Dr. N. Maliukevičius.
Assistants and junior research fellows: V. Jurkonis, I. Makaraitytė, R. Miglinaitė, L. Pukelis, R. Švedas, Dr. M. Zapolskis.
Doctoral students: M. Antonovič, G. Bartusevičiūtė, V. Beržiūnas, I. Koreivaitė, N. Stankevičius, A. Tumkevič.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

International security
Transatlantic relations
Regional studies: Belarus, Ukraine, and Kaliningrad Oblast
Geo-strategic transformation: old and new challenges for Central and Eastern Europe
Lithuanian foreign and security policy

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2015

Projects Supported by University Budget 

The Policies of International Actors towards Baltic States: Decision Making Mechanisms and Actors. Assoc. Prof. Dr. T. Janeliūnas. 2014–2015.

The aim is to analyse the mechanisms of decision making in the area of foreign policy by main international actors and to construct a "map" of institutions and political and administrative subjects, mapping their interconnections, interests and the determinants of decisions.

Main publications:

Jakniunaite, D., Karabeshkin, L., Vilpišauskas, R. 2015. Lithuania and Russia 1990–2012: from mutual support to suspicion and indifference. In Zagorski A. (ed.), Russia and East Central Europe after the Cold War. Prague: Human Rights Publishers, p. 239–290.

Maliukevičius, N. 2015. The Roots of Putin’s Media Offensive in the Baltic States and Learning the Lessons in Counterstrategies.  In Baltic Visions: European Cooperation, Regional Stability. Warsaw: Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies. 

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Conceptualizing Borders in 21st Century: Discourses and Practices in Central Eastern Europe. (No. MIP-027/2015). Dr. D. Jakniūnaitė. 2015–2017.

Project seeks to analyse the conflict, crisis situations, and as an object of analysis choose the Central Eastern European region, the territorial conflicts of Ukraine and Georgia in particular, and also Lithuania as a different kind of conflict situation, and also includes the analysis of Russia, the significant actor in all contexts. The goal is to analyse the 21st century bordering practices in Central Eastern Europe in conflict situations (the cases of Ukraine, Georgia and Lithuania) by demonstrating the connection between and the role of political, historical, and day to day practices.

Research Council of Lithuania. Challenges of Russian Military Reform. (No. REP-8/2015). Dr. D. Šlekys. 2015–2016.

The goal of this project is to publish two publications concerning political and social dimensions of Russian military reform and one paper about specifics of research and analysis of Russian open and public sources. Recent Russian military reform gets a lot of attention; however, main research is about changes in the structure of armed forces and procurement questions. In order to have a comprehensive view of this reform it is necessary to focus on domestic political and social questions, too. 

International Research Projects

Marie Curie Actions. EU-PREACC - Possibilities and Limits, Challenges and Obstacles of Transferring CEE EU Pre-Accession Best Practices and Experience to Moldova’s and Georgia’s Pre-Accession Process, project Manager. Assoc. Prof. D.  Jakniūnaitė. 2013–2017.

The research covers areas of the EU-Moldova and EU-Georgia cooperation, linked to both, the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan and the EU conditionality. It looks at Moldova’s and Georgia’s economic, legal and political situation and development. It analyses the situation in Moldova and Georgia and suggests benchmarking opportunities best suitable for Moldova and Georgia. The results of the analysis and researchers/lecturers exchange are wrapped up via regular thematic workshops and publications. The output of the research results is also used in improving and developing the European Union-related curricula and courses in all participating universities: in Tartu, Vilnius, Moldova and Georgia.

ERASMUS+ programme via the National Agency in Iceland under the project number: 2014-1-IS01-KA203-000177. States in Europe: Opportunities and Challenges. Dr. D. Jakniūnaitė. 2014–2016.

The overall objective of the project is to create a dynamic consortium of essential transnational strategic partners. The project will focus on innovative teaching, research and publishing in the field of small state studies and European integration. Certain mobility activities for students and teachers will be utilized in order to reach the objectives. The activities will be will be based on four interlinked key teaching and research pillars: Pillar 1: The role of small states in European integration; Pillar 2: Small and smart: Innovation and entrepreneurship in small states; Pillar 3: Best practices and good governance in small states; Pillar 4: Promoting sustainable development in small states. 

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Military Academy of Lithuania (Lithuania)
The Higher School of Economics, Moscow (Russia)
Baltic Defence College, Tartu (Estonia)
Institute of International Affairs and Centre for Small States Studies, University of Iceland

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Assoc. Prof. D. Jakniūnaitė –

  • Editor-in-chief of the journal Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review.

Prof. T. Janeliūnas –

  • Editor-in-Chief of the journal Politologija (Political Science).

Prof. R. Lopata –

  • editorial board member of the journals Politologija (Political Science), Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review, Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review.

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL THEORY

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3154, fax 5 251 4134
E-mail

Head - Prof. Dr. Alvydas Jokubaitis

STAFF

Professors: Dr. A. Jokubaitis, Dr. A. Ramonaitė.
Associate professors: Dr. N. Arlauskaitė, Dr. K. Girnius, Dr. A. Jankauskas, Dr. D. Jastramskis, Dr. P. Ragauskas, Dr. I. Vinogradnaitė.
Senior research fellow: Dr. N. Putinaitė,
Lecturers: Dr. J. Dementavičius, Dr. L. Gudžinskas, Dr. M. Jastramskis, J. Kavaliauskaitė, Dr. I. Petronytė, Dr. M. Saukaitė, Dr. L. Strupinskienė.
Assistants and junior research fellows: V. Mačkinis.
Doctoral students: R. Bakutis, G. Karalius, L. Mažylytė, A. Meškytė, A. Pūras, L. Strupinskienė, J. Ulinskaitė, E. Verseckaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Modern political theory and methodology
Political communication and public relations
Party system and electoral process
Democratization process in Lithuania 

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Invisible Society of Soviet-Era Lithuania: the Revision of Distinction between Systemic and Non-Systemic Social Networks. Prof. Dr. A. Ramonaite. 2012–2015.

The major goal of the research is to conceptualize and determine the underlying distinction between informal social networks that cohabitated and reproduced (post)totalitarian communist system, and social networks that generated alternative social life worlds and were poorly tolerated by the state.

Main publications: 

Ramonaitė, A. (red.). Nematoma sovietmečio visuomenė. Vilnius: Naujasis židinys – Aidai, 2015.

Kažkas tokio labai tikro: nepaklusniosios sovietmečio visuomenės istorijos. In Ramonaitė, A., Kavaliauskaitė, J., Klumbys, V. (eds.). Sakytinės istorijos šaltinių rinkinys. Vilnius: Aukso žuvys, 2015.

Research Council of Lithuania. Good Governance and Trust in Public Institutions Creating Welfare Society in Lithuania. (No. GER-003/2015) Dr. L. Gudžinskas. 2015–2017.

After restoration of independence Lithuania coherently tried to implement Western‐style political and economic reforms. Nevertheless, Lithuania still suffers from low trust in political institutions. This situation creates “vicious circle” because when people tend not to trust state institutions, government’s efficiency to implement reforms declines. This in turn creates even greater mistrust. Consequently, this project aims to unite three important concepts of social sciences – institutions, trust and good governance – and explain the welfare society development in Lithuania as well as to provide a policy brief for decision‐makers.

International Research Projects

EU Lifelong Learning programme. Erasmus academic network PADEMIA. Project coordinator: Dr. Katjana Gattermann, University of Cologne (Germany), IIRPS academic staff involved: Assoc. Prof. Dr. I. Vinogradnaitė. 2013–2016.

The primary objective is to bring together academics involved in research and teaching on the Parliamentary Democracy in Europe in order to overcome persisting disciplinary and geographical divides in EU studies. Project activities include network-wide annual interdisciplinary conferences, international seminars, PhD schools, lecture series, etc. online paper series, a student paper competition, annual research and teaching awards.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Creighton University (USA)
Public Policy and Management Institute (Lithuania)
Lithuanian Institute of History (Lithuania)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES 

Prof. A. Jokubaitis – 

  • editorial board member of the journals Politologija (Political Science), Politeja  and Horyzonty Polityki (Horizons of Politics). 

Prof. A. Ramonaitė -

  • editorial board member of the journals Baltic Journal of Political Science and Politologija (Political Science),;
  • member of the State Progress Council.

Assoc. Prof. A. Jankauskas – 

  • editorial board member of the journals and series: Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review, Lithuanian Strategic Annual Review, Politologija (Political Science).                                               

Dr. L. Gudžinskas -

  • chief editor of the journal Baltic Journal of Political Science;
  • president of the Lithuanian Political Science Association.

Dr. I. Petronytė –

  • Lithuanian Academy of Sciences prize for research of young scientists (awarded for the doctoral dissertation).

List of Editorial Boards: