The University of Georgia – Security, Policy & Nationalism Research Centre (UGSPN), based in Tbilisi, Georgia, is dedicated to advancing comprehensive research and policy analysis in national security, defence, and nationalism studies. Established with the vision of becoming a leading institution, UGSPN integrates expertise from various disciplines to address complex security challenges. The centre organizes annual conferences, public lectures and simulations to foster dialogue among scholars, policymakers, and civil society. UGSPN also publishes research reports and policy papers on topics such as resilience indices, electoral analyses, and regional security dynamics. Through these initiatives, UGSPN aims to influence policy and contribute to the academic discourse on security, defence and nationalism.
Contact information
University of Georgia – Security, Policy & Nationalism Research Center (UGSPN)
Tbilisi, 0171, Georgia
Point of contact
Mr. Konstantine Ioseliani
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +995599504014
The team
| Contacts | Resume | Speciality |
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| Dr. Shalva Dzebisashvili Head of PS&IR Programs Tel.+995599093903 [email protected] |
Dr. Shalva Dzebisashvili is associate professor, director of the Political Science and International Relations Program at the University of Georgia (UG) since 2019 and acting head of the advisory board of the UGSPN, a UG based research center for security, policy and nationalism. Between 2003 and 2019 Dr. Shalva Dzebisashvili occupied senior positions in the ministry of defence of Georgia and the Georgian Mission to NATO. After receiving his doctoral (PhD) degree in 2016 he assumed the capacity of a program manager for developing courses such as Strategic Policy and Planning, and Public Policy and Reporting at the Defense Institution Building School (DIBS) till 2019. From 2020-to 2024 he completed his Postdoc research project on the role of security institutions in democratic transformation in Georgia and Armenia supported by VW-foundation. Dr. Shalva Dzebisashvili is a frequent guest in local and international TV-media outlets, is a welcomed contributor to various regional conferences/workshops and is a prolific writer and author of multiple academic and policy related publications.
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| Mr. Konstantine Ioseliani Research Fellow Tel.: +995599504014 [email protected] |
A lecturer at the University of Georgia’s School of Social Sciences, where he teaches diplomatic theory, globalization, and democratic citizenship. A PhD candidate at the same university, researching state social resilience in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. A Master’s in International and European Security from the Geneva Center for Security Policy/Université de Genève, and MA degree in Public Administration from the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. His training includes courses at the NATO Defense College, US Joint Force Command, and other international institutions. Served in Georgia’s diplomatic corps, including as Chargé d’Affaires to Finland and Senior Political Counselor in Sweden. Also held various positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Head of the Central and Western Europe Division. |
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| Mr. Vazha Sopromadze Research Fellow Tel: +995574161893 [email protected] |
In 2016 Vazha was awarded a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia. In 2020, he received a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Georgia, specializing in Russian foreign policy research. From 2022, Vazha has been working on a doctoral research project in political science, focusing on the process of transformation of Georgian political elites. Along with his academic activities, Vazha has extensive experience working in the public service in the areas of Euro-Atlantic integration and foreign policy analysis. |
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| Mr. Gaioz Japaridze [email protected] [email protected] Mob: +995 599105451 |
Gia (Gaioz) Japaridze is a professor of political sciences, international relations and Georgian politics at the School of Social Sciences of the University of Georgia, he also teached at other private higher education institutions of Georgia (GIPA, Caucasus University). Gia Japaridze is a former diplomat. During his work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, at various times he was the head of the diplomatic mission of Georgia in the Republic of Cyprus (2012-2013) and the Republic of Portugal (2010-2011), and also worked in the consular section of the Georgian Embassy to the Hellenic Republic and in the Georgian Embassies in Athens and Lisbon as a Counselor. He graduated from Tbilisi State University with a specialization in classical philology and the School of Political, Social and Economic Sciences of the Athens State University with a specialization in political sciences and Public Administration (department of International and European studies). Gia Japaridze publishes articles on issues of Georgian politics, international politics, and Balkan and Mediterranean region. His areas of expertise include the Balkans and the wider Mediterranean region, Greece, Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations, Lusophone countries, the European Union, and US foreign policy, Intra-Party Democracy, Civic Memory. |
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