Dr Felix Ciuta

Associate Professor

SSEES

UCL SLASH

Joined UCL: 13th May 2002

Research summary

My current research is driven by three major themes. 'Contexts of security' is probably the label that captures best the mix of theoretical andempirical issues that has driven my research for the last decade or so. I draw on hermeneutics and narrative theory to study the relationship between concepts and politics of security in different historical or regional settings. My work on securitization, alliances, energy security and regions develops this contextual framework of analysis.

My research on contemporary security issues addresses a second major theme. I am especially interested in the relationship between the discourses of identity and strategic necessity that have marked post-Cold War European security. This topic brings together my work on NATO, regional security integration in the Black Sea region, US foreign policy in Eastern Europe, and Romanian foreign and security policy.

Finally, the most recent strand of my research concerns the constitution of International Relations (theory) as a domain of knowledge, with particular emphasis on the interaction between IR and other knowledge domains, such as popular culture, mass media and public policy.

Teaching summary

I teach a number of courses in international relations and security at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Currently, I supervise two PhD students who work on elite networks and regional security integration, and the relationship between security politics and the mass media.

Courses

SEESGS32 Security, Identity, Polarity (MA)

SESS3103 European Security

SESS1102 Introduction to International Relations