Michaela is a researcher at START trained as a social scientist in the discipline of Geography. Her research focus involves topics pertaining to borders and their association to international violence, such as broad border theory, international state structure, nationalism, ethnic identity, identity-based conflict, and secession. Her regional expertise includes extensive research on and in the Balkan countries of Former Yugoslavia (especially Kosovo) and a broad knowledge base regarding other areas of Europe and Asia. She is a qualitative researcher who has experience in multiple interview methods, as well as surveys, landscape analysis, and observational analysis. Goals for her research have been to highlight and incorporate citizen perspectives in the analysis of ethnic tension and new state development and understand the impact state recognition has on identity-based conflict and post-conflict, socioeconomic redevelopment.
Background
- Kent State University, Ph.D. ABD, Geography, Current
- Kent State University, M.A., Geography, 2021
- Lock Haven University, B.A., International Studies and Political Science, 2018
- Researcher, START, 2024 - Current
- Lecturer, Kent State University, 2020 - 2024
START Projects/Courses
Wargaming Social Complexity & Asymmetric Warfare – Ethnography task lead for project management and in depth qualitative methods using comparative literature analysis, interviews, and observational analysis
Current and Emerging Malign Use of Geospatial Technologies to Threaten Critical Infrastructure and Crowded Targets – Qualitative researcher for interviewing and futures workshop planning and implementation
Climate Security in North & West Africa – Qualitative researcher for discourse analysis
Adapting to a Complex Future in the Arctic via Simulation and System Mapping – Qualitative researcher for project planning and interviews with different arctic stakeholders
Publications
Gawrys, Michaela. (2021). The Implications of Changing Border Structure: A Case Study in Kosovo. Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Kent State University. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center.
Gawrys, M. & Nesbitt, T. (2020). “Understanding geography through international experiences: a student perspective,” in Human Geography and Professional Mobility: International Experiences, Critical Reflections, Practical Insights, edited by Weronika A. Kusek & Nicholas Wise. Routledge, 151-157.