Security and Defense Working Group

The aim of the EST Working Group on Security and Defence is to provide analyses on past and present issues that have a relevant role in shaping security policies across Europe and more in general the Atlantic Allies at multiple levels. In other words, our strategy is to understand what security and defence challenges the EU is facing, and how it positions itself on these issues. Therefore, the Working Group studies the European security regime and its relations with NATO as well as several aspects of European foreign policy, such as EU external missions or relations with other states. All in all, giving voice to young researchers and engaging with the views of the youth in Europe is also a central objective. We seek to present research in a way that is informative for younger audiences and also expresses the views of the youth to policymakers. Lastly, we will collaborate with  other EST Working Groups to produce research and organise events  (seminar, webinar, podcast, Q&A).  

Head of the Working Group – Elizaveta Barabanova

Elizaveta obtained her Bachelor’s degree in International relations from Saint Petersburg State University and her Master’s degree in Global Politics and Society from the University of Milan. For several years, her main area of expertise has been international conflict management, and she has produced several research papers on systemic analysis of conflicts and multilateral peacebuilding initiatives, additionally expanding her experience as a policy analyst for Istituto Analisi Relazioni Internazionali. Elizaveta is keen on applied policy analysis and has conducted research for UNOOSA and UNODC as part of the Forum of Young Internationalists. She possesses extensive experience in the organization of international events, which she acquired during her work at SDA Bocconi, EIT-Manufacturing, and the Scientific Society at Saint Petersburg University.

Agata Bidas – Deputy

Agata Bidas is a law graduate from the University of Warsaw and a current master’s student in Development Studies at the University of Vienna. Passionate about international law and international relations, her research interests focus on crucial issues such as international security, CFSP, climate policies as well as human rights and the rule of law. Additionally, Agata is an active member of the International Community NGO based in Vienna, where she promotes youth education on international politics. She organizes numerous events such as Model United Nations focusing on critical topics, aiming to foster informed discussions and awareness among young individuals.

Nikita Pia Jensen

Nikita is originally from Germany and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies in Dublin, Ireland. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Freiburg, where she developed a strong interest in the historical perspectives on conflict.
Nikita is currently a Regional Expert for the Model NATO Germany Simulation, where she helps organise the event by developing realistic crisis scenarios, including a cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Defence. Her academic and professional interests focus on Arctic Security, Peace Processes, and the role of Gender in Security and Foreign Policy.

Previously, she also served as the EST’s Ambassador to Germany.

Céline Paré

Céline Paré is a Blue Book Trainee at the European External Action Service, where she works on conflict prevention and mediation. Her interests are in the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts and security crises, particularly in the Great Lakes and Sahel regions. She has worked previously at the Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights, where she contributed to the development of the Feminist Roadmap on Sustainable Peace and Planet, a comprehensive set of policy recommendations for governments and multilateral organisations on approaching post-war political and economic processes in a gender-just, sustainable way. Céline holds an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics, an MA in International Governance and Diplomacy from Sciences Po Paris and a BA in International Relations from Amsterdam University College. Originally from France, she has lived in Vietnam for seven years and the Netherlands for three.

Ozan Koyas

Ozan A. Koyas originally hails from Istanbul, Turkey but he is also of French and British nationalities. He is currently undertaking a BSc Politics and International Relations at University College London. He is thinking of moving into a masters in security, international relations and geopolitical risk. His primary interests lie in mitigating political risk, exploring the EU defense and cyber structure, and understanding the shortcomings of EU foreign policy. Outside of Europe, he is trying to specialise in Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and the Sahel. He has experience working in nuanced political and academic writing, and risk analysis at numerous organisations.

Aryaman Srivastava

Aryaman Srivastava is a second-year undergraduate student reading BSc Politics and International Relations at University College London (UCL). He has a keen interest in analysing and writing on geopolitical tensions, especially in relation to rising right-wing populism in Europe. He is also interested in exploring the intersection of the security landscape with development concerns in Eastern Europe.

Aryaman has authored a peer-reviewed research paper on good coups and democratic resilience in Western Africa through a case study analysis of Ghana and Mali and formerly interned at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Westminster. He is also a Senior Editor at Global Weekly and the Editing and Approvals Coordinator at Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD).

 
 
 

Sabina Kulueva

Sabina Kulueva holds a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Kazan Federal University and has recently completed her Master’s degree in International Relations at Bremen Universität and Constructor (formerly Jacobs) University. During her academic studies, she completed internships and worked as a research assistant on various projects in Lebanon and Germany. Sabina’s primary research interests include the study of armed conflicts and the factors that lead to their extension or contribute to the peacebuilding process. For example, since 2021, she has been engaged in research on an intrastate armed conflict between Türkiye and the PKK at the international project “Conflict Barometer,” launched by the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research. She is fluent in Tatar, Russian, English, and Turkish and is currently learning German. In October 2024, she joined ETS as a researcher in the Security & Defense Working Group.