Institute of Political Studies
Institute of Political Studies “Political Sphere” (IPS)
Concept note
I. Context
The Belarusian community of political scientists is faced with a certain academic situation which is manifested by the two major systemic problems: absence of empirical research and isolation from regional and international academic communities.
The first problem is a result of the rules, established in Belarus, that do not require conducting research to acquire high academic and expert status. For academic or a professorial position it is sufficient to implement routine work of teaching political sciences, for analytical expert field – to subject oneself to arbitrary speculations.
Isolation from regional and international academic communities is not caused by absence of personal contacts or lack of academic tourism (i.e., most seminars, conferences, and study visits); it is caused by low representation at the regional and international level of the outcomes of the academic activities of Belarusian researchers. In other words, absent is what underpins the academe in its true meaning: research and publications.
Inclination to overcome these problems is the main reason for establishing the Institute.
II. Background 2001-2009
The Institute’s foundation is rooted in the community nurtured by the political research journal “Political Sphere” (www.palityka.org). The journal was founded in 2001 by graduate and undergraduate students of the Political Science Department at the Belarusian State University. Since 2006, the academic basis for the community activities has been the European Humanities University in Vilnius, Lithuania.
From 2001 to 2009, the journal underwent a significant evolution: the community grew in numbers, became more professional and qualified in the realm of political sciences. The journal remains the only specialized Political Science periodical in Belarus; it is referenced and included into international professional databases.
Publishing the journal was substantiated by the research and analytical activities of the Editorial Board and regular authors. Since 2006, Political Sphere (The Board and the community) has realized a number of research and publishing projects. By the beginning of 2009, the activities of the community (in research, publishing and other spheres) had reached an adequate level to establish a dynamic and professional research Institute.
III. Goals of the Institute:
· To carry out systemic studies of politics at the national, regional and international levels. To raise the professional level of political research and instruction of political disciplines in Belarus (and Lithuania in the context of EHU).
· To form professional community of political researchers in Belarus, to contribute to creation of the essential infrastructure for the professional activities.
· To integrate Belarusian researchers into regional, European and international academic context, to create conditions for joint research activities, and to present outcomes of research activities by means of academic publications.
IV. Principles (general)
The basis for academic and analytical activities of the Institute is research, i.e., acquiring new knowledge. Ad hoc speculation and translation of readymade (secondary) knowledge can only have an additional value.
Research activity is meant to be presented at the academic, political and social levels. This is made possible through publications, producing thereof is a priority.
The purpose of the Institute is to conduct political research, which can be achieved with methodology and research tools offered by various social sciences. However, Political Science will be at the core of our research activities.
The Institute is a Belarusian research institution, thus we feel obliged to contribute to the development of Belarusian science and culture, including via promotion of the Belarusian language use in the academic sphere and education.
The Institute is open for cooperation with all individual researchers and institutions regardless of their political standpoints and ideological orientations. The Institute is also aimed at international cooperation and regards itself as part of the international community of political researchers.
V. The Principle of Institute Structure Formation
The Institute structure and research departments are formed through actual academic activities (present research, publications and other projects) of the Institute’s community. Further evolution will be determined by a number of factors: demand for research results and publishing activities, change of professional priorities, etc.
At this point, every established research department has a sufficient staff and project potential for initiation of effective work.
Structure:
Director: Andrei Kazakevich
Director’s Assistant: Andrei Asadchy
The Board of the Institute:
- Andrei Asadchy
- Siargei Bohdan, M.A.
- Andrei Valodzkin, Ph.D
- Andrei Kazakevich, Ph.D
- Alexei Krivolap, M.A.
- Aliaksei Lastouski, Ph.D
- Dzianis Melyantsou, M.A.
- Andrei Khrapavitski, M.A.
- Andrei Yahorau, M.A.
Sectors (chairs):
Belarusian and Eastern European Politics: Andrei Kazakevich, Andrei Yahorau, Andrei Asadchy
European Studies: Dzianis Melyantsou, Andrei Valodzkin
Information Politics and Internet Studies: Andrei Khrapavitski, Alexei Krivolap
History of Political Ideas: Uladzislau Ivanou, Andrei Kazakevich
Arabic and Iranian Studies: Siargei Bohdan
The Politics of Memory: Aliaksei Lastouski, Siargei Yamelyanau