Institute of International Relations and Political Science

Institute of International Relations and Political Science

Sukurta: 09 April 2024

tspmiVokiečių g. 10, LT-01130, Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) (5) 251 41 30

www.tspmi.vu.lt
Director – Prof. Dr Margarita Šešelgytė

 

STAFF
58 teachers (incl. 40 holding research degree), 10 research fellows (incl. 7 holding research degree).

DEPARTMENTS OF THE FACULTY
Department of Political Philosophy and History of Ideas
Department of Political Behaviour and Institutions
Department of International Relations
Center of European Studies
Public Administration and Policy Analysis Center
The (Post)Soviet Memory Studies Center

RESEARCH AREAS
• Political behaviour, political attitudes and subjectivity with a specific interest in communist and post-communist legacies
• Political economy of European integration
• Security and conflict studies

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2023
R. Garškaitė-Antonowicz. The Role of Catholicism in Everyday Thinking about the European Union: Lithuanian Case.
M. Bernatavičius. Safeguarding the Euro Area: How Politics of Conditionality and Financial Markets Affect Crisis Management Roles of the ECB and the ECJ.
J. Jachovič. The Reconstruction of Belarusian National Identity: Discourses and Processes, 2014–2019.

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2023
1. International conference – discussion “EU enlargement: creating an opportunity for a stronger EU instead of becoming a hostage of institutional debate”, 12 June, 2023. More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/789053829475475
2. International conference “Peace, Security and Defence Summit – beyond the aftermath: envisioning the new security normal”, 20 June, 2023. More information: https://www.friendsofeurope.org/events/peace-security-and-defence-summit-what-will-the-new-security-normal-look-like/?fbclid=IwAR2lr63P6PTVrA4prsh15Xb0YzWP_VV-ZL0V1o6b9QSODT1oh-vH-Rgdh78.
3. International conference “New and Minority Religions, Crises, and Resilience: Overcoming Inner and External Obstacles”, 20–23 June 2023. More information: https://cesnur.org/2023/vilnius-program.htm
4. International conference “Belarus and Belarusians, 2020+: Assessing Prospects and Challenges for the Country’s Democratic Future”, 24 October, 2023. More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/876333727441395/.
5. Annual Lithuanian Political Science Conference “The Echoes of Polycrisis in Lithuania and the World”, 30 November – 1 December, 2023. More information: https://www.tspmi.vu.lt/en/konferencijos-2/annual-political-science-conference-2023/

MAIN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023
1. Grumbinaitė, I. (2023). The Rotating European Union Council Presidency and Small Member States: Small States, Big Challenge. Taylor & Francis. DOI: 10.4324/9781003290599
2. Peak, T. (2023). Halting genocide in a post-liberal international order: intervention, institutions and norms. International Affairs, 99(2), 787-804. DOI: 10.1093/ia/iiad003
3. Ramonaitė, A. (2023). Does communist nostalgia lead to COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs? European Societies, 25(3), 489-508. DOI: 10.1080/14616696.2022.2132525.

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL BEHAVIOR AND INSTITUTIONS

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 2514130
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Ainė Ramonaitė

STAFF
Professors: Dr A. Ramonaitė
Associate professors: Dr J. Dementavičius, Dr L. Gudžinskas, Dr M. Jastramskis, Dr D. Šlekys, Dr I. Vinogradnaitė, Dr N. Putinaitė, Dr L. Strupinskienė, Dr J. Ulinskaitė
Assistant professors: Dr N. Maliukevičius, Dr I. Petronytė-Urbonavičienė, Dr L. Vervečkienė
Teaching assistants/Junior research fellows: Dr R. Garškaitė-Antonowicz
Lecturers: V. Jurkonis
Doctoral students: A. Dementavičienė, P. Skirkevičius, V. Budreckaitė, V. Navickaitė, J. Kavaliauskaitė, G. Kanapka

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Party politics and electoral behaviour
• Civil society, political participation, political attitudes, and political communication
• Democracy, political institutions, comparative politics

 

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 2514130
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Dovilė Jakniūnaitė

STAFF
Professors: Dr N. Arlauskaitė, Dr T. Janeliūnas, Dr D. Jakniūnaitė, Dr R. Vilpišauskas, Dr G. Vitkus, Dr M. Šešelgytė
Associate professors: Dr K. Andrijauskas, Dr V. Kuokštis, Dr V. Sirutavičius, Dr D. Šlekys, Dr L. Strupinskienė, Dr T. Peak, Dr L. Jonavičius
Assistant professors: Dr M. Antonowicz, Dr V. Beržiūnas, Dr N. Maliukevičius, Dr I. Koreivaitė, Dr I. Giedraitytė
Lecturers: G. Biržytė, V. Jurkonis, L. Kojala
Doctoral students: R. Boruta, J. Lingevičius, N. Mataitytė, I. Skurdauskaitė, S. Vaškevičiūtė, E. Indrašiūtė, P. D. Petrošius, N. Stankevičius, I. Šakelaitė

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Analysis of global political processes, environment and structures
• International relations; international law; international political economy; international institutions; the foreign policy of great powers; the changing nature of world power etc.
• Area studies: analysis of Russia, Europe (focusing on Eastern and Southern countries), Middle East; Eastern and Southern Asia; Latin America
• Security and conflict studies
• Analysis of Lithuanian foreign policy as well as its security policy

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY OF IDEAS

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 2514130
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Alvydas Jokubaitis

STAFF
Professors: Dr V. Davoliūtė, Dr A. Jokubaitis
Associate professors: Dr J. Dementavičius, Dr K. Girnius, Dr A. Jankauskas, Dr V. Sirutavičius, Dr I. Vinogradnaitė, Dr N. Putinaitė, Dr V. Bartninkas
Assistant professors: Dr S. Čelutka, Dr L. Jokubaitis, Dr G. Karalius, Dr V. Mačkinis
Lecturers: Dr A. Noreikaitė
Doctoral students: A. Dementavičienė, L. Ivanauskas, D. Kaminskas, J. Kavaliauskaitė, G. Norkūnaitė, I. Šakelaitė

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Politics and the self
• Three strategies of accelerating political modernization: interwar period, soviet years and the post-soviet era
• The relationship between democracy and republic
• Contradictions of modern political life

 

CENTER OF EUROPEAN STUDIES

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 2514130
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Gediminas Vitkus

STAFF
Professors: Dr R. Vilpišauskas, Dr G. Vitkus
Associate professors: Dr L. Gudžinskas, Dr V. Kuokštis, Dr D. Kriaučiūnas, Dr N. Putinaitė, Dr R. Švedas
Assistant professors: Dr G. Karalius, Dr I. Giedraitytė, Dr I. Grumbinaitė
Lecturers: L. Kojala
Doctoral students: S. A. Spurga

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Area Studies
• Interdisciplinary studies

 

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY ANALYSIS CENTRE

10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 2514130
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Vitalis Nakrošis

STAFF
Professors: Dr V. Nakrošis, Dr R. Vilpišauskas
Associate professors: Dr V. Kuokštis, Dr Ž. Martinaitis, Dr Irma Budginaitė-Mačkinė
Assistant professors: Dr I. Petronytė-Urbonavičienė, Dr M. Kalanta
Teaching assistants/Junior research fellows: V. Pukinaitė
Lecturers: L. Jurkonis
Doctoral students: R. Bortkevičiūtė, A. Diržinskaitė-Kazlauskienė, V. Fuks

RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Public administration
• Public policy process
• Public policy analysis

THE (POST)SOVIET MEMORY STUDIES CENTER
10 Vokiečių, LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel. 2514130
E-mail:
www.memory.tspmi.vu.lt
Head – Prof. Dr Ainė Ramonaitė

STAFF
Professors: Dr A. Ramonaitė, Dr V. Davoliūtė
Associate professors: Dr I. Vinogradnaitė, Dr J. Dementavičius, Dr J. Ulinskaitė
Assistant professors: Dr L. Vervečkienė
Teaching assistants/Junior research fellows: Dr R. Garškaitė-Antonowicz
Doctoral students: V. Budreckaitė, J. Kavaliauskaitė


RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2023
Projects Supported by the University Budget
Shifting Forms of Ethnic Minority Belonging at a Time of War: Buryat Case Study. (Project No. MSF-JM-09/2023). Vilnius University. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Kristina Jonutytė (Faculty of Philosophy). Researchers: specialist Edvinas Ivanskis (Institute of International Relations and Political Science). 2023-2024.
The purpose of this project is to examine how Russia’s minorities relate to Russia and what this means for the region’s future. Objectives:
1. To conduct an ethnographic study of Russia’s Buryat minority, concentrating on the alternative visions of belonging.
2. To explore how the war is reshaping this identification.
3. To productively combine insights from ethnography with political science for a rounded interdisciplinary perspective on Russia’s ethnic minority position.

National Research Projects
Programme – Student research projects/Studentų tyrimai vasaros ir semestrų metu:
Why is it (Im)Possible to Understand Each Other? The Role of Boundary Spanners in Lithuanian Regional Youth Politics (Project No. S-SV-23-53). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr V. Nakrošis. Researcher: Aistė Rinkevičiūtė. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.


Split-Ticket Voting in the 2023 Lithuanian Municipal Elections (Project No. S-SV-23-54). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr M. Jastramskis. Researcher: Miglė Palujanskaitė. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.


Food Security: Situation Analysis in Lithuania (Project No. S-SV-23-71). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Dr I. Giedraitytė. Researcher: Emilė Stragytė. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.
Anti-Capitalism and Post-Identity Politics in Online Piracy Communities: Digital Ethnography (Project No. S-SV-23-72). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Dr G. Bielousova. Researcher: Isaac McGirr. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.


Far-Right Narratives in Lithuanian News Websites (Project No. S-SV-23-81). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Dr I. Petronytė-Urbonavičienė. Researcher: Brigita Katlioriūtė. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.


Incentives for Non-State Actors (Large Western Technology Companies) to Engage in Interstate Conflicts: the Case of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Project No. S-SV-23-50). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr Tomas Janeliūnas. Researcher: Rugilė Katinaitė. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.


Why is the welfare state’s reaction to young people different in Central and Eastern European countries? (Project No. S-SV-23-43). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr V. Kuokštis. Researcher: Austėja Šataitė. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.


US Policy and the War in Ukraine: Assessing the Impact of Disinformation (Project No. S-SV-23-134). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr L. Jonavičius. Researcher: Fiachra Mccann. 1 July 2023 – 31 August 2023.


Political Communication in the Context of War in Ukraine: Emotional Narratives in the Speeches of NATO and European Union Leaders (Project No. S-ST-23-78). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Dr N. Maliukevičius. Researcher: Elžbieta Kriaučiūnaitė. 1 October 2023 – 30 April 2024.


The Significance and Challenges of Perceptions of External Identity for Lithuanian Foreign Policy (Project No. S-ST-23-80). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr D. Jakniūnaitė. Researcher: Vygantė Mizgerytė. 1 October 2023 – 30 April 2024.


Differences in Electoral Outcomes Between ‘Home’ and Diaspora Voters: a Comparative Analysis of Diaspora Voting in Post-Communist European Countries (Project No. S-ST-23-77). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr L. Gudžinskas. Researcher: Marius Danilevičius. 1 October 2023 – 30 April 2024.

Programme – Postdoctoral projects/Podoktorantūros stažuotės:
How Do Deep-Seated Cultural Views Shape Immigration Attitudes in Europe? The Role of Nationhood Conceptions. (Project No. S-PD-22-89). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Ramonaitė. Researcher: Dr V. Bartasevičius. 2022-2024.
This project seeks to answer question: How do individual understandings of national identity shape people’s views towards immigration in Europe? The project implementation this year was focused on the literature review, preparation of theoretical background and methodology, preparation of the article manuscripts for the academic journals and participation in the ECPR conference.

Eastern European Leftist Feminisms and Their Political Visions: Alternative Narratives of Belonging in Pluralistic Societies. (Project No. S-PD-22-99). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr D. Jakniūnaitė. Researcher: Dr G. Bielousova. 2022-2024.
The aim of this project is to explore Eastern European left-wing feminisms in order to understand the potential and importance of indigenous feminist social and political visions in expanding the narratives of national belonging in times of geopolitical crises. The project implementation this year was focused on the literature review, preparation of theoretical background and methodology, planning and implementing fieldwork activities, preparation of the article manuscript for the academic journal.

Supervising the Artistic Autonomy: Arts and the Cultural Policy in Lithuania. (Project No. S-PD-22-94). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr N. Arlauskaitė. Researcher: E. Grėbliauskaitė. 2022-2024.
This project aims to rethink the institutionalization of the Lithuanian cultural politics, artistic autonomy and democratic ideas; to foreground the social context of the art field, including the reactions of institutions, press, the public, and the academic community; and to contribute to the mutual integration of art and science within the context of cultural policy. The project implementation this year was focused on the data collection, its analysis and development of artwork project to be presented in public.

Memories of War and Their Relevance for the Conflict: The Case of Chechnya. (Project No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-23-0160). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr V. Davoliūtė. Researcher: Dr M. Iliyasov. 2021-2023.
This project aimed to develop scientific competences of the research fellow through a study of Chechen memories of Chechnyan wars that took place in 1994-1996 and 1999-2009. The project implementation this year was focused on preparation of the article manuscript for the academic journal, publication of research dissemination texts in media outlets and finalisation of the project implementation activities.

Political factors of the middle-income trap in the Baltic States (TRAPPOLI). (Project No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0179). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr V. Kuokštis. Researcher: Dr M. Kalanta. 2020-2023.
This project aimed to reveal the link between political factors and the transition of the Baltic political economies from resource and low-cost driven economic growth to high-skill, innovation and productivity driven economic growth. The project implementation this year was focused on preparation of the article manuscripts for the academic journals and finalisation of the project implementation activities.
Main publication:
1. Kalanta, M. (2023). Middle-Income Trap and the Baltic States: Common Challenges, Different Strategies. Politologija, 110(2), 8-47. https://doi.org/10.15388/Polit.2023.110.1

Contemporary Analogue Photography by Women from the Perspective of Feminist Visual Studies: Texts, Practices and Identities. (Project No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0041). Project leader: Prof. Dr Natalija Arlauskaitė. Researcher: Dr J. Šalaj. 2020-2023.
This project aimed to analyse contemporary analogous photography by women from the Baltic countries and photography practices from the perspective of feminist visual studies. The project implementation this year was focused on preparation of the article manuscript for the academic journal, preparation of research study and finalisation of the project implementation activities.

Programme – Building societal resilience and crisis management in the context of contemporary geopolitical events / Visuomenės atsparumo stiprinimas ir krizių valdymas šiuolaikinių geopolitinių įvykių kontekste
Support for Democratic Institutions and the Polarisation of Society: An Analysis of Interactions. (Project No. S-VIS-23-19). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr Ainė Ramonaitė. Researchers: Assoc. Prof. M. Jastramskis, Dr I. Petronytė-Urbonavičienė, Dr L. Pukelis, Dr A. Vaiginytė. 2023-2026.
The aim of this project is to investigate the extent and causes of polarisation in Lithuanian society and its interaction with support for democratic institutions. The project implementation this year was focused on the first objective to identify the nature and trends of polarisation over time, i.e., to assess whether and, if so, to what extent the beliefs and attitudes that divide society overlap and reinforce each other.

Lithuanian Authorities’ Response to the Poly-Crisis During the Period 2021-2025 (LIVIA). (Project No. S-VIS-23-16). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Prof. Dr V. Nakrošis. Researchers: Prof. Dr R. Vilpišauskas, Dr M. Kalanta, Dr V.Bartasevičius, senior researcher J. Mickus. 2023-2026.
The purpose of this project is to prepare an analytical model for the assessment of poly-crises and, after applying it to the analysis of the crises that took place in Lithuania during the political term of the 18th Government, to assess how these crises constrained or facilitated the Government‘s response. The project implementation this year was focused on the literature review, development of poly-crises assessment model, and presentation of it at the EGPA international conference.

Programme – Research group projects / Mokslininkų grupių projektai
The Role of the Institution of Lithuanian Presidency in the Domestic Politics from 1993 to 2024. (Project No. S-MIP-22-21). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr M. Jastramskis. Researcher: Dr L. Pukelis. 2022-2024.
This project seeks to investigate the influence of Lithuanian presidents on Seimas, Lithuanian government, other important state institutions and society, altogether assessing and conceptualizing the role of the institution of presidency in the domestic politics. The project implementation this year was focused on the data collection and analysis, preparation of articles to be submitted to academic journals and participation in the ECPR conference.
Main publication:
1. Jastramskis, M., & Pukelis, L. (2023). Routine Presidential Activism by Going Public under Semi-Presidential and Parliamentary Regimes. Political Studies Review, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14789299231185453

Labor Market Institutions and the Political Economy of Exchange Rates. (Project No. S-MIP-22-20). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr V. Kuokštis. Researcher: Dr M. Assali. 2022-2025.
This project seeks to analyse the influence of labour market institutions on the political economy of exchange rates. It focuses on the following dependent variables: sustainability of fixed currency regimes, preferences of interest groups over exchange rate regimes, and the influence on economic growth. The project implementation this year was focused on the data collection and analysis, preparation of article to be submitted to academic journal and participation in SASE international conference.

Programme – Lithuania-Latvia-China (Taiwan) programme / Lietuvos–Latvijos–Kinijos (Taivano) programa
Factors and Actors Contributing to the Willingness to Defend One’s Own Country: The Case of Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan. (Project No. S-LLT-22-1). Research Council of Lithuania and The Ministry of Science and Technology (Taiwan). Project leader: Prof. Dr A. Ramonaitė. Researchers: Assoc. Prof. D. Šlekys, specialist A. Tylaitė. 2022-2024.
The project aims to uncover, analyse and compare factors and actors contributing to willingness to defend one’s own country in Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan, and thereby to extend the current universal toolkits and hypotheses in assessing the willingness. The project implementation this year was focused on data collection and analysis, preparation of case studies, preparation of article to be submitted to academic journal and presentation of research results to the public.

Programme – Lithuania-Poland projects / Lietuvos–Lenkijos projektai
Mobility, Migration and the COVID-19 Epidemic: Governing Emergencies in Lithuania and Poland. (Project No. S-LL-21-11). Research Council of Lithuania, Polish National Science Center. Project leader: Prof. Dr D. Jakniūnaitė. Researchers: Prof. Dr N. Arlauskaitė, PhD candidates R. Bortkevičiūtė and N. Mataitytė. 2021-2024.
This project examines forms of governance over mobility (including international migration) in Lithuania and Poland during COVID-19. It explains what forms of governance towards mobility and migration have appeared as a result of these states’ reaction to COVID-19 and what were the main similarities and differences in both states’ emergency management and their socio-political roots? The project implementation this year was focused on data collection and analysis, preparation of article to be submitted to Journal of Baltic Studies and participation in the ECPR conference.

Programme – National Programme for Lithuanian Studies and dissemination 2016-2024 / Valstybinė lituanistinių tyrimų ir sklaidos 2016–2024 metų programa
Publishing of periodic academic journal “Politologija”. (Project No. S-LIP-22-6). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr V. Kuokštis. Project team: Assoc. Prof. J. Dementavičius, PhD student N. Mataitytė. 2022-2024.
Project is focused to maintain consistent and regular publication of “Politologija” - a peer-reviewed political science journal with the longest publishing record in Lithuania. It is the main academic periodical in Lithuania encompassing all subjects of political science and international relations as well as interdisciplinary topics.

Politics of Death in Soviet Lithuania: Meaning, Rituals, Symbols, Emotions. (Project No. S-LIP-20-3). Research Council of Lithuania. Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr Nerija Putinaitė. 2020-2023.
This project explores the extent and the ways in which death was politically controlled and connected to the Soviet goals, as well as the extent and the ways in which death, its meanings and the attitudes towards it remained within the space of personal freedom. The project implementation this year was focused on preparation of monograph, academic article, and finalisation of the project implementation activities.
Main publication:
1. Putinaitė, N. (2023). Suffering, Death, and Homeland in the Memoirs of Lithuanian Deportees. In. Saramo, S., U. Savolainen (eds.) The Legacies of Soviet Repression and Displacement. London: Routledge, 131-148.

International Research Projects
Facing the Past. Public History for a Stronger Europe (EUROPAST). (Grant Agreement No. 101079466). Project leader: Prof. Dr V. Davoliūtė. Researchers: Prof. A. Ramonaitė, Prof. M. Drėmaitė, Prof. R. Laužikas, Assoc. Prof. L. Žilinskienė, Dr V. Rimaitė-Beržiūnienė, Dr L. Vervečkienė, and PhD students: V. Budreckaitė, G. Norkūnaitė. 2022-2025.
The project aims to enhance the scientific excellence and research capacity of Vilnius University (VU) and strengthen the profile of its staff in the field of public history. Over the period of three years the following activities will be conducted by the project partners (VU, Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History in Potsdam, Germany (ZZF), the Centre for European Studies at Lund University in Sweden (LU), the Centre for Contemporary and Digital History in Luxembourg (uni.lu)): exploratory research on best practices of public history and models for the future; a coordinated training programme, research colloquia with special attention paid to early career researchers; a series of research and institutional exchanges among project partners; outreach workshops with public history practitioners and decision makers and a network of research managers will be established.
Main publication:
1. Davoliūtė, V. & Rudling, O. (2023) The rustic turn during late socialism and the popular movement against Soviet rule. Canadian Slavonic Papers, 65(1): 30-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/00085006.2023.2172302

Multilevel Orders of Corruption in Central Asia (MOCCA). (Grant Agreement No. 101085855). Project leader: Assoc. Prof. K. Andrijauskas. 2023-2026.
MOCCA is a research and staff exchange programme intended to contribute to the global and national efforts of understanding and counteracting corruption by conducting research on the multilevel orders of corruption in five countries in post-Soviet Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). This will enable the MOCCA team to: 1) gather original empirical data (based on research solidly grounded in fieldwork) on the interplay between international law norms, national laws, and local legal cultures and informal norms in Central Asia and their implications for understanding corruption and its societal effects; 2) engage with and situate our research in relevant theoretical debates and thereby advance scholarly debates on (anti-) corruption by developing new conceptual, methodological and comparative approaches to study and understand it; and 3) provide strategic intelligence for EU-based political and economic actors interested or already working in the region, and to inform international organisations and decision-makers in the EU and Central Asia on ways to combat corruption and improve the business and investment climate, the rule of law and governance in the region.

Measuring and comparing achievements of learning outcomes in higher education in Europe – extension (CALOHEx) (Grant Agreement No. 612874). Project leader and researcher: Assoc. Prof. L. Strupinskienė. 2021-2023.
The project aimed to prepare comprehensive European Qualifications Reference Frameworks and related Assessment Reference Frameworks covering the popular subject areas including International Relations. The project implementation this year was focused on finalisation of the project and planned frameworks.

Jean Monnet Chair project “Teaching, researching and debating contemporary European issues” (TRENDS) (Grant Agreement No. 621132). Project leader and researcher: Prof. Dr R. Vilpišauskas. 2020-2023.
The project was guided by three main goals: 1) to motivate bachelor students to pursue master level studies of the EU and choose professional carrier in Lithuanian and EU public institutions working on those issues, 2) to widen access to the EU studies to other departments of Vilnius University, 3) to stimulate the public debate on European issues, counter misleading narratives about the EU as well as provide knowledge to non-academic audiences about the EU institutions, policies and current issues. The project implementation this year was focused on teaching, dissemination activities and events, preparation of monograph, and finalisation of the project.

Contractual Research
Contractor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Task: Preparation and presentation of analytical studies regarding the assessment of Lithuania’s achievements during the 20th anniversary of membership in the European Union, provision of proposals for further membership priorities. Value: 15 000 Eur

Contractor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Task: Preparation and presentation of the concept of the educational program for discussions on the future of the EU. Value: 9 000 Eur

Contractor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Task: Preparation of the development cooperation course and its inclusion in the study program of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University. Value: 1 500 Eur

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS
Lund University (Sweden)
Marmara University (Turkey)
University of Helsinki (Finland)
Aarhus University (Denmark)
Charles University (Czech Republic)
Istanbul Medipol University (Turkey)
Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History (Germany)
Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH, Luxembourg)
Rīga Stradiņš University (Latvia)
Institute of Political Science at Academia Sinica (Taiwan)
Institute of Political Science, National Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan)
University of St. Thomas (USA)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
1. Prof. Dr Margarita Šešelgytė - editorial board member of The Journal on Baltic Security (Baltic Defence College), https://journalonbalticsecurity.com/journal/JOBS/information/editorial-board
2. Prof. Dr Ramūnas Vilpišauskas - advisory board member of The Journal of Baltic Studies (Taylor & Francis Online), https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=editorialBoard&journalCode=rbal20
3. Assoc. Prof. Dr Justinas Dementavičius - editor-in-chief of the journal Politologija (Vilniaus universiteto leidykla), https://www.journals.vu.lt/politologija/about/editorialTeam
4. Prof. Dr Alvydas Jokubaitis - member of editorial board of the journal Teoria Polityki (Theory of Politics), (Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego/Jagiellonian University Press), https://www.ejournals.eu/TP/menu/734/
5. Prof. Dr Vitalis Nakrošis - member of advisory board of the journal Halduskultuur – The Estonian Journal of Administrative Culture and Digital Governance (Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance at Tallinn University of Technology), http://halduskultuur.eu/journal/index.php/HKAC/about/editorialTeam
6. Prof. Dr Gediminas Vitkus - member of international advisory board of the journal International Relations and Development, (Palgrave, Central and East European International Studies Association (CEEISA), https://www.palgrave.com/gp/journal/41268/about/editorial-board
7. Assist. Prof. Dr Nerijus Maliukevičius - Member of the editorial board of the journal Defence Strategic Communications, (NATO StratCom COE), https://stratcomcoe.org/projects/academic-journal
8. Prof. Dr Alvydas Jokubaitis - full member of The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, https://www.lma.lt/members-of-the-academy

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD
1. Assoc. Prof. Dr Vytautas Kuoštis, “Economic Interdependence and war: Russia’s war against Ukraine” and “Exchange rate regimes, labor market flexibility, and economic performance”, SASE Annual Meeting “Socio-Economics in a Transitioning World: Breaking Lines and Alternative Paradigms for a New World Order”, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 20-22 July 2023. https://sase.org/event/2023-rio-de-janeiro/
2. Assoc. Prof. Dr Liutauras Gudžinskas, “What measures do mainstream political parties employ to quell the populists' rise? Evidence from Lithuania,” International Political Science Association World Congress “Politics in the Age of Transnational Crises: Vulnerability and Resilience”, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 15-19 July 2023. https://wc2023.ipsa.org/wc/home
3. Assoc. Prof. Dr Konstantinas Andrijauskas, “Surrounded by Dictatorships: Lithuania’s Securitization of and Political Performance on Its International Borders”, ASN Annual World Convention 2023, New York, USA, 18-20, May 2023. https://www.asnconvention.com/
4. Assist. Prof. Dr Ieva Petronytė-Urbonavičienė, “From Apathy to Political Engagement? Youth Political Activism in Lithuania” 119th American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, USA, 31 August – 3 September, 2023. https://connect.apsanet.org/apsa2023/
5. Prof. Dr Ainė Ramonaitė, “Willingness to defend one’s country against an autocracy: support for defense versus personal commitment to fight”, 16th EISA Pan-European Conference on International Relations, Potsdam, Germany, 5-9 September, 2023. http://pec2023.eisa-net.org/

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES
1. Prof. Dr Ainė Ramonaitė received the award for the best publication of Vilnius University in 2022 in the category of humanities and social sciences (for the paper: Ainė Ramonaitė, “Does communist nostalgia lead to COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs?” (2023). European Societies 25(3), 489-508).
2. Assist. Prof. Dr Ieva Petronytė-Urbonavičienė received the Medal of the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas for the application of academic knowledge and research in the non-governmental sector, in order to achieve a strong, active and responsible Lithuanian civil society and to create favourable conditions for its functioning.
3. Team of the “Lithuanian National Election Study 2020” (Prof. Dr Ainė Ramonaitė, Assoc. Prof. Dr Mažvydas Jastramskis, Assoc. Prof. Dr Jogilė Ulinskaitė, Jūratė Kavaliauskaitė, Dr Adelė Vaiginytė, Dr Lukas Pukelis, Prof. Dr Vaidas Morkevičius) received the Professor Juozas Leonavičius Award by the Lithuanian Sociological Association for their contribution to the development of Lithuanian research databases (dataset “Lithuanian National Election Study”).
4. Prof. Dr Ramūnas Vilpišauskas received the annual award of the Vilnius University Rector.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS ENTITIES
1. Prof. Dr Ramūnas Vilpišauskas. Member of the Council for State Progress of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.366511/HMdgmvSqmD?jfwid=-14tfd0p2v
2. Dr Romas Švedas. Board Member of Lithuanian Railways (AB Lietuvos geležinkeliai), https://ltg.lt/en/about-us/corporate-governance/bodies-of-the-company/
3. Assoc. Prof. Dr Inga Vinogradnaitė. Member of the Committee on Humanities and Social Sciences of the Research Council of Lithuania, https://www.lmt.lt/en/about-the-research-council/committee-of-humanities-and-socialsciences/doc.-Dr-inga-vinogradnaite/3840
4. Assoc. Prof. Dr Nerija Putinaitė. Member of the Committee on Science and Studies Policy of the Research Council of Lithuania, https://www.lmt.lt/apie-taryba/mokslo-ir-studiju-politikos-ekspertu-komitetas/nerija-putinaite/4257
5. Assist. Prof. Dr Ieva Petronytė-Urbonavičienė. Member of the Board of Foundation of Non-Governmental Organizations of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, https://socmin.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/nevyriausybiniu-organizaciju-politika/nvo-fondas

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES
1. Dr Rosita Garškaitė-Antonowicz provided an expert consultation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania based on her research “Lithuanian attitudes towards EU membership: between support and scepticism”, https://www.facebook.com/LietuvaES/posts/pfbid0kJdxoVfaPi58yZhmZqgApZhyECt3YVKHpXEHKfQtGQc5qW6TmS6jzGG763Egha46l Participation in the public presentation of the project results, 3 June, 2023.
2. Assoc. Prof. Dr Mažvydas Jastramskis provided consultations to Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) and conducted study “Democracy Sustainability Barometer 2023”, https://www.eesc.lt/publikacija/demokratijos-tvarumo-barometras-2023/?fbclid=IwAR1XOsL8WXvpdwFIhYNVsjBIkaHZrKauTlx8S2XriUMPTgrPn7zcMOkuyyQ Participation in the public presentation of the project results, December 8, 2023.
3. Dr Mariusz Antonowicz, Dr Nerijus Udrėnas, Prof. Ramūnas Vilpišauskas provided numerous consultations on the development of the State Progress Strategy “Lithuania 2050”. https://lrv.lt/lt/lietuva-2050/valstybes-pazangos-taryba-2
4. Prof. Dr V. Nakrošis provided numerous expert consultations as a member of the Working Group-Advisory Board on Better Regulation at the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, https://eimin.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/verslo-aplinka/geresnio-reguliavimo-patariamoji-taryba
5. Assist. Prof. Dr Ieva Petronytė-Urbonavičienė and PhD candidate Rasa Bortkevičiūtė participated in workshops for Open Government Plan preparation at the Government of Lithuania. https://epilietis.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/pradedamas-rengti-2023-2025-m-atviros-vyriausybes-planas

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
1. Expert commentary for the Hungarian national publication. “Nepszava” (1 article. Expert interviewed – Prof. Margarita Šešelgytė. https://nepszava.hu/3201920_vilnius-gyumolcsei. 2023/07/14).
2. Expert commentary for the international publication. “Al Jazeera” (1 article. Expert interviewed – Prof. Tomas Janeliūnas. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/7/21/lithuanian-border-towns-grapple-with-threat-of-russia-ukraine-war. 2023/07/21).
3. Expert podcast for the Dutch broadcaster. “BNR Perestrojkast” (1 episode. Expert interviewed – Prof. Dovilė Jakniūnaitė. https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/bnr-perestrojkast-bnr/id1451946532?i=1000623358336. 2023/08/04).
4. Expert commentary for the international publication. “Financial Times” (1 article. Expert interviewed – Dr Neringa Bladaitė. https://www.ft.com/content/d8c14f56-6f4d-430e-9d68-269202c21d84. 2023/11/02).
5. Radio show on political philosophy and history of ideas. “Homo cultus. Between Past and Future” (Biweekly radio show on LRT Klasika, 20+ episodes in 2023. Author and host of the show – Dr Simas Čelutka. https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/audio/homo-cultus-tarp-praeities-ir-ateities).