Social Theories, Strategies, and Prognosis

Department “Social Theories, Strategies and Prognoses” is the only research unit within the system of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with a clear orientation to Futures Studies in its activities, and with the expertise to offer prognostic analyses. The Department focuses its efforts on grasping the general characteristics of contemporary societies, their dynamics and evolution; on elaborating normative and exploratory prognoses, and risk analyses; and on examining the perspectives revealed by digital technologies, artificial intelligence and synthetic biology.

The researchers work on topical problems for Bulgaria, Europe and the world, that are generated by new ideas, technologies, socio-economic, environmental, geopolitical, ethno-religious and cultural challenges.

The unit conducts interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary studies in the following research areas:

Social Philosophy
Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
Geopolitics and Security Studies
Media, Culture and Education
Philosophy of Economics and Law

An adjunct Problem group on “Religion and Security” (philosophy of religion and social transformations) functions within the Department and is being led by Prof. Bogdana Todorova, DSc. In the last few years, the work of the group has been devoted to traditional religions (various Christian denominations and Islam) in Europe, the Black Sea region and Central Asia; to the role and participation of religions in social transformations; and to the future of religion.

The researchers from the Department are high level experts, recognized both at home and abroad, which is evident in their various publications, specializations, participation in prestigious international fora, research projects, and membership in national and international research networks (MILEMIUM PROJECT, Network of Excellence: Religion on the Balkans).

The members of the unit have long lasting experience with teaching in higher education institutions as well (UNWE, NATFA, SU, NBU, NMU).

The department offers competitive PhD programs in the domain of Philosophy and more concretely, in two main research tracks: 1/ Philosophy of Culture, Politics, Law and Economics; and 2/ Philosophy of History. Both programs are taught in accordance with approved curricula within the Centre of Education at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

PROJECTS

2021-2023. ”Rethinking Bulgarian Education for the 21st Century”. PI: Assoc. Prof. Hristina Ambareva, PhD.

2019-2022.”Civilizational Challenges Facing Bulgaria and the European Union (Conflicts, Risks and Transformations). PI: Prof. Borislav Gradinarov, DSc.

2018-2021. “Current and Future Perspectives of the Social-humanitarian, Scientific and Cultural Relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria”. An international project in the framework of bilateral cooperation between BAS and Azerbaijan. PI: Prof. Bogdana Todorova, DSc (ЕBR).

2016-2018. “Democratization, Religious Identity and Fundamentalism in Romania and Bulgaria”. An international project in the framework of bilateral cooperation between BAS and Romania. PI: Assoc. Prof. Bogdana Todorova, DSc

2016-2017. “The Balkans and the Migrant Crisis in the Context of the Transformation of the European Border Control”. A project within a Program supporting early career researchers. Participants: Assoc. Prof. Borislav Gradinarov (supervisor) and Assis. Prof. Blagovesta Nikolova (early career researcher).

2015-2018. “Bulgaria in the European Union – Conclusions, Conflicts, Risks and Perspectives”. Internal collective research project. PI: Assoc. Prof. Borislav Gradinarov.

2015-2017. “Culture and Values in Late Modernity“. An international project in the framework of bilateral cooperation between BAS and Romania. PI: Assoc. Prof. Bogdana Todorova, DSc.

MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT

	Prof. DSc Bogdana Todorova – heаd of the department bonytodorova@gmail.comPhilosophy of Religion (Islam); Political Philosophy; Security. “Public Narratives and Attitudes towards Refugees and Migrants. Comparative Analysis between Romania and Bulgaria”, PI of a bilateral cooperation project (2023-2025). “Values in the Family: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Turkey”, UNESCO project (2023-2024). “The Role of Islam in Azerbaijan”, 2022, Professor Marin Drinov Publishing House of BAS.
	Prof. Borislav Gradinarov, DSc bograd@abv.bgPhilosophy of Politics, Law and Economics; Ethics, Media; Security The European Union, Bulgaria and the Conflicts of the XXI Century. The New World Order – Between the “Diplomacy” of the Weapon and the “Weapon” of Diplomacy. New Challenges Facing the European Union and Bulgaria. Risk and Anti-risk Strategies.
	Assoc. Prof. Hristina Ambareva, PhD ambareva@yahoo.comDigital Society and Internet Culture; Values, Knowledge, Education in the Digital Age; Philosophy of Technology; Democracy and Disinformation. Internet Culture and How It Changes the World
	Assoc. Prof. Mariana Todorova, PhD mariana_g_todorova@yahoo.comFutures Studies; The Future of Digital Technologies and AI; The Future of Social Systems (Education, Professions, Labour Market); The Future of Democracy; Counterfactual Analysis. Artificial Intelligence. Short History of Its Evolution and Ethical Aspects of the Theme Theodor Gordon, Todorova, Mariana. 2019. Future studies and counterfactual analysis: Seeds of the future
	Assoc. Prof. Blagovesta Nikolova, PhD blagy_ilieva@abv.bgPolitical Philosophy; Foresight; Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) The RRI Challenge: Responsibilization in a State of Tension with Market Regulation The Rise and Promise of Participatory Foresight Sustaining Normative Horizons, Grappling with Elusive Effects: Governance and Sociality Under the Litmus Test of COVID-19
	Assoc.Prof. Iva Manova, PhD iva.manova@gmail.com Philosophy of History; Philosophy of Religion (Catholicism); Studies on Catholic Culture and the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church In Need of the Other Pope Francis and Latin American Catholic Revival From Integral Ecology to Ecological Sin: The Social Teaching of Pope Francis from Laudato si’ (2015) to the Amazon Synod (2019)
	Assist. Prof. Nevena Ivanova, PhD nevena.0.ivanova@gmail.com Aesthetics and Philosophy of Technology Books currently in progress: “The Pharmacological Character of Synthetic Biology”; “Creativity and Artificial Intelligence”.
	Assist. Prof. Vihra Pavlova, PhD vihra@gyuvetch.bg Geopolitics; Political Philosophy; Global Prognostics A monograph currently in progress: “Forecasting in Geopolitics”
	Assist. Prof. Sylvia Pencheva, PhD silviq_pencheva@abv.bg Philosophy of Economics; Social Philosophy; Education PhD Thesis: “Poverty, Charity, Power – Cultural-Civilizational Aspects”
	Radina Bogomirova – secretary radinab@abv.bg Publications by Radina Bogomirova