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
Mostafa Khalili, Assitant Professor, Institute of Language and Culture of Aisa and Africa, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (October 2025-the present); formerly assistant professor, Kyoto University (April 2023-September 2025), visiting research fellow, TUFS (January-March 2023)
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:
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 October 15, 2025.]
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