Professor Earns Six Month Research Fellowship in Germany

Political science Professor Juris Pupcenoks stands in front of the Academy of International Affairs in Bonn, Germany. Credit: Photo courtesy of Juris Pupcenoks

Juris Pupcenoks, associate professor of political science at Marist College, never expected to relocate to Bonn, Germany, spending six months reading through documents released by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pupcenoks jetted off to Bonn in July to begin a six-month research fellowship at the Academy of International Affairs. He is among 12 researchers selected from across the globe.

“I try to apply for these every so often, but I read about it in a newsletter that said to apply with a pressing issue, so I decided to apply,” said Pupcenoks. “Every researcher is given autonomy and independence to spend six months researching their interest.”

He became intrigued by Russian strategic narratives after Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. Then, the war in Ukraine broke out in 2022, and he became more of an expert on Russian propaganda.

“When working on an article about the invasion, I became interested in strategic narratives, and I wanted to look at the Russian language more broadly,” said Pupcenoks. “I wanted to look at Russia's political comments and to read the English statements they released.”

He hoped to compare public affairs statements in Russia with various Eastern European countries, including Estonia and Moldova. He is researching how effectively propaganda spreads disinformation and how smaller countries are learning to combat it.

So, when he heard he could spend six months researching strategic narratives, he immediately sent in his resume and research proposal.

Fellows range from academics to journalists. Each fellow sent in research proposals on varying interests. The goal is to produce either a book or a series of news articles following the six months of research.

“We research, network, organize events, read, write and research some more,” said Pupcenoks.

Pupcenoks is currently organizing a workshop in December for other fellows to discuss his research.

The Academy’s working language is English, eliminating Pupcenoks’ stress of learning German. The fellowship also helped him and his family find housing. Still, he had to adjust to the German banking system and learn how to navigate public transportation. Pupcenoks bikes to work daily and drops his son at daycare across the street from his office. To adapt to the day-to-day cultural differences, he turned to the other fellows.

“You come here, and you are around other people doing research, so the fellows who have been here longer give you advice,” said Pupcenoks. “Everyone comes and goes, so we’re our own community.”

Pupcenoks will return to Marist this January. He hopes that spending such an extended time in Germany will help him better teach his European politics and international law courses. He is also ecstatic to bring his research back to the college to possibly start a research group or spark student interest in strategic narratives.

“It is such a luxury to spend six months predominantly on research,” said Pupcenoks. “I hope to be more recharged in taking a break from Marist and to bring back more ideas.”