From left: Rongsheng Liu, Sandor Gorni and Laura Ritter. Photo: Joseph Noonan © 2024

PhD studies in political science at Stockholm University

Although they have not yet been officially assigned permanent supervisors, Niklas Bremberg, the Director of PhD Studies, is currently serving as their temporary supervisor.

Ritter Laura, PhD candidate
 

What is your academic background?
"I completed my studies in International Relations in Regensburg (BA) and Berlin/Potsdam (MA) with stays abroad in Colombia, China and the US," said Laura Ritter. 

What is your thesis project all about?
"In my PhD project I would like to investigate how regime type affects international cooperation on gender equality. Gender equality is closely linked to democracy, and while many autocratic regimes are curtailing the rights of women and girls at the national level, I would like to know if the same relationship can be observed in international organizations."

Why did this specific subject grab your attention?
"I believe in the importance of international organizations in addressing global challenges such as gender inequality. The UN has been an important actor in advancing the rights of women and girls around the world. However, the rise of autocracies and their increasing influence in international organizations not only challenges the liberal international order, but may also jeopardize progress on gender equality. Therefore, my research is motivated by two overarching questions: a) how international organizations can be made more resilient, and b) how international gender norms can be protected in times of backlash," said Laura Ritter. 
 

Rongsheng Liu, PhD candidate

What is your academic background?
"I have gained my master's degrees at both Stockholm University and London School of Economics and Political Science. Before that, I graduated from Peking University and got a bachelor's degree in history as well as international politics," said Rongsheng Liu. 

What is your thesis project all about?
"My PhD belongs to the project "Democracy, autocracy, and international cooperation (DEMCOOP)". My current interest focuses on the role of power distributions between autocracies and democracies in the crisis of liberal international order, especially the increasing contestation of liberal international norms."

Why did this specific subject grab your attention?
"To me, the topic of this project is highly relevant to the current events in international politics. Studying it would help us to make our society more resilient during the time of crisis, and better solve global challenges. Besides, personally, my master's thesis is about autocratization and human rights foreign policy, so that I would like to further explore these topics in my PhD study," said Rongsheng Liu. 

Sandor Gorni, PhD candidate

 
What is your academic background?
"I hold an MSc in Political Science from Uppsala University and an MSc in Investigative Journalism from the University of Gothenburg, as well as a BSc in Business Administration from Stockholm University. This interdisciplinary academic background has given me a deep understanding of the intersections between media, politics, and business which shape and inform my approach to research," said Sandor Gorni.
 
What is your thesis project all about?
"I am part of the research project called "Shaping the Online Public Sphere: How and Why Do Democracies Regulate Social Media Platforms?". My current interest lies in political participation, specifically exploring how different social groups use and mobilize on social media. I aim to examine how these groups interpret and navigate the evolving social media landscape, as well as how changes in social media platforms influence these groups' political engagement and mobilization practices."
 
Why did this specific subject grab your attention?
"User-generated content platforms are an integral part of our daily lives. While these platforms have the potential to enhance democratic participation and foster dialogue, they also pose significant challenges by facilitating the spread of hate speech or misinformation. This research project interests me not only as a social media user but also because it raises important normative questions about democracy, freedom of speech, and censorship. Its empirical relevance is undeniable, and its broader implications for society make it an especially compelling area of study," said Sandor Gorni.

PhD programme at the Department of Political Science