Vera B. Profile

Dr. Vera BELOSHITZKAYA
Postdoctoral Researcher

Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 18, 5020 Salzburg

Tel.: +43 (0) 662 / 8044-6628
E-Mail:

Office hours: by appointment


Vera Beloshitzkaya is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Manager for the Horizon Europe Push*Back*Lash project led by Professor Dr. Zoe Lefkofridi in Politics & Gender, Diversity & Equality Chair in the Department of Political Science. Dr. Beloshitzkaya earned her PhD in Political Science from Florida International University.  

Dr. Beloshitzkaya’s scholarly interests lie in reframing conventional thinking on Central and Eastern European politics, particularly on gender and politics, democratic backsliding, and authoritarian resilience in the post-communist region and beyond, through theoretical innovation and rigorous empirical studies. Two overarching themes thread her research projects. First, she is interested in political parties and social movements as women’s interest framers, translators, and challengers. Her second line of research examines the role of family, legacy, and structure in the formation of political and gender attitudes in the post-communist region and beyond. 

Dr. Beloshitzkaya’s methodological expertise is in mixed-methods research designs, with training and applied experience in advanced statistical methods and data analysis. Her grant and project management experience comes from her work in state government, where she led a team responsible for the design and implementation of multiple programs and projects related to maternal and child health.  

Dr. Beloshitzkaya previously taught Introduction to Comparative Politics, and Russian Politics courses at Florida International University, Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems courses at Broward College and College Writing. She was also a Dissertation Scholar at the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University. Her work has appeared in Party Politics, East European Politics, Societies: and Cultures, and The European Journal of Politics and Gender.