SUSANN WORSCHECH

Susann Worschech is a political sociologist whose research focuses on the political sociology of Europe, with particular emphasis on Ukraine and post-socialist societies. She is a faculty member at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, and the scientific coordinator of the KIU Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies at the same university. Her doctoral dissertation on external democracy promotion in Ukraine was awarded the Klaus Mehnert Prize of the German Association for East European Studies, recognising her contribution to the study of democratic consolidation in post-socialist contexts. She was also awarded the Brandenburg State Prize for Academic Excellence for a paper on Ambivalent Europeanization, focusing on Ukraine.

Her scholarship investigates the intersections between European integration and domestic political transformation in post-socialist countries. Worschech has analysed the role of civil society organisations, transnational networks, and policy interventions in shaping governance, political participation, and democratic development. Her work offers a critical perspective on the promises and limitations of Europeanization as a transformative process, providing insights into the challenges faced by societies in transition.

Beyond academia, Worschech is actively engaged in policy debates and international cooperation on European integration, democratization, and civil society development. She has contributed to major collaborative initiatives and advisory projects linking scholarship with governance practice. Her research has shaped discussions on democracy and European integration in Eastern Europe, bridging analytical insight with practical relevance.