Sergei Golunov
International Relations · Border Studies ·
Post-Soviet Studies
Doctor of Political Sciences (equivalent to Habilitat)
Professor of SDU University · Kaskelen/Almaty, Kazakhstan
Research
My research is qualitative and interdisciplinary, combining Political Science / International Relations with contemporary history. Methodologically, I primarily use process tracing.
Core themes
- International borders: cross-border cooperation and border-crossing practices
- Political aspects of energy security
- Higher education policy responses to academic malpractices
- Central Asian integration in a comparative perspective.
Geographic focus
The post-Soviet space, with a strong emphasis on Central Asia.
Teaching
Across my career, I have taught courses in English and Russian in International Relations and Russian/Post-Soviet Studies.
Selected courses taught in English
International relations theories
International security
European integration and European Union
Russian politics and society
Global politics of energy
Online courses
Career
Current: Professor, SDU University (Kaskelen, Kazakhstan).
Selected career highlights (not exhaustive):
- Lead Researcher, Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Russian Academy of Sciences, 2018–2024
- Professor, Kyushu University (Japan), 2015–2018
- Volgograd State University — various academic roles, 1999–2008 & 2011–2012.
Highest qualification: Doctor of Political Sciences (Russia; higher doctoral degree awarded through the state attestation system), 2009.
Publications
~200 publications (4 monographs; 20+ articles in Scopus/WoS-indexed journals).
Bridging Borders: Central Asian Cross-Border Cooperation in a Comparative Global Perspective
Sergei Golunov, Assel Bitabar
Springer (Cham), 2025. 119 p.
This book examines cross-border cooperation in Central Asia in a comparative global perspective, highlighting key challenges, institutional settings, and policy implications for strengthening regional cooperation.
The Elephant in the Room:
Corruption and Cheating in Russian Universities
Serghei Golunov
Ibidem (Hannover), 2014. 102 p.
This book analyzes corruption and academic misconduct in Russian higher education and the social trends enabling them. It argues that these issues are often not prioritized by university managers or international actors.
EU-Russian Border Security: Challenges, (Mis)Perceptions, and Responses
Serghei Golunov
Routledge (London and New York), 2012. 208 p.
This book examines the EU–Russia border and its management. It analyzes borderland societies on both sides, key challenges such as migration and cross-border crime, and mutual perceptions of threats and security.
Digital skills
I use digital tools to support academic research and teaching: AI-assisted workflows (incl. image generation), qualitative data analysis, and visual communication.
- AI tools: translation; search, summarization and systematization; idea visualization with AI images (training via 10+ Coursera/Udemy courses, incl. image generation)
- MAXQDA: multi-level coding/structuring of large text corpora; qualitative content analysis
- Presentation tools (advanced): PowerPoint, Google Slides; Visme, Canva
- Academic web & online teaching: creation of academic websites; production of online video courses.
News
2026
27 Jan
Joined the Editorial Board of Alternatives: Global, Local, Political (SAGE).
2025
2 Dec
Published the Udemy course Visual Guide to Geopolitics: A Rapid Theory Primer.
25 Nov
Presented at the OSCE Academy Annual Security Conference 2025 (Bishkek): “Beyond Eurocentrism: Reimagining Central Asian Cross-Border Cooperation for Context-Sensitive Practice.
What I don't do
I work within clear methodological, ethical and safety boundaries.
Collaboration
I welcome collaboration in line with my research and teaching interests:
- Joint research
- Guest lectures, short teaching blocks
- Mini online courses
- Commissioned writing (op-eds, explainers, analytical pieces).
Learn more about collaboration →
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