He is the leading author of the IDEA study, “Political Participation of Refugees: Bridging the Gaps” (April 2018) and was part of the writing team for International IDEA’s signature publication, "The Global State of Democracy". In addition, his portfolio includes examining the impact of migration waves on democratic institutions and processes.    

Armend has 15 years of experience working with international organizations and civil society in the United Kingdom and the Western Balkans, such as the OSCE, USAID and UNDP. He has also taken part in several collaborative research efforts bringing together researchers, practitioners and policymakers from various countries to cross examine issues of post-conflict securitization, political transformation of former combatants, and other societal impacts resulting from war to peace transition. Bekaj was also Adjunct Lecturer at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Kosovo in Pristina, where he taught courses on International Relations and Public Policy.

Education: 

PhD Candidate in Political Science at the University of Sheffield, Sheffield and Thessaloniki MA in Conflict Resolution at Peace Studies Department, University of Bradford BA in International Studies, University of Leeds