Politologija journal (English edition) https://www.zurnalai.vu.lt/politologija/en published by Vilnius University Press.
Deadline for proposals: March 16, 2026
Guest editors:
Dr Tatsiana Chulitskaya, Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University tatsiana.chulitskaya@tspmi.vu.lt
Dr Alesia Rudnik, Södertörn University, alesia.rudnik@sh.se
Over recent years, Belarus has undergone profound political transformation. The mass protests of 2020 marked a critical moment, highlighting unprecedented mobilisation and resistance to entrenched authoritarian rule. In their aftermath, however, the Lukashenka regime consolidated power through extensive repression, leading to an unprecedented number of political prisoners and large-scale emigration. Exiled opposition actors, together with civil society organisations and independent media, have (re-)established themselves abroad in an effort to influence developments in Belarus, while sizeable diasporic communities emerged, particularly in Poland and Lithuania.
Belarusian authorities’ support for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 fundamentally reshaped perceptions of Belarus and Belarusians abroad. The country’s earlier image as a site of exceptional protest mobilisation was eclipsed by its role as a co-aggressor, altering relations between host societies and Belarusian diasporas. More recent geopolitical shifts, driven by shifting U.S. foreign policy, have led to further developments, including the release of some Belarusian political prisoners. Nevertheless, repression within Belarus persists, although the society has adapted to its continued presence.
Against this backdrop, this special issue invites scholarly assessments of the transformation of the Belarusian state, society, and diaspora under sustained repression and an evolving geopolitical context.
The special issue is planned for publication in December 2026 in the peer-reviewed Lithuanian political science journal Politologija (English edition).
Proposals for the special issue should include the following:
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a one-page summary in English of the proposed paper for publication in Politologija. It should convincingly demonstrate how the proposed paper fits the theme of the special issue, as well as to outline the key argument of the paper along with its novelty and main methods (it should be an original paper not published elsewhere). The editors of the special issue welcome contributions from all disciplines and theoretical perspectives, provided that the papers fit within the thematic scope of the special issue.
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the names and affiliations of all contributing authors.
The proposals should be sent to the emails of the guest editors:
tatsiana.chulitskaya@tspmi.vu.lt
The proposals for the special issue will be evaluated by the guest editors of the special issue and editors will inform about their decision by March 30, 2026.
The contributing authors of the accepted papers must submit their papers by June 1, 2026. The guest editors of the special issue will offer guidance and support to the contributing authors, including a draft introductory editorial. Each paper for the special issue will undergo double-blind peer review. Further information on author guidelines for accepted papers submissions may be found here: https://www.journals.vu.lt/politologija/about/submissions.
If you have any further questions, please contact guest editors via emails: