Dr. Maryna Shevtsova

URIS Fellow Autumn 2026

Dr. Maryna Shevtsova is a political scientist and gender studies scholar whose research examines the intersections of democracy, gender, migration, and social movements in Ukraine,  Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus. Drawing on feminist political theory, gender studies, and political sociology, her work explores how civil society actors navigate war, displacement, authoritarian backlash, and processes of democratic transformation. 

Her research focuses particularly on feminist and LGBTQ+ movements, questions of citizenship and belonging, and the role of civil society in shaping more inclusive and democratic societies. Combining academic research with extensive fieldwork and policy engagement, she contributes to debates on post-war recovery, gender equality, and human rights in Ukraine and beyond.

Education and academic background 

Dr. Shevtsova holds a PhD in Political Science from Humboldt University of Berlin. She is currently a Visiting Assisting Professor at KU Leuven (Belgium). Over the past decade, she has held research and teaching positions at the University of Ljubljana, Lund University, and the University of Florida as a Fulbright Scholar, alongside visiting fellowships at the University of Helsinki and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. 

Prior to these appointments, she taught for eight years at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University in Ukraine. Alongside her academic work, Dr. Shevtsova has collaborated with international organisations including UN OHCHR, the World Bank, Freedom House, GIZ, and ILGA World, conducting research on gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, migration, and post-war recovery in Ukraine and across Central and Eastern Europe.

Contact: maryna.shevtsova@unibas.ch