Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS)

In her new book ‘Das Phantom der alten Grenze am Zbruč’ [‘The Phantom of the Old Border at the Zbruč’], social geographer Sabine von Löwis explores a now almost forgotten border in Western Ukraine. She shows how border spaces from the past can re-emerge in a given situation or context. It’s about memory, future expectations, space and belonging.

Armenia wants to move closer to Europe politically and economically – but the path to achieving this is controversial. While the government is seeking more cooperation with the EU, the general population – and young people in particular – are divided on the issue. What does this mean for the future of Armenia?

This KonKoop In:Security Report explores how security is perceived, experienced, and enacted by ordinary citizens — and how the notion of ‘societal security’ in Eastern Europe has changed in the wake of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Kerstin Bischl speaks with Felix Herrmann from Discuss Data and Ivaylo Dinev from the KonKoop Datalab about objectives, chances and challenges that come with researching Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The Russian diaspora in Canada is rarely in the public eye – and yet the Kremlin regards it as a strategic resource. A ZOiS Report based on survey data and focus groups sheds light on political attitudes and historical narratives.

On 24 Feburary 2022, Russia began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Our online dossier gathers relevant information in the form of videos, podcast episodes, publications and assessments of our experts in the media.

Meet the Author | Sabine von Löwis

ZOiS Spotlight 15/2025

Armenia’s Uncertain Path to Europe

by Tsypylma Darieva Paul Wernig 30/07/2025

Annual Report

Disinformation, hostility towards scientists and the question of what ZOiS can do about it were issues that preoccupied us in 2024. This Annual Report also presents the guiding principles of our research up to 2030 and introduces ZOiS’s first Gender Equality Officer.

Online Event – IEP Europe Talks

Since Donald Trump's return to the White House, US commitment to Ukraine's future is uncertain. How can Europe compensate for the lack of support? And what are the realistic chances for a just peace? This panel discussion addresses the most pressing issues in current Ukraine policy.

when

09/09/2025 09.30 am 10.45 am

where

Online

ZOiS Forum

In Russia, repression is increasingly targeting identity rather than activism. Experts discuss how persecution, migration, and human rights work are changing in the context of authoritarian tendencies and global discourse.

when

25/09/2025 06.00 pm 07.30 pm

where

Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS)
Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Str. 60
10117 Berlin

The individual projects of ZOiS are currently divided into five research clusters.

New dekoder series

With a contribution on ‘Independence à la Ukraine’ by Andrii Portnov, the online medium dekoder is launching a new series with explainers on Ukraine in cooperation with ZOiS. In dekoders article series (‘Gnosen’), researchers write scientifically sound explanatory texts, which offer concise and easy-to-read insights into specific topics.

Funding Commitment 

The SCRIPTS Cluster of Excellence will enter its second phase in 2026. In this phase, the focus will be on the resilience of democratic social orders. ZOiS will contribute social science expertise on Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Roundtable Osteuropa is a podcast by the Centre for East European and International Studies. Scholars of ZOiS and their guests discuss their research of Eastern Europe. We consider events in politics and society, while also trying to shed light on lesser-known issues – with insights from sociology, political science, geography, social anthropology, literary studies and theology.

ALL EPISODES

Video: Ukraine Research Network@ZOiS

As seen in the Ukrainian context, science and innovation are pivotal in propelling economic development and regional prosperity, even in conflict-affected areas. In this event, we discuss the intricate relationship between science, innovation, and broader regional dynamics.

Video: Ukraine Research Network@ZOiS

Russia's war against Ukraine raises ethical questions for researchers working on Ukraine. This workshop, organised by UNET, examined the situation of researchers affected by the war and compared the experiences of Ukrainian researchers with those from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kosovo.

Reseachers from various academic disciplines do research in five clusters and publish their result in peer-reviewed journals.

Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS)

‘Historical Borders Often Continue to Resonate To This Day’

Armenia’s Uncertain Path to Europe

Emancipatory Dimensions of In:Security – Strategies of Coping with War Challenges in Ukraine

Visibility, Access, Power: Why research data infrastructure matters

Russian Canadians: Views on Politics, History and Society

Russia's War against Ukraine

Latest Publications

‘Historical Borders Often Continue to Resonate To This Day’

Armenia’s Uncertain Path to Europe

ZOiS Annual Report 2024

Upcoming Events

The Future of EU Support for Ukraine: Ensuring Security, Justice, and Peace in a Shifting Transatlantic Landscape

Repression in Russia: Targeted Groups and Opportunities for European Solidarity

News

Ukraine explainers with ZOiS participation

Cluster of Excellence ‘Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)’ with ZOiS Participation to be Continued

Roundtable Osteuropa

Event Recordings

The State of Science in Ukraine: Innovation and Regional Dynamics in Times of War

The Ethics of War and Post-war Research: Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kosovo

Centre for East European and International Studies

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