Department of Political science

The Department of Political Science is the largest department of the faculty, educating political scientists-analysts with a wide-ranging orientation who are able to adapt their knowledge in the academic and practical spheres.

The major research areas of the Department of Political Science are: national minorities, the impact of ethno-political conflicts on international relations, national and international security and human rights protection, European studies.

Bachelor degree programmes

Master degree programmes

Mindaugas Jurkynas

Head of the department, Professor, Jean Monnet Chair

CV

Fields of academic interests

Cooperation and conflict in the Baltic sea region, Nordic studies, Regional identity in Northern Europe, EU institutions and integration.

El. paštas: mindaugas.jurkynas@vdu.lt

RUGILĖ ŠPAKAUSKAITĖ

Study coordinator

E-mail: rugile.spakauskaite@vdu.lt

Andžej Pukšto

Assoc. professor

Fields of academic interests

Political tradition and political systems of Central and East Europe countries; post-socialist transformations; ethnic relations, rights of ethnic and national minorities; national and foreign policy of Russian Fedaration; common  foreign and security policy of the European Union

Email: andzej.puksto@vdu.lt

Ingrida Unikaitė Jakuntavičienė

Associate professor

Fields of academic interests

Election studies, political campaign communication, political mediatization, political finance, political leadership, citizenship and migration politics, the EU politics, euroscepticizm

Email: ingrida.unikaite-jakuntaviciene@vdu.lt

Gintarė Žukaitė Zelenkienė

Assoc. professor

Fields of academic interests

Latin American studies, human rights, social movements

Email: gintare.zukaite@vdu.lt

IEVA KARPAVIČIŪTĖ

Assoc. professor

Fields of academic interests

International relations, security studies, regional security, international regimes, foreign policy analysis, public diplomacy

Email: ieva.karpaviciute@vdu.lt

 

Gerda Jakštaitė – Confortola

Assoc. professor

Fields of academic interests

US domestic and foreign policy, transatlantic relations, US-Russian relations, international security, international relations

Email: gerda.jakstaite@vdu.lt

Sima Rakutienė

Associate professor

Fields of academic interests

International institutions and institutionalisms, institutions of the European Union, EU’s neighbourhood, foreign, development policy, regional and inter-regional cooperation in the Baltic sea region and Eastern Europe.

Email: sima.rakutiene@vdu.lt

Gintaras Šumskas

Assoc. professor

Fields of academic interests

Comparative politics, elections, electoral behaviour, political communication, political marketing, economic voting, political economy.

Email: gintaras.sumskas@vdu.lt

dr. Mindaugas Norkevičius

Lecturer

Fields of academic interests

Security and foreign policy, regions and regionalism, political geography, politics and media, risk communication, sustainable development.

Email: mindaugas.norkevicius@vdu.lt

Justinas Juozaitis

Lecturer

Fields of academic interests

German Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics, Lithuanian National Security and Defence, Energy Security, Small States, and International Organizations.

Email: justinas.juozaitis@vdu.lt

Charles Szymanski

Professor

Fields of academic interests

International law, comparative labour law

Email: charles.szymanski@vdu.lt

Aušra Rimaitė

Lecturer

Fields of academic interests

Political Sociology, Political Campaigns, Research Methods

Email: ausra.rimaite@vdu.lt

Antanas Venckus

Lecturer

Fields of academic interests

International relations, International organizations, Diplomacy, International economy, Conflicts and security studies.

Email: antanas.venckus@vdu.lt

DONATAS VAINALAVIČIUS

Lecturer

Fields of academic interests

EU Common Security and Defence Policy, Arms Control and Nonproliferation, International Crisis Management.

Email: donatas.vainalavicius@vdu.lt