Gvantsa Gasviani
  • April 21, 2026

  • Gvantsa Gasviani, Global Studies

    • -----

For UC Irvine global studies Ph.D. student Gvantsa Gasviani, studying global issues has never been confined to the classroom. Her academic journey - beginning with her bachelor's in Tbilisi, Georgia followed by dual master's in Germany and Denmark - now informs her research at UC Irvine, where she examines the complicated experiences of Russian exiles living in Georgia through a distinctly transnational lens. Drawn to UC Irvine’s doctoral program in global studies for its interdisciplinary approach, Gasviani joined the inaugural cohort and is now preparing to defend her dissertation this May, having earned her master’s along the way. Her research has already resulted in three sole-authored journal articles - work she counts among her proudest accomplishments at UCI - alongside strong evaluations from students in discussion sections for which she has served as a teaching assistant. Below, Gasviani reflects on her time as an Anteater and what's next.

Q: What made you decide to pursue global studies as a field, and specifically at UCI? What interests you most about your work?

A: I chose global studies because of its strong interdisciplinary foundation and its commitment to examining global issues through multiple, overlapping perspectives. It allows me to move beyond a single framework and instead engage political, cultural, and social dimensions together, which is essential for understanding complex questions of power, identity, and migration.

I chose UCI specifically because it was a brand-new program, and I am part of its very first cohort, now among the first to graduate. I was also already familiar with the faculty and their work, and I knew I wanted to be in a space where I could learn from and work closely with scholars whose research I deeply respected.

Q: Tell us about your research. What problem will your findings help solve?

A: My research examines Russian exiles in Georgia as a form of migration produced by war, focusing on how they navigate belonging and masculinity under shifting political pressures. It shows how they are expected to demonstrate moral and political worth, yet still remain excluded.

My findings help explain how host societies respond to sudden population inflows and impose contradictory demands, offering insight into stigma, marginalization, and the limits of inclusion in conflict-driven contexts.

Q: Where can your work be found if someone wanted to learn more about your research? Any publications to point to?
A: My peer-reviewed journal articles include:

Gasviani, G. (2023). Post-Soviet Gender Regimes: Militarized Masculinities in the Making of the Russian–Ukrainian War. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, 18(1), 35–56. 
Gasviani, G. (2022). Inner Martyrdom: Deconstructing the Sacrificial Female Subject in Post-Soviet Georgia. Journal of Feminist Scholarship, 20, 19–32. 
Gasviani, G. (2019). The Role of the Soviet Past in Contemporary Georgia. Caucasus International, 9(1-2), 37–50.

Q: What organizations, foundations or others have funded your research while you’ve been at UCI? 

A: My research has been supported by several UC Irvine organizations, including multiple grants from the Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies (CGPACS) and the Center for Asian Studies. I am also a recipient of the Kugelman Research Fellowship from the Center for Citizen Peacebuilding.

Q: What are some of your proudest accomplishments while at UCI?

A: Some of my proudest accomplishments at UCI include publishing three peer-reviewed articles, conducting original ethnographic fieldwork in Georgia, and developing my dissertation on migration, gender, and media. I am also proud of the consistently positive feedback from my students, as teaching discussion sections has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my time at UCI.

Q: Who have been your faculty mentors while here, and what impact have they had on your graduate career?

A: My faculty mentor and dissertation chair has been global studies professor Long Bui, whose mentorship has been truly invaluable throughout my graduate career. His confidence in my abilities, intellectual guidance, and unwavering support have profoundly shaped both my dissertation and my development as a scholar. His mentorship continues to inspire the kind of academic I aspire to become.

Q: Any unique life experiences that have guided your educational journey? Give us some background.

A: As a “scholarship kid,” my educational journey has been shaped by the ability to fund my studies through merit-based support and the mentorship I received along the way. These opportunities allowed me to pursue graduate education across three different countries on two continents without financial burden. This experience not only made my academic path possible, but also reinforced my commitment to making education more accessible and meaningful for others.

Q: What are your post-Ph.D. plans? How has UCI prepared you well for this role?

A: After completing my Ph.D., I plan to pursue academic positions where I can continue both teaching and research. UCI has prepared me well for this path by providing rigorous interdisciplinary training, opportunities to publish and conduct original research, and extensive teaching experience that has strengthened my ability to engage and mentor students.

 

Related News Items

Archive

Connect with us: