Staff

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARTAN HAJDARI, Chairman of the Board 

Mr. Hajdari began his legal career in 1991 and became a founding name partner of Haxhia & Hajdari Attorneys at Law in 1998, the same year he was admitted to the Albanian Bar Association. He holds a Law degree from the University of Tirana, a Master’s degree in European Depth Studies (2005), and a PhD in Law (2019) with a specialization in corporate governance and civil law. With over a decade of service in the judiciary, he has served as Judge, President of the Tirana District Court and Court of Appeal, and Head of the Vlora Court of Appeal. He also held the position of Deputy Minister of Justice, contributing to national legal administration and policy development.

 

AMBASSADOR VALTER IBRAHIMI

Valter Ibrahimi is a career diplomat who joined the Albanian Foreign Service in December 1992. Since then, he has served in various diplomatic positions at home and abroad, including the Resident Ambassador of Albania to Austria and Germany, as well as the Non-resident Ambassador to Slovenia. In the years 2014-2019 and 2022-2024, Mr. Ibrahimi has served as Diplomatic Adviser to the last three consecutive Presidents of the Republic. Mr. Ibrahimi has also been Director for European Union and active member of the Albanian negotiating team for the Stabilization and Association Agreement and the Readmission Agreement with the European Community. Valter Ibrahimi is awarded in 2017 by the President of the Republic of Albania with the Title “The Knight of the Order of Scanderbeg”, and in 2015 by the Prince and Grand Master and the Council of the Sovereign Order of Malta with the Title “Commendatore pro Merito Melitensi”.

 

VALENTINA LESKAJ

Valentina Leskaj served as a Member of the Albanian Parliament from 2002 to 2017, including as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and Chair of key parliamentary commissions. Internationally, she was Deputy Chair of the EU–Albania Inter-Parliamentary Committee, Head of the Albanian Delegation to the Council of Europe, Rapporteur for Moldova, and Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as Chair of the CEI Parliamentary Committee on Education, Culture and Media. She lectured in Political Economy at the University of Tirana, co-founded civic initiatives, and was Editor-in-Chief of Shqiptarja e re. She is currently a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Albania, serves on the boards of the International Coalition Combating Anti-Semitism Movement and the Albanian Institute for International Studies, and is founder of the Albanian Center for Population and Development and Vice President of the UNESCO Center for Women and Peace in the Balkan Countries.

 

REMZI LANI, Board Member

Remzi Lani is Executive Director of the Albanian Media Institute and founder and first president of the South East Network of Media Centers and Media Institutes, which brings together media organizations across the region. He has had a long career in journalism and has written extensively on Balkan affairs for a wide range of local and international publications. He is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and of the Board of WAN-IFRA, and has been engaged internationally on issues of media freedom and media development. His professional work has also included teaching, advisory roles, and expert contributions in Southeast Europe and beyond.

 

PROF. TEUTA STAROVA, Board Member

Dr. Teuta Starova is a scholar and lecturer with a background in philosophy, law, and sociology. She earned her doctorate at the University of Tirana in 1993 and has focused her academic work on sociological research, with publications in Albanian and international scholarly journals. She has contributed to national and international research projects and to expert reports for organizations including UNDP, the Council of Europe, and the World Bank. Her professional experience also includes diplomatic service at the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in the United Kingdom, where she served as counsellor and later as Chargé d’Affaires.

 

STAFF

 

ALBERT RAKIPI,  PhD, Chairman of the Albanian Institute for International Studies

Albert Rakipi currently serves as Chairman of the Albanian Institute for International Studies. He has received a PhD in International Relations from Bilkent University. Before assuming this position, he had previously served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania and was a career diplomat. Dr. Rakipi also taught as a part-time professor at Tirana University, Faculty of History and Philology and as a guest lecturer at other universities in Albania and abroad, including the NATO Defense College in Rome, the London School of Economics, and the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) in which he was awarded Honorary Professorship. Since April 2023, he is the Representative of AIIS to the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). He is the Founder and Editor of the Albanian Journal of International Relations and Foreign Policy issues “Tirana Observatory”. He is also co-founder and co-editor of Tirana Times a weekly English Newspaper published in Tirana. Additionally, he is co-editor  of “Europa”, a monthly newspaper published in Tirana.

 

ALBA ÇELA, Executive Director and Head of the European Program at the Albanian Institute for International Studies

Alba Cela holds a B.A in Political Science/ International relations from the American University in Bulgaria (magna cum laude) as well as an M. A in Nationalism Studies from the Central European University (with Distinction) in Budapest. She has been a recipient of the John Gunn scholarship at the University of Washington and Lee in Virginia. Alba’s main areas of research are: democratization, political parties, national identity and European integration. She has also taught as an associate professor of political science and economics at two private universities in Tirana. Her latest publication is entitled “Ghost political parties and the deformation of democracy: the case of Albania and the region”. Additionally, Alba participates as an independent expert in research, monitoring & evaluation and advocacy projects for several international donors and organizations such as OSFA/ FES/ BIRN etc.

 

DR. ARBEN RAMKAJ, Researcher 

Arben Ramkaj is a specialist in security and religious affairs with extensive experience in interfaith dialogue and civil society engagement. He completed his theological studies at the University of Kuwait and later obtained both his Master’s and Doctorate in International Relations from the International University of Struga. Over the past decade, he has played a central role in promoting inter-religious cooperation in Albania and the broader region, initiating and leading several national and international institutions dedicated to dialogue and tolerance. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Institute of Inter-Religious Studies and President of the Inter-Religious Center of Elbasan, while also representing regional initiatives such as the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace in the Balkans. 

 

GJON RAKIPI, Researcher 

Gjon Rakipi serves as a Project Manager and Researcher at the Albanian Institute for International Studies, where he oversees complex projects and coordinates strategic activities with internal and external partners. Drawing on his background in rigorous scientific research, he specializes in synthesizing complex information to produce actionable insights and evidence-based proposals for funding and development. His professional expertise extends to business development and sustainable practices, supported by his experience founding the P.L.A.N.T. foundation and analyzing markets for the Tirana Times. Gjon combines creative problem solving with strong strategic thinking to drive organizational growth and deliver timely results. He is also fluent in English, Albanian, and Italian, facilitating effective engagement with diverse international stakeholders. 

 

NORA AHMETI, Research Assistant

Nora Ahmeti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Economics and Sociology as well as in English and American Studies from Ruhr-Universität Bochum. She previously completed an internship at the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Bonn, supporting the development of monitoring instruments and the evaluation of qualitative data. Her  professional background also includes experience in educational institutions, civil society  settings, and private-sector environments, where she assumed organizational responsibility  and coordinated day-to-day processes. As Project Assistant she supports project coordination, contributes to research outputs and assists with reporting and donor communication.  

 

DR. RUDINA COLLAKU, Researcher

Rudina Çollaku is the Founder and Executive Director of the Woman Center for Development and Culture Albania, where she has worked since 2010 on peacebuilding, community development, and the promotion of women’s role in security and prevention efforts. She is also a part-time lecturer at Aleksandër Xhuvani University and a PhD candidate at the University of Bari Aldo Moro. Her work focuses on human rights advocacy, youth and women’s empowerment, and the role of women in preventing violent extremism. She also holds leadership roles in civil society and interreligious initiatives in Albania, including with institutions based in Elbasan and Tirana.

Library 

SABRINA HOTAJ

Sabrina Hotaj completed her studies in Graphic Design at Albania University in Tirana (2021-2024), where she developed a strong foundation in design principles. She gained practical experience at Publishing House Toena, designing book covers, layouts and marketing materials while managing projects from concept to final production. Previously, she worked as a Social Media Manager at Della Casa, where she was responsible for strategy development, content creation, campaign management, and community engagement. Currently works with us in the Tirana Times library and café, contributing to daily operations and customer service. 

 

ERVIN CARKA, Librarian

 

SENIOR ASSOCIATE FELLOWS and RESEARCHERS

PROF. NIKOLLA PANO, Honorary Senior Fellow

Nikolla (Nicholas C.) Pano is Professor and Dean Emeritus at Western Illinois University, where he specialized in the history, politics and international relations of Albania. He stduied at Tufts, Johns Hopkins and Northwestern University, and is widely recognized as one of the leading Albanian-American scholars in the field. His best-known work is The People’s Republic of Albania (Johns Hopkins Press, 1968), alongside numerous articles, book chapters and scholarly papers on Albanian affairs. He has also remained active in Albanian studies and public intellectual life through editorial, academic and diaspora-related contributions.

 

PROF. BERND FISCHER, Honorary Senior Fellow

PROF. ARIAN STAROVA, Senior Associate Fellow

Arian Starova is President of the Atlantic Council of Albania and a prominent figure in the country’s foreign and security policy community. Holding a PhD with academic training in philosophy and law, as well as advanced studies at the George C. Marshall Center and the Harvard Kennedy School, he combines scholarly expertise with extensive public service experience. He has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Defense, and Member of the Albanian Parliament during key years of Albania’s political transition. He is also a Senior Advisor and Advisory Board member of the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) and the author of several books and numerous publications on Albanian politics and regional security.

 

GENC POLLO, Senior Research Fellow

Genc Pollo holds a degree in history from the University of Tirana and completed postgraduate studies at the University of Vienna. He has served as a Member of Parliament, Minister of Education and Science, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Innovation and Information Technology, and has chaired parliamentary committees on foreign affairs, European integration, education, and media. He has expertise in European integration, foreign policy, and education. Since 1994, he has been the founder and president of Paneuropa Albania. In 2015, Dr. Pollo joined the AIIS.

 

PROF. SOKOL LLESHI, Senior Associate Researcher

Professor Lleshi obtained his PhD in political science at the Central European University in 2015. Currently, he is an assistant professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of New York Tirana and Chair of the European Research Center at the same university. His research focuses on political and cultural elites, post-communist memory politics, and interaction effects between external norm diffusion and foreign policy of local elites in the Western Balkans.  

 

ENIKA ABAZI, Senior Associate Researcher 

Prof. Dr. Enika Abazi is the Director of the Center for Coordination of Scientific Research and Projects at the Academy of Sciences of Albania and an adjunct professor at the University of Lille in France. She has held academic and research positions at institutions including the Paris Peace Research Institute, Copenhagen Peace Research Institute, Sciences Po Rennes, the University of Pisa, and the National University Institute in France. Her expertise lies in international relations, critical security studies, and conflict analysis, with a focus on Southeast Europe, European enlargement, and regional stability. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals and edited volumes.

 

DR. INES STASA, Senior Associate Researcher

Dr. Ines Stasa is a political scientist and part-time lecturer at the University of Tirana's Faculty of Social Sciences and Institute for European Studies. She serves on the Scientific Council of the Institute for the Study of Communist Crimes and Consequences. She earned a Master of Science in International Relations from Leeds Beckett University in the UK and a PhD in Political Science and International Relations (with high honors) from Epoka University.
Her doctoral dissertation provides an original and comprehensive analysis of transitional justice in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, emphasizing post-authoritarian legacies and regional approaches to justice and reconciliation. Dr. Stasa has also disseminated and published her research on transitional justice, democratization, and gender justice through various academic and policy channels.
She has participated in multiple international executive programs, including the Leadership Academy for Development at Stanford University and the Executive Education in Emerging Leaders at the Harvard Kennedy School.  Her most recent monograph, 'Transitional Justice in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia: A Comparative Framework Analysis,' was published by Springer and distributed globally.

 

JORDAN JORGJI, Senior Associate Researcher

Jordan Jorgji pursued his postgraduate studies in Athens, Greece. He graduated in Political Science and Public Administration from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in International and European Studies. At Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (Athens), he completed a Master of Arts in International Relations and Strategic Studies, as well as his PhD with the dissertation: “Security and the foreign policy of small states during the Cold War: the role of Albanian foreign policy in China’s ‘entry’ into the United Nations in 1971.” To further deepen his expertise in regional politics, he carried out post-doctoral research at the Department of Political Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with the project “Contemporary Greek–Albanian Relations.” Since 2015, he has been a Lecturer in European and International Politics at “Fan S. Noli” University in Korçë (Department of Social Sciences), where he teaches courses on the European Union, Political Ideologies, and Comparative Analysis.

 

AMBASSADOR GAZMEND TURDIU, Senior Associate Researcher

Gazmend Turdiu is a diplomat and former senior government official with extensive experience in foreign affairs and international representation. Trained as a civil engineer at the University of Tirana, he went on to serve as Ambassador of Albania to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany, and held several senior posts in the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Director General and Secretary General. His career has focused in particular on Euro-Atlantic, European, and international cooperation issues, including work related to NATO, the EU, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe. He has also served as diplomatic adviser to the Minister of Defence and as Director for Economic Cooperation.

 

DR. SYLE UKSHINI,  Senior Associate Researcher

Sylë Ukshini is an Associate Researcher at the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS). He is a Professor of History and International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences, “Kadri Zeka” Public University in Gjilan, Kosovo. He has also served as Head of Mission at the Embassy of Kosovo in Albania. He holds a PhD in European Integration from the University of Bremen, Germany, and a PhD in History from the University of Tirana. His academic and research interests focus on European integration, the EU’s foreign and security policy, Kosovo, and Southeastern Europe.Dr. Ukshini is the author of numerous scholarly publications in local, regional, and international academic journals. In 2021, he published in Germany with LIT Verlag the book “Die Kosovo-Frage als Herausforderung der Gemeinsamen Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik (GASP) der EU”.

 

ALBERT DOJA, Senior Associate Researcher

Albert Doja is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lille and an Ordinary Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Albania, where he holds the first Chair of anthropology. He received his PhD in Social Anthropology from the EHESS in Paris and later earned his habilitation in sociology and anthropology from Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne. Over the course of his career, he has held academic and research positions in France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Albania, including appointments at Harvard University and University College London. His work focuses on political anthropology, identity, religion, power, and social transformation, and he has published extensively in international academic journals.

 

ASSOCIATED RESEARCHERS

DR. ILIR HARASANI, Associate Researcher

Ilir Harasani is a legal professional with a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Pristina. He further specialized in European human rights protection at the European University Viadrina in Germany and in EU legal solidarity at the University of Pisa in Italy. He has held senior positions in public administration in Montenegro, including Director of the Administration for Inspection Affairs and Deputy Secretary General of the Government of Montenegro. His professional experience includes work in municipal administration, legal practice, human resources management, and participation in legislative and institutional reforms. He is fluent in Serbian and English and actively engaged in governance, public sector reform, and European integration processes.

 

LUTFI DERVISHI, Associate Researcher, Media Expert

Lutfi Dervishi is an Albanian journalist, communication expert and lecturer with over three decades of experience in media, public affairs and political analysis. He teaches investigative journalism and media ethics, working closely with young reporters through training and mentoring programs. His work focuses on governance, accountability, media development and the impact of new information technologies on democratic processes. Dervishi has contributed to regional and international forums on security, EU integration and strategic communication, and is a frequent commentator on political and institutional developments in Albania and the Western Balkans.

 

MAHIR XHAFA, Associate Researcher

Mahir Xhafa holds a Master of Science in International Relations from the University of Tirana’s Institute of European Studies and completed earlier studies in Public Relations at Cairo University and Al-Az’har University in Egypt. He has built a professional profile combining translation, marketing and diplomatic service. From 2006 to 2011, he worked as a translator at the Police Research Academy in Cairo and in the marketing department of an American furniture company. He is also translator certified by the Albanian Ministry of Justice. Since 2011, he has been serving at the Embassy of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Albania as an interpreter and public relations officer, preparing reports in Arabic and English and supporting administrative functions.

 

ANDI BALLA, Associate Researcher

Andi Balla is a doctoral researcher at the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS) in Regensburg, Germany. His research focuses on demographic issues, primarily migration, fertility and aging. He comes to this research field after a career as a journalist and media development expert in Albania, Canada and the United States. A PhD candidate at the University of Regensburg's Graduate School for East and Southeast European Studies, he also holds an M.Sc. from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and a B.Sc. from the University of Wyoming.

 

MARIA DOJÇE, University of Korca

Dr. Maria Dojçe is a Professor of Sociology at University of “Fan S. Noli” in Korca. Her research and teaching focus on the sociology of culture and minority issues, exploring themes of identity, diversity, and social inclusion in contemporary society. She has contributed to the field through a range of academic publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers addressing cultural dynamics and minority rights. Her work has been presented at national and international conferences, reflecting her active engagement in scholarly discourse. She has been a long-term collaborator with Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS), contributing to research and academic initiatives. She is committed to advancing academic dialogue and fostering inclusive perspectives in higher education.

 

DR. MEHMET KALISI, Associate Researcher

 

SUCCESS STORIES

Since its establishment, the Albanian Institute for International Studies has served as a center for excellence and as a starting point for boosting one's career. The following list of former AIIS staff members are a good example of the Institute's aim to enrich the academic and researcher's community in Albania and to encourage excellence in this field. 

 

Adela Halo - Currently PhD in Political Studies at the Queen Mary University, London. Former Lead Researcher for National Integrity System Assessment

 

Aldo Bumçi - Former Deputy Director of the Albanian Institute for International Studies and former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Currently DP MP in the Albanian Assembly. 

 

Blerta Hoxha - Currently Political Adviser at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. 

 

Dr. Diana Gellci - Anthropology instructor at Wayne County Community College, U.S. 

 

Dorarta Hyseni - Currently works for the European Union Delegation in Albania, Political Section

 

Elda Dakli - Currently working on Market Research at ACCES Employment, Canada

 

Eno Trimçev - Former Executive Director of the Albanian Institute for International Studies. Currently Visiting Lecturer at Leuphana Universitat Luneburg. 

 

Edith Harxhi - Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Currently Executive Director of the Albanian Policy Center. 

 

Edlira Majko - Currently Program Coordinator for the Roma Initiatives Office, Open Society Foundation, Budapest. 

 

Elena Shomos - Currently MSc Candidate at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, International Relations. 

 

Enfrid Islami - Currently Qualitative Researcher at IDRA Research and Development. 

 

Klementin Mile - Currently lecturer at the European University of Tirana. 

 

Lublin Dilja - Former Ambassador of Albania to the United States, Former Ambassador of Albania to the United Nations. 

 

Maklen Misha - Former Adviser at the Prime Minister's Office. 

 

Marsida Gjonçaj - Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer at the British Embassy in Tirana. 

 

Odeta Barbullushi - Advisor to the Prime Minister of Albania and National Coordinator for Regional Economic Area; Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs 

 

Sabina Ymeri - Former Deputy Director at Albanian Institute for International Studies