My current book manuscript, Russia versus European Liberalism, argues that the Council of Europe’s status as a premier international organization dedicated to democracy and human rights made it a battleground in the Kremlin’s assault on European liberalism. In 2014, the liberal principles underpinning the organization collided with Russia’s imperial impulses and its realist approach to international politics. Although the Council of Europe initially held true to its values and sanctioned Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, the organization appeared to trade its principles for financial security in 2019 when it lifted that sanction. Russia versus European Liberalism examines these decisions. The work demonstrates Russia’s ability to capitalize on its position within the Council of Europe while also revealing the roles that Russia-sympathizers played in subverting the organization’s core values. These developments set the stage for Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine giving the Kremlin reason to believe that any unity in a European response would prove frail and fleeting.

I am grateful to the following Junior Research Fellows who have assisted me with the manuscript:

• Abby Snodgrass (Fall 2024)
• Hannah Harris (Spring 2024)
• Jillian Malinsky (Fall 2022)
• Gabriel Castro (Spring 2021)
• Kasey Joyce (Fall 2016)

Students interested in research opportunities should speak with me during office hours. As a rule, participants will have completed, and performed well in one of my courses.

Undergraduate students wishing to receive academic credit may apply to the Junior Research Fellows Program, which is administered through the University of Florida’s Department of Political Science. An overview of the Junior Research Fellows Program, including contact information and deadlines, is available here. Please note that the workload for Junior Research Fellows will be more than what is expected from participants who are assisting on a voluntary basis.