Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Global Democratic Change (GDC)

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Objectives:

The Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Global Democratic Change (GDC), established in October 2016 within Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), aims to provide a forum for those TUFS-based/affiliated faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and advanced graduate students who use English as their primary working language for their publications and academic exchange. In addition to running this website, GDC organizes regular workshops and hosts occasional lecture series.

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Director:

Yasuyuki Matsunaga, Professor, Institute of Global Studies, TUFS

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Research Assistants:

Sofia Huerta, RA, Institute of Global Studies, and PhD student, Graduate School of Global Studies, TUFS

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Visiting Research Fellows and Associates:

Sohrab Ahmadian (JSPS Post-Doctorate Fellow: April 2025 - ; Visiting Research Fellow: May 2023 - March 2025)

Makiko Nambu, a TUFS PhD and Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Global Studies

Ian Karusigarira, a TUFS PhD and Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Global Studies

Vakkas ?olak, TUFS Adjunct Lecturer, and Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Global Studies

Udeni Appuhamilage, TUFS Adjunct Lecturer, and Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Global Stuides

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Faculty Associates:

Masato Iizuka, Professor, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa

Hiroyuki Aoyama, Professor, Graduate School of Global Studies

Makiko Sakai, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Global Studies

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External Associates:

Umut Azak, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Okan University, Istanbul, Turkey

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Former Research Associates:

Mostafa Khalili (Visiting Research Fellow, January-March 2023), Assistant Professor, Kyoto University

Khalil Dahbi, a TUFS PhD and former Adjunct Lecturer, Graduate School of Global Studies; currently Research Fellow, GIGA, Germany

Aiko Nishikida, Professor, Department of Political Science, Keio University; formerly, Associate Professor, ILCAA, TUFS

Yusuke Inenaga, former Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Global Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Yumi Nakayama, former Associate Professor, Graduate School of Global Studies, TUFS; currently with Aoyama Gakuin University

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[The above GDC staff ogranization was last updated on April 15, 2025.]