Dr. Kerry Longhurst, a lecturer at Collegium Civitas, conducts research and makes significant contributions across critical domains, showcasing her expertise and commitment to comprehending intricate geopolitical dynamics. Her recent work encompasses a comprehensive analysis of key geopolitical issues, including EU enlargement and Eastern neighbourhood dynamics, South Caucasus dynamics, and state capture in Moldova, offering valuable insights to policymakers, academics, and the public alike.

• EU Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood: Dr. Longhurst’s research sheds light on the challenges and opportunities associated with the potential rapid enlargement of the European Union into Eastern European states like Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia. Her findings underscore the importance of soberly assessing the evolving context, particularly in Moldova, where issues such as corruption and political polarization could hinder the EU integration process. Dr. Longhurst’s collaboration with the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum produced a report tracking the alignment of Eastern Partnership countries with EU norms, highlighting Moldova’s progress while cautioning against potential setbacks. Details of the report can be found here .
• South Caucasus Dynamics: Through the project on China as a green power, Dr. Longhurst, along with Dr. Agnieszka Nitza-Makowska and Katarzyna Skiert-Andrzejuk M.A., delve into the growing influence of China in the South Caucasus region, particularly in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Their research reveals the increasing economic and political competition between China and the EU, particularly in areas such as energy, the environment, and infrastructure development. China’s significant investments in the region, coupled with its soft power initiatives, present complex challenges and opportunities for the countries involved. The project “Environmental Diplomacy as a Soft Power Instrument: China and the Belt and Road Initiative” is financed by the National Science Centre within the SONATA Programme.
• State Capture in Moldova: Dr. Longhurst’s analysis explores the phenomenon of state capture in Moldova, a post-Soviet state plagued by corruption and institutional weaknesses. Despite hopes for improvement, her research indicates that state capture remains a potent force, undermining socio-economic resilience and the rule of law. The prospect of EU membership has not fully alleviated this issue, emphasizing the ongoing challenges facing Moldova’s business environment and governance structures. The full article is available here .

Dr. Longhurst is also the initiator and coordinator of the “Debating Europe: Internal and External Dynamics of European Integration” (DEBUE) project.