Domenico Valenza is a PhD Fellow at Ghent University and at the United Nations University – Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS). He is also a Visiting Professor at Maastricht University. In his research Domenico analyses the role of culture in the European Union’s and Russia’s foreign policies in the post-Soviet space (Eastern Partnership countries and Central Asia). His area of expertise includes the EU’s external action, Russia’s foreign policy, people-to-people contacts (cultural relations, cross-border cooperation and educational exchanges) and strategic communication. Prior to joining Ghent University, Domenico worked at No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) as a Programme Officer in Brussels and Dakar, Senegal, and at the College of Europe, Bruges, as a Senior Academic Assistant. His mother tongue is Italian and he speaks English, French and Russian.

Research interests 

EU external action, Russia’s foreign policy, EU-Russia relations, cultural diplomacy and relations, strategic communication

Teaching

• EU-Russia relations: competing in the shared/contested neighbourhood (5-hour module, Maastricht University)
• Cultural Policies and Soft Power of the EU (12-hour seminar, Ghent University)

Contact 

Work address: Korte Meer 1, 9000 Ghent
Mailing address: Universiteitraat 8, 9000 Ghent
Tel.: +32 9 264 68 04
E-mail: Domenico.Valenza@UGent.be

Publications