6th Graduate Workshop | Post-Cold War Transformations: Navigating Conflict and Cooperation in Eastern and Southeast Europe

Abstract

Eastern and Southeast Europe remain regions shaped by historical transformations, diverse identities, and socio-political complexities. Since the end of the Cold War to modern-day nation- building and cross-border cooperation, these regions offer fertile ground for exploring themes of conflict, cooperation, and transformation through interdisciplinary lenses.

Moreover, understanding these dynamics could also require consideration of the transatlantic and global dimensions that influence and shape regional developments. International organizations and institutions, such as NATO, the EU, and various NGOs, play pivotal roles in security, conflict resolution, and peacekeeping efforts. Likewise, economic organizations contribute to economic transformation and cooperation, and environmental issues intersect with global agreements and institutional frameworks. Integrating broader transnational and international perspectives into the discussion will help contextualize regional developments within a global framework.

This two-day workshop invites doctoral and other early career researchers to critically engage with the intersections of conflict and cooperation in the Eastern and Southeast European context. Participants are encouraged to examine the historical, political, economic, cultural, and social dynamics that drive both divisions and cooperation within and across these regions.The workshop aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among emerging scholars and highlight innovative methodologies and perspectives. Our focus extends from macro-level analyses to microhistories and individual experiences, encouraging a nuanced understanding of regional dynamics. A key focus of the workshop is fostering self-reflection and open discussion about participants' work. We prioritize creating a space where individuals can share challenges they are facing and explore strategies that have helped them overcome them.

Organizing team: Katarina Damčević, Nikola Gajić, and Cindy Wittke from the IOS Regensburg

Programme

Thursday – 3 July 2025

10:30–11:00 | Welcome & Introduction
11:00–12:45 | Session I: Memory, Identity, and Representation

• Martina Ricci: Echoes of the Past War: Memory, Culture, and the Politics of Commemoration in Bosnian and Croatian Museums
• Matt Whiffen: Proud Europeans?: LGBTQ+ Visibility, Catholic Resistance, and Contested National Identity in Post-Accession Croatia
• Nikola Gajić: Mapping of ICTY Records: Afterlife of the Victim-Witness

12:45–13:30 | Lunch Break
13:30–15:15 | Session II: Statehood and Sovereignty

• Friederike Augustin: The Legal Systems of Post-Soviet De Facto States – A Comparative Perspective
• Ferenc Németh: Clashes of Nations: Albanian Interests and Engagement in North Macedonia’s Bilateral Disputes
• Géza Tasner: Interpatronal Rivalry in Secessionist Conflicts

15:15–15:30 | Coffee Break
15:30–17:00 | Keynote

• Tamara Pavasović Trošt (University of Ljubljana): Genetic Nationalism and DNA Ancestry Testing in the Balkans

18:30 | Informal Dinner (self-paid, location TBD)

Friday – 4 July 2025

09:00–10:00 | Methods Lecture

• Ivaylo Dinev (ZOiS): Tracing Conflicts and Protest Dynamics in Eastern Europe

10:00–10:15 | Coffee Break
10:15–12:00 | Session III: Transnational Activism and Environment

• Yaroslava Marusyk: RePowerEU Meets ReArm Europe Plan: Ukraine’s Integration into the EU’s Energy Security and Defense Architecture
• Ivana Stepanović: Regional Solidarity Against Corruption: A Digital Ethnography of Social Media Narratives in the 2024/25 Serbian Protests
• Nafisa Mirzojamshedzoda: Environmental Change in the Fergana Valley

12:00–13:00 | Lunch Break
13:00–14:00 | KonKoop Research Map Presentation
14:00–14:15 | Closing Remarks