Minority Issues Research Institute
Research That Matters
Minority Issues Research Institute (MIRI) is an independent non-partisan think tank headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia. We are dedicated to conducting research on minority issues and promoting the rights of minorities worldwide. We foster collaboration and connections between scientists, researchers, practitioners, and minorities from diverse backgrounds to work towards a more just, fair and inclusive future.
MIRI News, Articles and Blogs
Stay up to date on the latest events and initiatives addressing current affairs and minority issues by checking out the upcoming events hosted by MIRI.
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Past Events
The Defamation of Black Resisters in American HistoryThu, Mar 26Online Event
United Nations and the Human Rights Regime: everyday realities and necessitiesFri, Dec 12Online Event
Book Talk and Discussion on “Everyday Islamophobia” with Dr Peter HopkinsSat, Nov 01Online Event
Anti-government protests in Serbia: their impact, challenges and minority perspectiveFri, Sep 05Online Event
MIRI Seminars on Current Affairs Videos
The Defamation of Black Resisters in American History
The Defamation of Black Resisters in American History
The Donroe Doctrine: Venezuela and a Rehashing of the Limited Sovereignty Playbook in South America
United Nations and the Human Rights Regime: everyday realities and necessities
Book Talk and Discussion on “Everyday Islamophobia” with Dr Peter Hopkins
Protivládne protesty v Srbsku: ich dôsledky, výzvy a slovenská menšinová perspektíva
Anti-government protests in Serbia: their impact, challenges and minority perspective
Stay up to date on the MIRI events and activities
Public Policy Research
Our team of experienced researchers conducts policy analysis and research to address the challenges faced by minority communities. We provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, NGOs, and other stakeholders to promote inclusive policies and practices.
Capacity Building
We offer training and capacity-building programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals and organizations working on minority issues. Our programs cover a range of topics including research methodologies, advocacy and community mobilization.
Networking & Collaboration
We facilitate connections and collaboration between stakeholders working on minority issues. We organize events, workshops, and conferences to bring together researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and minority communities to share knowledge and best practices.
Communications& Advocacy
We develop communication strategies and outreach campaigns to raise awareness about minority issues and promote inclusive policies and practices.
MIRI is a dedicated team of experts working towards promoting and protecting human and minority rights in Slovakia and abroad. We believe in the importance of research, education, and active involvement in shaping a more just society. Learn more about our team and the work we do to make a difference.
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Founder, President and Senior Researcher
Svetluša Surová
Dr Svetluša Surová is a Senior Researcher at MIRI focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human and minority rights, as well as the political participation of minorities in Serbia. From the long-term perspective, she has been researching minority policies in Serbia and Slovakia, diasporic policies, and collective identities of the Slovak minority in Serbia. She organizes Capacity-building, Networking and Charitable activities at MIRI.
Dr Surová is a lecturer of undergraduate and graduate courses on minority studies and minority rights at the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Philosophy, Trnava University in Trnava.
Dr Surová is an Expert Member of the Group of Friends of Minorities in the National Council of the Slovak Republic, which was established in September 2021 by Mattias Bel Institute. As well, she is an Expert Member of the Working group for drafting minority law in Slovakia based on the invitation from the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for National Minorities of the Slovak Republic.
She is the Founder and Research Analyst at Gnarum, s.r.o. offering expert consulting, social (qualitative) and market research.
Senior Researcher
Mirsad Kriještorac
Dr Mirsad Kriještorac is a Senior Researcher at the MIRI focusing on the Bosnian Muslim and Goranci minorities. Dr Kriještorac organizes Capacity-building and Networking activities at MIRI.
He holds a PhD in Political Science from FIU’s School of International and Public Affairs, where he teaches classes on Nationalism and Ethnicity, and on the International Protection of Human Rights.
He is also a research fellow at the FIU Jafar's Muslims World Studies Center and an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Broward College.
Senior Researcher
Daniela Škutová
Dr Daniela Škutová is a Senior Researcher at the MIRI focusing on the issues democratic values in education and inclusive education of minorities. Dr Škútová organizes Capacity-building and Networking activities at MIRI.
She is working at the Faculty of Political Sciences and International Relations of the Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica since its inception in 1995. She is a member of the Scientific Council, the union committee for doctoral studies, and the Deputy editor-in-chief of the journal Political Sciences. She taught the subjects of political thinking and political ideologies. She has published several scientific studies and participated in conferences.
Senior Research Associate
Patricia C. Agupusi
Dr Patricia C. Agupusi is a Senior Research Associate at MIRI focusing on the rise of domestic terrorism and insurgencies. She does research in comparative political economy.
Dr Agupusi is an Assistant Professor of Social Science at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts US. Her research interests include state capacity, entrepreneurship, international security, inequality, and the political economy of development.
She obtained her PhD in International Development with a specialization in political economy from the University of East Anglia, UK.
Senior Research Associate
Arsène Brice Bado
Dr Arsène Brice Bado is a Senior Research Associate at MIRI focusing on ethnic pluralism, conflict analysis and forced migration.
Dr Arsène Brice Bado is the Vice-Président for Academic Affairs and International Cooperation, and assistant professor of political science and international relations at CERAP/Université Jésuite in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
He is an associate researcher both at the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) of Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa, and at the Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS), University of Ottawa, Canada. He is a Holman Visiting Fellow at Penn Development Research Initiative (PDRI) of the University of Pennsylvania, USA, during the Fall Semester 2023.
Senior Research Associate
Nnaoma Hyacinth Iwu
Dr Nnaoma Hyacinth Iwu is a Senior Research Associate at MIRI focusing on the research on Throes of Minorities in a Manufactured Majoritarian Electoral Democracy in Nigeria. His research interests include Conflict Resolution, Research Methodology in Political Science, Civil Society and Participation, Comparative Political Analysis, Political Party and Governance, Civil-Military Relations, Good Governance Issues, Strategic Studies and International Relations Issues.
He is a Professor of Political Science and he teaches Comparative Politics, Civil Society, Conflict Resolution, and Strategic Studies at Department of Political Science, Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria.
Founder and Fundraising Manager
Cord Hoppe
Cord Hoppe is a Fundraising Manager focusing on fundraising activities at MIRI. Living most of his life outside his home country of Germany, he has developed a sense of the importance of minorities and democratic values, which he will be promoting in his role at MIRI.
He has more than thirty years of experience in banking, IT sector, cloud computing, people management and consulting. He is working at Raiffeisen Informatik responsible for Cloud computing platforms for 15 banks and 15 insurance companies.
Founder and Project Manager
Marek Waller
Marek Waller is a Project Manager at MIRI. He focuses on managing research projects and various charity activities that aim to improve the lives of those in need, both locally and globally. He is dedicated to making a positive impact in our world.
Founder and Youth Activities Manager
Dražen Derek Hoppe
Dražen Derek Hoppe is a Youth Activities Manager, and he leads the charge in our educational and charitable activities for the youth. With a strong belief that every action we take can change someone's life for the better, he is helping with providing learning resources, charity events, or mentorship programs for youth.
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