Institute for Global Analytics
We are an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit organization in Bulgaria, aspiring to harness social scientific research in the name of delivering pioneering analyses and solutions to pressing international political, social and economic problems.
Here you can find out more about our goals and values, international expert partnerships, publications and events. We look forward to cooperating with you!
Founders
The two founders of the Institute for Global Analytics, Rumena and Gergana, trace their longstanding and fruitful association to the University of Cambridge, where they met over a decade ago.
Dr. Rumena Filipova
Chairperson and Co-Founder of the Institute for Global Analytics
Dr. Gergana Yankova-Dimova
Executive Director and Co-Founder at the Institute for Global Analytics
Expert Network
IGA’s expert network encompasses leading international researchers, whose specializations span different regions of the world (e.g. Europe, East Asia) and varied thematic issue areas (security, gender, political economy).
Publications
China-Europe Academic Engagement Tracker
IGA participated in an international project, organized by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), mapping the academic interactions between universities in Central and Eastern Europe and their Chinese counterparts. A pioneering China-Europe Academic Engagement Tracker has been produced, which provides a comprehensive record of how European academic institutions engage with China, helps understand …
Article: Bulgaria’s Balancing Act
In her article for Eurozine, Dr. Rumena Filipova discusses how Bulgarian stances favoring ‘balancing’ and ‘neutrality’ resurfaced in the context of the Ukraine war. The longer-term explanations of Bulgaria’s identity and policy ambivalence and the possibilities for change draw on the findings of Dr. Filipova’s book ‘Constructing the Limits of Europe. Identity and Foreign Policy …
New Book: Constructing the Limits of Europe. Identity and Foreign Policy in Poland, Bulgaria, and Russia since 1989
Dr. Rumena Filipova’s new book has been officially released and is now available in libraries and bookshops. It examines the reasons for the differential Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe since 1989, which ultimately culminated in the Ukraine war and the energy standoff between Russia and Poland and Bulgaria. The book asks: why have some …
Article: Conspiracy theories in Bulgaria
In an article for the GeoPost, Dr. Rumena Filipova discusses the root causes and popularity of conspiratorial thinking in Bulgaria as well as the key conspiracy narratives disseminated in the context of the Ukraine war. You can read the full article here.
Article: Romania – Determined Action on the Ukrainian-Russian Frontline
In her article for the GeoPost, Dr. Rumena Filipova argues that Romania’s response to the Russian war on Ukraine has represented an active stance in line with the established patterns of Romanian foreign policy and Russian-Romanian relations. You can read the full article here.
Article: Bulgaria’s Russia Dilemma
In an article for the GeoPost, Dr. Rumena Filipova argues that Bulgaria’s ambivalence about its positioning between East and West has been reactivated politically, societally and in foreign policy terms within the context of the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine. Calls for neutrality undermine the quality of Bulgaria’s membership in the EU and NATO. You can …
Blog post: Breaking theoretical and empirical boundaries in democracy research
In a blog post for the European Consortium for Political Research, Dr. Gergana Dimova argues in favor of overcoming the disciplinary clash between comparative politics and democratic theory. Accordingly, holistic knowledge can strengthen the rigor and link between theoretical assumptions and empirical evidence in democracy research. You can read the full article here.
Blog post: Towards a global and multi-dimensional response to disinformation
Dr. Rumena Filipova has taken part in the International Visitor Leadership Program on media responsibility in an age of disinformation, organized by the US Department of State. In a blog post for CRDFGlobal, she outlines key insights emerging from discussions among leading American media specialists and IVLP fellows from around the world on how to …
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Upcoming Book: “Constructing the Limits of Europe: Identity and Foreign Policy in Poland, Bulgaria, and Russia since 1989”
Dr. Rumena Filipova’s new book “Constructing the Limits of Europe. Identity and Foreign Policy in Poland, Bulgaria and Russia since 1989” is announced in the Columbia University Press Spring catalog (p.84). Release date: 30 April 2022. The author extends her special thanks to the editor Dr. Andreas Umland, foreword authors Professor Harald Wydra (Cambridge) and Dr. …
Article: Bulgarian Parliamentary Elections, Round Three
Dr. Gergana Dimova analyzes the victory of political newcomer “We Continue the Change” in the November 2021 parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. The article focuses on education as a factor in the electorate’s political choices and further discusses the budding transition from “personalities to policies and to process”. You can read the analysis here: Bulgarian-Elections-This-time-it-might-work-IGA
Report: Chinese corrosive capital in Bulgaria and Romania
The publication is produced as part of the Authoritarian Corrosive Capital in CEE series, edited by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), and prepared thanks to a financial contribution from the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). Read the Report
News
Dr. Rumena Filipova interviewed by Deutsche Welle on Chinese universities, Confucius Institutes and Huawei in Bulgaria
In an interview for Deutsche Welle featuring China’s cultural-educational influence in Bulgaria, IGA’s chairperson points out the scope of Bulgarian universities’ contracts with their Chinese counterparts; the lack of transparency of Confucius Institute operations and the subnational involvement of Huawei in Bulgaria’s tertiary education system. You can read the full article in German here.
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Deutsche Welle about Chinese academic influence in Bulgaria
In an interview for Deutsche Welle, IGA’s chairperson discusses the interconnection between Russian and Chinese influence in Bulgaria. She emphasizes the growing academic presence of China, which is perceived as an opportunity in Bulgaria, while there is a lack of debate and regulations about the dangers of this presence. Pro-Chinese bias in political science and …
International Conference: China-Europe Academic Engagement
Dr. Rumena Filipova took part in a conference in Bratislava on 24 June 2022 organized by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (Slovakia). The event presented the findings from a cross-national project mapping the academic interactions between universities in Central and Eastern Europe and their Chinese counterparts. Dr. Filipova spoke alongside Samuel Spáč (Transparency …
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Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to the Geopost about the political crisis in Bulgaria
In an interview for the Geopost, Dr. Rumena Filipova analyzed the political crisis in Bulgaria following ITN’s withdrawal from the coalition government. She stresses that the political crisis is a reflection of significant and long-term processes taking place in many sectors of Bulgarian society, based on a struggle between the post-communist status quo and the …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to the Geopost about the political crisis in Bulgaria Read More »
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to the Bulgarian National Radio about cross-regional perspectives on Russian disinformation
In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, Dr. Rumena Filipova presented the key conclusions from the international hybrid roundtable, which took place on 1 June 2022. In focus was a comparative approach to the media influence of authoritarian states (Russia and China) in Europe but also in other regions and countries of the world, …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Capital Daily about the EC’s proposals for asset freezes
In an interview for Capital Daily, Dr. Rumena Filipova commented that the European Commission’s proposals for freezing and confiscating assets of oligarchs have been spurred by Russia’s war on Ukraine, as for a long time Russian oligarchs had been able to unproblematically use their wealth in Europe. The proposals also seek to establish a common …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Capital Daily about the EC’s proposals for asset freezes Read More »
Science+ Media Training: Tackling Medical Disinformation
On May 19 and 20, 2022 a pilot training for Bulgarian journalists was conducted as part of the platform Science+ developed by Free Press for Eastern Europe (Czechia) and Free Press Unlimited. The training took place in Sofia Tech Parк and focused on equipping the trainees with conceptual and practical tools to recognize medial disinformation …
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International Conference: Three Seas One Opportunity
Dr. Rumena Filipova participated in the international conference Three Seas One Opportunity, which was held on May 18-19, 2022 in Zielona Góra, Poland, and was organized by the Institute of Political Sciences and Administration of the University of Zielona Góra, the “Układ Sił” monthly magazine and Collegium Nobilium Opoliense. IGA’s chairperson took part in a …
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Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Deutsche Welle about Bulgaria’s domestic political situation
IGA’s Chairperson discussed Bulgaria’s growing political polarization with regard to Russia, the dilemmas and purpose of reaching a political compromise on military assistance to Ukraine and Kyiv’s role in the process. You can read the full article (in German) here.
Media training. Generation Z: Building up disinformation resilience in the leaders of tomorrow
Dr. Rumena Filipova took part in a media training, organized by the American-Bulgarian Alumni Association in partnership with the Euro-Atlantic Council of Macedonia and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria. The workshop consisted of a series of lectures aimed at teaching media literacy skills for identifying disinformation to young professionals, activists and students from Bulgaria and …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to der Tagesspiegel on Russia’s cutoff of gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria
IGA’s chairperson commented on Russia’s cutoff of gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria for der Tagesspiegel. She asks: Why did Russia target Poland and Bulgaria (apart from issues regarding contract terms): two countries with different historical perceptions of Russia and current policies towards the Ukraine war? The Kremlin attacks even those that traditionally try to …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to der Tagesspiegel: Bulgaria’s conundrum about military assistance to Ukraine
IGA’s chairperson gave an interview for the Tagesspiegel regarding Bulgaria’s conundrum about weapons exports to Ukraine. She commented on the necessity of communicating to the public why sending military assistance is vital and why hesitation in joining NATO positions may reinforce perceptions of Bulgaria as an ambivalent ally. You can read the full article (in …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Bulgaria On Air
In an interview for TV channel Bulgaria On Air, IGA’s chairperson highlighted how Russian propaganda uses children and the elderly as a key disinformation tactic as well as how it instrumentalizes the historical legacy of the Great Patriotic War. You can listen to the whole interview (in Bulgarian) here.
Dr. Rumena Filipova for Deutsche Welle on Bulgaria’s Russia vulnerabilities
In the interview for DW, IGA’s Chairperson highlights the continuing pro-Russian inclinations of sections of the Bulgarian political and military elite. You can read the full article (in German) here.
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to KosovaPress
In the interview, IGA Chairperson talks about the impact of the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine on the international order; its likely repercussions for the Balkans; the trajectory of Western policy, including further military commitment. You can watch the video in English here.
International Conference: Russian Influence in the Balkans in the Midst of the Ukraine War
The conference was organized by the Geopost and took place in Pristina, Kosovo. Key insights and concerns from leading experts and diplomats of the region were related to the impact of Russian aggression on the Europeanization and security of Balkan countries. Dr. Rumena Filipova spoke about the Kremlin’s influence operations in Southeast Europe with a …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to the Bulgarian National Radio about the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine
In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, Dr. Rumena Filipova pointed out that in addition to its military aggression in Ukraine, Russia is intensifying the propaganda war in the direction of historical disinformation. Beijing and Moscow are likely to continue to come closer to each other. You can listen to the interview (in Bulgarian) …
Dr. Plamen Ivanov speaks to Capital Daily
In interviews for Capital Daily, Dr. Plamen Ivanov analyzes key trends and prospects for the British economy. He identifies a complex mix of factors that can lead to a negative economic fallout, including continuing trade difficulties with the EU, shortages of labor force and inflation. In the energy sector, an unstable retail energy market, insufficient …
Below the Radar podcast – Simon Fraser University Vancity Office of Community Engagement
Dr. Rumena Filipova spoke to host Am Johal for the Below the Radar podcast. The conversation features a preview of Dr. Filipova’s forthcoming book and a discussion of the causes of nationalism in Central Europe; the similarities and differences of Russian (media) influence in Europe; the confluence of Russia’s and China’s ideas and activities; and …
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Dr. Rumena Filipova comments on the Russia-West standoff over Ukraine on TV Europe
In an interview for TV Europe, Dr. Rumena Filipova argues that the current standoff over Ukraine has to be looked at through the prism of the history of Russia-West relations at least since 1989. The clash over NATO expansion is a manifestation of the larger development of ideational incompatibility. Moscow reacts emotionally to the expansion …
Dr. Rumena Filipova comments on the Russia-West standoff over Ukraine on TV Europe Read More »
International Conference: Sustainable Recovery in Post-Pandemic Era. Green Economy Challenges
Dr. Gergana Dimova was the keynote speaker at the international scientific conference “Sustainable Recovery in Post-Pandemic Era. Green Economy Challenges”, which took place on 7-8 December 2021. The conference was organized by the Institute of Social Sciences (Centre for Economic Research) from Serbia, the Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research, Ss. Cyril and Methodius …
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Al Jazeera
Bulgaria in the midst of its third parliamentary election in 2021: Dr. Rumena Filipova shares her perspective for Al Jazeera on the role of Russian disinformation and its connections to far-right nationalist groups in the dissemination of COVID-related propagandist claims. You can watch the full interview here.
Dr. Rumena Filipova for Kosovo’s GeoPost on Russian influence in the Balkans
Dr. Rumena Filipova spoke to Kosovo’s GeoPost regarding the Kremlin’s extensive influence operations in the Balkans with a particular reference to recent events in Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia. You can read the full interview here.
International Conference: Questions of Accountability
Dr. Gergana Dimova and Dr. Rumena Filipova took part in the international conference ‘Questions of Accountability: Prerogatives, Power and Politics’, organized by the University of Worcester. The online event was held between 1 and 5 November 2021. Key topics of discussion included the link between media, populism and accountability across diverse geographical regions such as …
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Podcast: Dangers and Implications of Foreign Authoritarian Economic Influence
Dr. Rumena Filipova converses with Patrik Szicherle for Political Capital’s podcast on foreign authoritarian economic influence. Some of the questions discussed include the similarities and differences of Russian and Chinese strategies for establishing economic clout; whether foreign malign actors should be altogether excluded from public procurement projects; and comparisons of Chinese economic influence in Hungary …
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Conference: The Private Sector’s Role in Combating Corrosive Capital in Central Europe
The online conference marked the culmination of the paper series on corrosive capital in Central Europe, organized by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) and supported by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). Jeffrey Lightfoot, CIPE Program Director, Europe, moderated the discussion with Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director of CEIAS, Nina Pejič, Junior …
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Budapest Forum. Building Sustainable Democracies
Dr. Rumena Filipova has taken part in the Budapest Forum, convened by the City of Budapest, Political Capital Institute and CEU Democracy Institute. Dr. Filipova spoke about Chinese influence in Bulgaria and Romania on the panel “Responding to the Chinese Communist Party’s Strategies of Subnational Influence”, organized by the International Republican Institute. You can find …
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Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Bloomberg TV Bulgaria
Dr. Rumena Filipova’s interview discusses the Russian parliamentary elections that took place between 17 and 19 September, including societal trends, the role of Alexey Navalny and the crackdown on the opposition. You can read the full interview (in Bulgarian) here.
Conference: “Disinformation: Open Societies, Hidden Wars”
Dr. Rumena Filipova has taken part in the international conference “Disinformation: Open Societies, Hidden Wars”, held by Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education and the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing. Dr. Filipova moderated a panel on disinformation and the coronavirus pandemic as well as a workshop situating disinformation in national contexts with a focus on Romania and …
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Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to the Bulgarian National Radio
Dr. Rumena Filipova for the Bulgarian National Radio on the newly established Institute for Global Analytics: the role of women and the importance of ‘globality’ in the contemporary world.Also in focus: the scope and risks of Chinese corrosive capital in Bulgaria and the other countries from Central and Eastern Europe. Listen to the interview (in …
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Dr. Vinicius Rodrigues Vieira publishes a paper on global environmental politics in Post-Communist Economies
The research shows that post-Soviet states that have borrowed from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, but have also aligned with China have higher carbon emissions. You can find the full text here.
Dr. Rumena Filipova speaks to Deutsche Welle
Dr. Rumena Filipova discusses the dangers of and responses to Chinese corrosive capital in Central and Eastern Europe for Deutsche Welle.
Dr. Gergana Dimova joins the Editorial Board of the journal Democratic Theory
Dr. Gergana Dimova becomes Associate Editor of the journal Democratic Theory. The edition encourages innovative, cross-disciplinary, global contributions to the analysis of the key questions concerning democratization studies.