dr Oleksandra Iwaniuk

Who am I?

I am a social scientist, journalist, and writer. I have contributed articles to various publications, including the Polish weekly newsmagazine PolitykaGazeta WyborczaNew Eastern Europe, and the Kennan Institute’s Focus Ukraine. My novel “Amor[t]e” has been long-listed for the BBC Book of the Year and UNESCO’s City of Literature awards. As the founder of the Literary Club at the Ukrainian House in Warsaw, I aim to create a platform for meaningful dialogue between Poles and Ukrainians.

What are my academic interests?

My expertise primarily lies in the field of political elites in Ukraine, which I extensively explored in my published PhD thesis. I have also expanded my research interests to include the literary field in Ukraine as my secondary area of focus. In terms of research methodology, I am proficient in qualitative methods and frequently apply Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Practices, Habitus, and the Field in my studies. My regional focus centers on Eastern Europe, with a particular emphasis on post-socialist countries such as Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, I devote attention to examining Polish-Ukrainian relations and analyzing memory policies.

What do I teach?

In the upcoming academic year 2023/2024, I will teach An Introduction to Central and Eastern Europe; Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy; and Politics and Culture: Interdependencies and Multiple Connections.

Why ISSC?

With its interdisciplinary approach, the ISSC appears to be an ideal environment for individuals with diverse interests and skills, who are open-minded and possess critical thinking abilities. I firmly believe that harnessing the power of synergy and interdisciplinarity is the most effective approach to tackling the significant challenges that humanity is presently confronting.