The Black Sea Area Studies Program

The Black Sea Area Studies Program is the result of an initiative institutionalized by the Social Sciences Division of the Institute for Advanced Research of the University of Bucharest (ICUB). A central goal of our program is to create a research and public outreach platform dedicated to interdisciplinary research and policy-relevant analysis of Black Sea area developments, by combining a strategic perspective with an analytical focus on the economic, political, cultural, demographic, military, environmental, and social developments in the region.

The main objective is to create a regionally unique, knowledge-based resource which builds on the solid interdisciplinary capabilities offered by the University of Bucharest with its scientists and specialists in geography, history, natural sciences, information sciences, foreign languages, economics, administrative and policy sciences, sociology, environmental sciences, military and strategic studies etc.
By building on the vast competence pool offered by the University of Bucharest, the Center aims to grow its ecosystem of experts, resources, stakeholders and capabilities from civil society, business sector, other relevant governmental organizations, universities or research centers, both regional and global.

The program portfolio includes but is not limited to research, workshops, conferences, informal colloquia, public outreach and networking, summer schools, training for international partner organizations and the private sector, consultation forums, and publications.

The Black Sea Area Studies Program is built on five conceptual pillars:

1. Governance and Society

2. Security and Strategy

3. Economy and Energy
4. Environment and Natural Resources
5. Culture and Civilizations

Currently the Program is coordinated by an initiative committee consisting of

Prof. Paul Dragos Aligica, coordinator of the research portfolio of the Program, is a Professor Administrative Sciences in the Departmentof Public Administration and Businessat the University of Bucharest and a Senior Research Fellow at Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

Dr. Olga R. Chiriac, coordinator of the civil-militray portofolio, is a Visiting Professor at the Social Sciences Department of the University of Bucharest and the Project Europe Head of Engagement at the Irregular Warfare Initiative of the Modern War Institute at West Point, NY.

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