Dr Magsud Mammadov

Dr. Magsud Mammadov has a keen interest in identity politics, nation branding, smart power, small state foreign policy, energy geopolitics, politics of R&D and Innovation. As a Research Associate at the Centre for Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus, he will be looking into socio-political dimension of R&D initiatives in Science and Technology, and geopolitics of fostering Innovation culture in the post-Soviet states.

He holds a bachelor degree in Political Science from Texas State University (USA), a master degree in International Energy Politics/Conflict Resolution from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University (Italy/USA), and an executive education from National University of Singapore (Singapore). Dr. Mammadov’s PhD thesis at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (UK) was defended on Selfie at International Politics: Ontological Insecurity, Roles and Nation Branding in the Post-Soviet Space, which examines how a state wield smart power as a core part of its foreign policy through role playing and branding for psychological needs, including collective self-esteem, recognition and self-validation.

Dr. Mammadov’s professional portfolio includes a variety of positions in both public and private sector – including at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), The US House of Representatives, the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy in USA, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in UAE, the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Company (TANAP), and SOCAR Turkey Research & Development and Innovation Co in Istanbul, Turkey.

Identity politics, nation branding, smart power, small state foreign policy, energy geopolitics, politics of R&D and Innovation.