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Orkhan Gafarov

Orkhan Gafarov

Orkhan Gafarov

M.A.

Research Associate

SHSS-HSG
Büro 52-7140
Müller-Friedberg-Str. 8
9000 St. Gallen
Main Focuses

International Relations

European Studies

Peace and Conflict Studies

Further fields of research

European External Relations

European Neighbourhood Policy (Eastern Partnership)

Energy and Infrastructure Projects

South Caucasus and Central Asia

Black Sea–Caspian Sea Region

Organization of Turkic States

Education
  • University of St. Gallen
    Ph.D. Programme in Organization Studies and Cultural Theory (DOK) (September 2025 – Present)

  • University of Graz
    Mobility Semester (October 2024 – February 2025)
  • University of Leipzig
    Arqus Joint Master’s Programme (Universities of Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Vilnius),
    M.A. European Studies (2023–2025)

  • Lomonosov Moscow State University
    M.A. International Relations (2019–2021)
    B.A. International Relations (2015–2019)

Professional Career
  • University of St. Gallen
    Ph.D. Student / Research Associate, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of East European Studies (September 2025 – Present)

  • The Center for Governance and Culture in Europe (GCE-HSG)
    Research Associate (September 2025 – Present)
  • German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)
    Intern, WONAGO Project (World Order Narratives Across the Global South) (July – August 2025)

  • Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Center for Scientific and Analytical Information

    • Research Fellow (March 2021 – August 2023)

    • Research Assistant (March 2020 – March 2021)

  • Russian Export Center
    Intern, Department of Middle East and North Africa (October – December 2019)

  • Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
    Intern, Department of Europe, North America and International Organizations (June – July 2017)

Projects

 

Since 2025: The Role of Political Subjectivity in a Contested Neighbourhood of EU-Russia: A South Caucasus Perspective

The research project explores how small states in the region can maintain independence under the pressure of global powers. The focus is on Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, which have different historical trajectories, resources, and foreign policy strategies. The study analyzes how internal factors (institutions, resources, elites) interact with external influences (EU, Russia, regional alliances). Special attention is given to the role of energy and infrastructure projects as well as international organizations. The aim is to identify the conditions under which small states can avoid becoming arenas of geopolitical rivalry and act as independent players in the international system.

 

 

 

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