FOUNDER

PhD. Prof. Tornike Shurgulaia

Chairman of the Academic board

Education

• June - Aug. 2014 – Scholarship - US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs – Study of the

US Institutes for Scholars on U.S. Political Thought University of Massachusetts, Amherst. www.umass.edu

• 2011- Ph.D. Humanitarian Sciences in History, Georgian Technical University, Business-Engineering Faculty, Department

of Social Sciences. Dissertation: „US Foreign Policy Towards Georgia“. www.gtu.ge

• 2006 - M.A. Political Science. Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Social and Political sciences.

Thesis Title: „US-Georgia Relations“ - www.tsu.ge

• 2004 - B.A. History of Diplomacy and International relations. Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Faculty of History. www.tsu.ge

Professional Experience and Positions

• 2022 - Professor and IR BA Program chair at the St. Andrews Georgian University.

• 2018 - 2022 Researcher at the "Peace Studies Center" of the Sokhumi State University.
• 2018 - 2022 Associate Professor at the Sokhumi State University, Faculty of Social and

Political Sciences.

• 30.01.2018 – 2021 Professor at the Tbilisi Open University, Humanitarian and Social Science School,

International Relations.

• 03.10.2016 – Georgian National University, Associate Professor at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, International Relations.

• 01.09.2015 – 2018 - Invited Lecturer at the International Black Sea University. Lecture course: ″National Security and Intelligence″; ″US Foreign Policy″.

• 2015. June 2-5 - Invited lecturer at the Diplomatic Training center of the Ministry of foreign affairs of Georgia. Lecture course in Global Security.

• 2014. February 3-12 - Invited lecturer at the Diplomatic Training center of the Ministry of foreign affairs of Georgia. Lecture course in Global Security.

• 18.09.2013 - 06.25.2016 - Georgian National University (SEU), Associate Professor at The Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Lecture course: History of the US and UK (Course In English).

• 26.09.2011 – 22.07.2013 - Georgian National University (SEU), Invited lecturer at The Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Lecture course: History of the US and UK (Course in English).

• 07.04.2010 – 31.05.2010 - International internship project of AIESEC „CHALLENGE YOUR WORLD 2010“. Invited lecturer at the Mikhail Tugan-Baranovsky Donetsk National University of Economic and trade, Ukraine. Lectures Topics: Cultural differences; Time management; Goal setting; Team working; Business etiquette; Business ethics; Project management; Leadership; Active learning.

• 2009 – 2010 - Georgian Technical University, Invited lecturer at the Business-Engineering Faculty, Lecture course - International etiquette and Modern Diplomacy.

• 01.01.2005 - 25.05.2005 Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. (Internship).

• 29.03.2003 - 25.05.2003 Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of General Secretariat. (Practice)

• 08.01.2003 - 08.03.2003 Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Diplomatic Protocol. (Practice)

Scientific Activity Conferences

• ,,Open Door Doctrine – the Roots of U.S. Global Claims“, 6th Annual International Conference on American Studies,

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association of American Studies, 2004.

• ,,FBI and Interpol (Foundation, Cooperation, Essential principles)“, 7th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association of American Studies, 2005.

• „U.S. Foreign Policy in the South Caucasus region“, 8th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association of American Studies, 2006.

• „Specifics of the US foreign Intelligence“, 10th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association of American Studies, 2009.

• „NSA“ (black room)“, 11th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Institute of American Studies at Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association for American Studies, 2010.

• „Regain of Independence in Georgia and Position of the USA“, 12th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Institute of American Studies at Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association for American Studies, 2011.

• „F.B.I.’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime“, 13th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Institute of American Studies at Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association for American Studies, 2012.

• „The US Intelligence Community”, 15th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Institute of American Studies at Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association for American Studies, 2014.

• The Annual Conference and Workshop on Cultural Diplomacy 2014 “A World without Walls: Opportunities for Peace Building in a Time of Global Insecurity” (Berlin; Institute of Cultural Diplomacy November 7th - 10th, 2014)

• 2015 3-5 May. Study of the U.S. Institute for American Politics and Political Thought, Annual Conference of Alumni Scholars of the U.S. Department of State and UMass. Conference theme: International Perspectives: The U.S. and the World in the 21st Century. Speech: Role of the USA in Russian-Ukraine Conflict.

Bulgaria, Sofia.
● 2015. 14-16 October. CRANS MONTANA FORUM on Homeland and Global Security. Geneva, Switzerland.

● „ODNI functions”, 17th Annual International Conference on American Studies, Institute of American Studies at Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Association for American Studies, 2016

● International Black Sea University, project ″Teaching Partnership″, organized by Center for Teaching Excellence, 2016.

● 2017. 28 April-1 May - Study of the U.S. Institute for American Politics and Political Thought, Annual Conference of Alumni Scholars of the U.S. Department of State and UMass. Theme of speech: Future Perspectives of Georgia and Activities of Thomas Jefferson Research Center. Istanbul, Turkey.

● 2018. 7-8 May - International scientific conference on "Global Perspectives of One Belt One Road Initiative", Conference theme: "OBOR Security Issues-Georgian Perspective"

● 2018, 27-28 September - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Łódź Eastern Meetings: Social and Economic Transitions in

Central And Eastern European Countries, University of Łódź, Faculty of Social and Economic sciences. Poland

Publications in Journals

• ,,U.S. Diplomacy in Iraq in 21 Century.“ (Magazine of Politics). 1-3’ 2003.

• ,,Transport Corridor (TRACECA) and Georgia.“ Magazine of Politics. 6’ 2003.

• ,,The Role of the North Atlantic alliance (NATO) in Georgian Foreign policy.“ (Periodical Scientific Magazine Intellect).

3 (17) 2003.

• ,,An expansive Policy of USA towards China in 19-20 centuries.“ (Periodical Scientific Magazine Intellect). 3 (20) 2004.

• „FBI and INTERPOL -Establish, Collaboration, main Priorities.“ (Periodical Scientific Magazine Intellect). 3 (23) 2005.

• „The Role of the CIA in US foreign policy.“ (Periodical Scientific Magazine Historical Verticals). 2008 (14).

• „Geopolitical Role of the Black-sea Region in the World Politic.“ (Periodical Scientific Magazine Historical Verticals).

2008 (17).

• „US foreign Intelligence Strategy.“ (Periodical scientific Magazine of New and the newest issues of Georgian History); Scientific Institute of History and Ethnography named after Ivane Javakhishvili. 2009, 2 (6).

• „National Security Agency (NSA) of the USA (Black Room).“ (Periodical scientific Magazine of New and the newest issues of Georgian History); Scientific Institute of History and Ethnography named after Ivane Javakhishvili. 1 (7) 2010.

• „British special services (MI5-MI6).“ (Periodical scientific Magazine of New and the newest issues of Georgian History); Scientific Institute of History and Ethnography named after Ivane Javakhishvili. 2 (8) 2010.

• „Force diplomacy in American foreign policy Arsenal“. (Periodical scientific Magazine of New and the newest issues of Georgian History); Scientific Institute of History and Ethnography named after Ivane Javakhishvili. 1 (9) 2011. 5

• Tbilisi Open University, International Scientific Conference Journal. Article "OBOR Security Issues". #1. 2018

Published Books

• Historical and Political aspects of the Georgian foreign policy orientation. Tbilisi 2009.

• Role of the USA in the Georgian foreign policy. Tbilisi 2010.

• American and British special services. Tbilisi 2013

• Global Security. Tbilisi 2014

• US Foreign Policy Towards Georgia. Germany; Scholars’ Press. 2015

In 2014, Professor Tornike Shurgulaia Founded "Thomas Jefferson Research Centre". Th. Jefferson Research Center's partners are polish think tank "Ambitna Polska", Polish NGO "European Initiative" and 8 Georgian Universities. Th. Jefferson Research Center Provides Academic certified courses on US Political Thought, US History, US Foreign Policy, Global Security, MENA analysis, Cyber Security and on other strategic studies. Th. Jefferson Research Center provides consulting services. Tornike Shurgulaia is participant of the CRANS Montana Forum on Global Security in Geneva and ICD Berlin Forum on Global Security.

Over 10 years of experience as a Professor, Researcher, Public Speaker and Trainer. Field of expertise: Global Security, Intelligence and CI, U.S. Foreign Policy. Founder of the Th. Jefferson Research Center, Global Security Expert/Analyst at Ambitna Polska, Was National Security matter Expert/Analyst at the Political Party LELO For Georgia. Researcher at the Sokhumi State University Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Center. 2013 - 2014 - Provided trainings for Diplomats in Global Security at Diplomatic Training and Research Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Author of books on Intelligence, Global Security and Foreign Policy.

Knowledge in Intelligence and CI management. U.S. Department of State - Scholar Alumni on American Political Development at UMass, Amherst. Completed certificate courses: UN BSAFE, DOD-DCSA Counterintelligence Awareness, ODNI-NCSC - Special Security Officers Course-SSOC, U.S. DHS Counterterrorism, IED Awareness, Bomb threat Prevention, UN Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, Landmines Awareness course, Conflict Analysis course by US Institute of Peace, Risk Management and other courses provided by UN DSS, UN ODC, UN Peace Operations training Institute, UNODA, U.S. DOD-DCSA, U.S. DHS, Geneva DCAF, UK NaCTSO, UN IOM.

About Center

The main objectives of the Th. Jefferson Research center:

Thomas Jefferson Research Center specializes on US political thought and Institutions, Democracy, US-Georgian Relations and Global Security. Our main goal is to educate young Generation on these topics, raise political awareness and support their participation in political processes of the Country. For this purpose we provide public lectures, educational programs, Consulting, political research and analysis.

Academic Board

Simon Gureshidze - Head of the MENA Direction

1998-2002 - Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Bachelor, Applied Mathematics and

Computer Science. Applied Linguistics.

2002-2004 - Institute of Asia and Africa at Free University (Tbilisi), MA, Thesis: International Terrorism,

Field-International Relations (Oriental Studies).

2010- PhD student at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Field World History, PhD Thesis: Causes of

the Islamic radicalism after the "Arab Spring" on the example of Syria and Egypt.

Internships

2007 - One year Training course in Arabic language at Higher Institute of Languages at Aleppo University, Syria.

2005 – 2006 - Training course in Arabic language at Cairo University, Egypt. Training course in Arabic language and literature, “Wafidin School” at Arabic Language teaching center for foreigners, Egypt.

Work Experience

2011 – Still Research assistant in G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies at Ilia State University, Tbilisi (https://iliauni.edu.ge/en/).

2016 – Still Visiting Lecturer, Georgian-European Higher Education Institution. (http://geu.edu.ge/en/).

2016 – Still Visiting Lecturer, Georgian National University (SEU). (http://www.seu.edu.ge/en)

Publications

2018 - G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies., Collection-Near East and Georgia.

ISBN 978-9941-18-197-9, “Syrian Civil War, Key Players and Causes of Conflict”.

2018 - Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Collection of IV academic conference -“Politics Around Caucasus”, „Islamic Radicalism and Georgian Radical Movements-Comparative Analyses“-In English.

2018 - Collection of the fourth International Academic Conference dedicated to Georgia-Iran Political, Economic and Cultural Relations, “”Arab Spring” in Syria, From Hafiz to Bashar Al-Assad”.

2017 - Collection of the third International Academic Conference dedicated to Georgia-Iran Political, Economic and Cultural Relations, “Arab Spring” and The Third Wave of Islamic Radicalism.

2016 - Collection of the Second International Academic Conference dedicated to Georgia-Iran Political, Economic and Cultural Relations, “Arab Spring” and The Third Wave of Islamic Radicalism.

Electronic Journal “Modern Middle East”-G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental studies at Ilia State University, Tbilisi

2018 - “Extremism in Syria, Choice of Opposition or Combination of the Local Secret Services”, “Syrian Civil War and Key Players”.

2017 - “Middle East, drug trafficking and main actors”.

2016 - “Russian security services and global terrorist organizations”, “Jordanian Triangle”.

2015 - “Islamic State”, “Hezbollah and global terrorism”.

2014 - “Egypt’s next president and his new external-political vectors”.

2013 - “Situation in Egypt”, “Reflection of Israel-Arab conflict in Arabic and Jewish Press”, “Muslim Brothers and Copts”, “Taliban and “Big Game” in Afghanistan”, “Egypt on Crossroad”, “Libya after Muammar

Gaddafi”.

2012 - Journal “Army” of Ministry of Defense of Georgia. “What is the terrorism”, “Origins of terrorist activities in the Middle East”, “Revolutionary terrorism in Russia”, “Two assault on Pope John Paul II”.

2008 - G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies, Institute of Asia and Africa. Middle East and Georgia V, Tbilisi; “Terrorism in internet”.

Professional Certifications

- 2018 - Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, II International Symposium for Young Scholars in the Humanities.

- 2017 - Caucasus International University, The fifth international Student Conference for Bachelors, MA and Phd students dedicated to Georgia-Iran Political, Economic and Cultural Relations. The third International Academic Conference dedicated to Georgia-Iran Political, Economic and Cultural Relations.

- 2016 - Caucasus International University, The fourth international Student Conference for Bachelors, MA and Phd students dedicated to Georgia-Iran Political, Economic and Cultural Relations. The Second International Academic Conference dedicated to Georgia-Iran Political, Economic and Cultural Relations.

- 2015 - International Black Sea University Project was organized upon FSS students’ initiative and was about one of the most important challenges of modern world’s security – the rise of ISIS in the Middle East, more precisely in Syria, discussing current political changes and calculating prospect affects of the crisis in international scales.

Aleksandre Nadirashvili - Head of the Cyber and Information Security

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71069380_478086376380101_279175714501872

Konstantin Vekua - Head of the Peace Studies Direction

Education

- 2014-2019 – Tbilisi State University. Faculty of Humanities. PhD Thesis of the degree: „Political Dimension of Collective Intelligence“.

- 2007-2010 – University of Siena (Italy). “Philosophical Studies”. Master’s degree. Thesis of the degree: „National Identity and Public Communication“.

- 2002-2007 – University of Siena (Italy). “Philosophical Studies”. Bachelor's degree. Thesis of the degree: „Philosophical-political analysis of Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagite Works”

- 1999-2002 – Sukhumi State University, “History of Diplomacy and International Relations”, Bachelor's degree

Professional Experience and positions

- 2017-... – Tbilisi Open University. School of Social Sciences. Lecture course in: “The American Political System“, „The Georgian Political System”, “Political Ideologies”, “Political Philosophy of Peace”, “Public Administration”

- 2016-2017 – Georgian National University. Faculty of Humanitarian-Social Sciences. Lecture course: „Political Philosophy of Peace“.

- 2015-2016 – Tbilisi International Academy. Lecture course: „Political Philosophy“.

- 2015 - Georgian-American University. Co-founder of “Gandhi Institute”

- 2014-2015 – Georgian-American University. Law and Social Sciences School. Lecture course: “The American Political System“.

- 2010 - International Organization “Rondine-Citadel of Peace” (Italy). Internship in the Department of Media and Communication.

- 2009 – Philosophy Festival of Modena, Carpi, Sassuolo (Italy) Scholarship.

- 2003-2008 –Web journal “Echo”. Co-editor.

- 2005 - International Organization “Rondine-Citadel of Peace” (Italy). Organization of international conferences in philosophical, political and economic fields.

- 2002-2007 – International Organization “Rondine-Citadel of Peace” (Italy). Scholarship.

Scientific Activity Conferences

- 2018, 7-8 May – International Scientific conference on “Global Perspectives of One Belt One Road Initiative”. Conference theme: “EU and One Belt One Road Initiative from the Perspective of Peace Studies”.

- 2017, 8 December – International Conference on “Cultural dialogue and the role of the youth in peace processes”. Conference theme: Presentation of the project “The harvest of friendship”

- 2017, 21 October – International Scientific Conference on “Politics around the Caucasus”. Conference theme: “Peace as a Common Good and Democratic Models”.

Publications in Journals

Tbilisi Open University, International Scientific Conference Journal. Article: “EU and One Belt One Road Initiative from the Perspective of Peace Studies”, #1, May 7-8, 2018, pp. 4-12
Tbilisi State University, Institute for Georgia’s Neighborhood Studies, Proceedings of III International Scientific Conference on Politics around the Caucasus. Article: “Peace as a Common Good and Democratic Models”, University Press, #3, 2018, pp. 40-59

Vladimer Lagvilava - Board Member, MA in LAW

Zurab Gorgodze - Head of the International Relations office,

Fellow, BA in IR, MA in Intercultural Studies

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Nodar Abesadze - Fellow, Research Coordinator,

MA in Political Science

Research Fellow

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Shalva Berianidze - Research Fellow. MA in International Relations at Ilia

State University (Georgia). Bachelor's degree

in Journalism from the David Aghmashenebeli University of Georgia. Global Volunteer of AIESEC at

the high school of Cesenatico (Italy). Vice President of the Human Resources department within the world's

largest youth-run organization AIESEC in Georgia. Public Relations Specialist at The Ministry of Education and Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. Studied MA in International Relations at the University of Glasgow (UK), where he was Global Opportunities Ambassador for Visiting Student.