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Research
My current research activities concentrate on six main areas:
1. Welfare State Transformations in Central and Eastern Europe
(CEE);
2. Economic and Social Transformations in the Russian Federation and in the Commonwealth of Indipendent States (CSI);
3. Migration and Social Protection in the Enlarged European Union
(EU);
4. Democratization and Consolidation of Democratic Institutions;
5. Social Mechanisms and Sociology of European Integration; and
6. Human and Socio-Economic Security.
1. Welfare State Transformations in Central and Eastern Europe
Welfare state transformations in CEE is the first and oldest strand
of my research activities. It started with my PhD at the University
of Erfurt (Germany) and continues up to present date. The countries
involved in my investigations include all ten new European Member
States (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), while the social policy
areas covered involve five crucial sectors of social protection
(pension, health care, protection against unemployment, family policies
and social assistance). A special attention of my investigations
is given to welfare state restructuring, emergence of new social
risks and poverty reduction strategies. A particular emphasis of
my studies is also given to democratizazion theories and consolidation
of democratic institutions.
2. Economic and Social Transformations in the Russian Federation and in the Commonwealth of Indipendent States (CSI)
Economic and social transformations in the Russian Federation and in the Commonwealth of Indipendent States (CSI) is
the second strand of my research activities. My research focus in
this region primarily involves the most recent economic and social
developments, welfare state transformations, oil-led economic growth
and democratization.
3. Migration and Social Protection in the Enlarged European
Union
My research activities are also focused on the very crucial issue
of migration and social protection in the enlarged European Union.
A particular attention here is given to the issue of mobility after
enlargement and the strains it puts (or not) on the welfare states
of member states.
4. Democratization and Consolidation of Democratic Institutions
Recognizing the profound significance of social and economic policies
for the transition towards democracy, a significant part of my research activities
is also devoted to democratization and consolidation of democratic institutions. Here, my primary attention is given to Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Commonwealth of Indipendent States (CSI) and Sub-Saharan Africa.
5. Social Mechanisms and Sociology of European Integration
My research activities also focus on social mechanisms and sociology
of European Integration. Here, I apply and expand my early work
on mechanisms of institutional change to the establishment of the
European Union.
6. Human and Socio-Economic Security
Human and socio-economic security represents the final strand of
my research activities. In this area, my investigations aim at analyzing
various challenges to the human security of the most vulnerable
groups in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Commonwealth of Indipendent States (CSI) and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Downloads: see full list of
publications (see also past and present reseach
projects).
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