Rusif Huseynov

Co-founder, Director

Rusif Huseynov is the Co-founder and Director of Topchubashov Center, a Baku-based think tank.

His main interests are socio-political developments, frozen conflicts, and ethnic minorities, in post-Soviet countries, while his focus areas mainly cover Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia.

Mr. Huseynov obtained his bachelor’s degree from Baku State University and master’s degree from the University of Tartu.

He is a ReThink.CEE (2021) fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the United States and Local Focal Point within the EU4Dialogue project.

Mr. Huseynov also taught as an adjunct lecturer at ADA University.

He pens articles for international media outlets such as The National Interest, The Jamestown Foundation, the New Eastern Europe.

Gulkhanim Mammadova

Research fellow

Gulkhanim Mammadova is a researcher with a focus on gender studies, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation. She received her BA in Political Sciences from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2015–2019), and MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the Social Sciences University of Ankara (2019 – 2021). She has also taken a graduate certificate course in conflict analyses and mediation at the University of San Diego in 2023. She was awarded multiple merit-based scholarships for her academic endeavors. She has taken part in numerous cross-border dialogues and youth projects, such as EU4Dialogue, Corridors, and Conflict School. Gulkhanim is a John Smith Trust Fellow 2023 and a participant in the 2nd Edition of the OSCE Women’s Peace Leadership Programme.

Shujaat Ahmadzada

Research fellow

Shujaat Ahmadzada is an independent researcher focusing on conflict transformation and foreign and security policies of the South Caucasus countries. Shujaat has taken a graduate certificate course in Conflict Analysis and Mediation at the University of San Diego in 2023. He holds MA in Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies from the University of Glasgow (UK) and BA in International Relations from the Academy of Public Administration (Azerbaijan). Moreover, Shujaat has years of experience in youth work, policy advisory, project management and peacebuilding.