New PhD Student at the Department

Presentation of Ida Braad Albek

Ida Braad Albek Photo: Søren Braad Andersen
Ida Braad Albek Photo: Søren Braad Andersen

Hi everyone!

My name is Ida and I started as a new PhD student in the IR section on February 1st. I hold a BA and MA in political science from Aarhus University, so I know life inside the yellow walls quite well and I am excited to have made the move across Bartolins Allé.

My project aims to investigate how international pressure affects states’ human rights records. International organisations and NGOs spend considerable time and resources on publicising human rights abuses and trying to pressure states to stop human rights violations. However, there is mixed empirical support for this approach, and I aim to investigate whether these efforts are effective in changing behaviour and what domestic and international factors might make international pressure more or less effective. My supervisors are Jakob Tolstrup and Thomas Olesen.

I have recently returned from an internship with the Danish representation to the Council of Europe which in part has helped inform my project and my interest in human rights more generally as well as the Council of Europe itself. More broadly my research interests include the internal dynamics of autocratic regimes, democratic backsliding, and states of emergency.

When I’m not working (or living in a tiny French apartment with no kitchen) I enjoy cooking and baking as well as hiking. If you want to chat about the importance of the sadly often overlooked Council of Europe, human rights more generally or the merits of sourdough bread you can find me in my office 1332-223.

I am looking forward to meeting you all. 

All the best,
Ida