My research focuses on Central and Eastern Europe, with particular attention given to Romania, Hungary, and Germany. Primarily, my work is on populism and nationalism. I examine how political actors define national belonging, claim to represent particular populations, and present communities as being under threat. Alongside this, I study health politics, particularly its relationship with populism and the radical right. My work draws primarily on political sociology and political science.

My doctoral research examined medical populism in Romania during the COVID-19 pandemic. I explored how political actors responded to public concerns about healthcare, challenged or defended medical expertise, and used conspiracy claims to explain the pandemic and its management. Building on this and my research on irredentism and nation-building, I am developing projects on minority representation, kin-state politics and competing claims to protect communities in Transylvania.

I take a qualitative approach to research, using thematic analysis, framing analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis to examine political communication in its social and institutional context. I am particularly interested in how political actors construct problems, assign responsibility and justify their claims to speak for others.

I am an experienced Post-Graduate Teaching Assistant, having taught on four separate modules, including two of the modules in consecutive years. 

• BASC0011 - Migration and Health (Sept 2024 - Jan 2025 ; 2026)

• SESS0017 - Understanding Politics II: How Politics Works (Jan 2025 - March 2025 ; 2026) 

• SESS0033 - Comparative Political Analysis (Sept 2025 - Jan 2026)

• SESS0014 - Introduction to Political Sociology (Jan 2026 - March 2026)

In addition to being PGTA on the above modules, I have guest lectured for Migration and Health on the links between Corruption, Informality, and Health. I have also featured in a workshop for SESS0106 - Romania and Moldova, presenting on expressions of irredentism in Romania.