Stella Blumfelde - PhD Candidate, University of Genova

Stella Blumfelde

PhD Candidate in Security and Strategic Studies

ABOUT ME

I am a 2nd year PhD Candidate at the University of Genova (one of the most beautiful cities of Italy...and Europe) in Security and Strategic Studies.

My current research deals with the concept of security governance within IR and the possible theoretical and empirical application of these concepts to cybersecurity governance by international and regional intergovernmental organizations. Typically, cyber studies have been clustered around state-centered and normative approaches to cybersecurity governance. In this context, I ought to focus my study of the role of IOs and IGOs in international cybersecurity provision through a comparative, multi-case research and a mixed method approach of qualitative and text as data analysis.

My broader research interests include cyber governance, deterrence, threat perception and securitization.

Alternative bio

I was born and raised in the city with one of the most important NATO air force bases - Lielvarde, Latvia, hence naturally acquiring an interest towards strategic and security studies.

How did I end up in Italy? During my BA in the University of Latvia I took up two different ERASMUS semesters at the University of Genoa. The mixture of supportive and creative academic environment, and history, views and food of Ligurian region got me hooked and I never looked back.

Stereotypical multilingual European? I am a native speaker of Latvian. Additionally I am fluent in English, Russian and Italian. Beginner in German.

What is my life outside the academia? Parallel to high school, I took part in national level competitions in javelin and shot-put. I also have graduated from a music school majoring in flute and piano playing. I still enjoy different sport activities and playing instruments. Nowadays I am a self-proclaimed amateur photographer and painter, and a museum junkie.