School of International Relations Research Center (IRRC)

Interdisciplinary Research in International Relations and Global Affairs

The International Relations Research Center (IRRC) at the University of New York in Prague (UNYP) is an academic hub for interdisciplinary and policy-driven research. IRRC explores contemporary global issues through collaboration within UNYP and with external institutions, contributing to scholarship and policy in international relations, security, governance, and communication.

Political Communication & Media Influence

Political communication in democratic and authoritarian regimes
Propaganda and disinformation studies
Voting behavior and public opinion formation
Media ecosystems, populism, and political party dynamics

Peace, Conflict & Collective Security Studies

Conflict analysis, prevention, and transformation
Peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction
Collective security mechanisms (e.g., NATO, UN)
Crisis response and transitional justice

International Relations & Security Strategy

Multilateral diplomacy and international organizations (EU, NATO, UN)
Strategic and defense policy development
Hybrid warfare and irregular conflict
Counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations
Environmental and non-traditional security threats

Governance, Ethics & Democratization

Democratization and political transitions
Political ethics and integrity systems
Governance models and institutional resilience

Law & Global Norms

International law and global legal systems
International humanitarian law
Human rights law and enforcement

Historical & Regional Studies

Cold War legacy and superpower relations
EU history and institutional evolution
American foreign policy
Regional studies with a focus on Africa and Central Europe

Research lead

Jakub Záhora

Ph.D. Charles University, Czech Republic MA SOAS University of London, UK MA Charles University, Czech Republic

Jakub Zahora holds Masters degree in Middle Eastern Studies from SOAS, University of London, and Masters degree in Security Studies and doctorate in International Relations from Charles University. He joined UNYP’s School of International Relations and Media Studies in fall 2023 as a research lead. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology and a lecturer at Department of International Relations at Charles University. He also held visiting fellowships at Hebrew University, Copenhagen University and New York University. Zahora has taught courses on Middle East politics, theories of International Relations and security studies, and methodology in political science, and his research interests cover critical approaches to international politics, political ethnography, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.