YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is pleased to share that Associate Professor and Chair of the Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance (BAPG) program Dr. Yevgenya Paturyan recently published a paper in the Frontiers in Political Science, a multidisciplinary journal that focuses on the theory and practice of governments and political systems at various levels, including local, state, national, and international. The article is co-authored by CHSS staff member and alumna of the Master of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs program Liana Simonyan (MPSIA ’20) and recent BAPG alumnus Gor Papikyan (BAPG ’25).
The article, titled “People won, now what? The role of civil society organizations in anti-corruption and judicial reform in post-uprising Armenia (2018–2025),” examines anti-corruption and judicial reforms in post-revolutionary Armenia following the 2018 Velvet Revolution. The research focuses on the role of civil society actors in maintaining the pro-democratic momentum.
Based on document analysis and qualitative interviews with civil society representatives, policy experts, and government officials, the study finds that the strength of civil society and availability of allies partially explain the differences in anti-corruption and judicial reform processes and outcomes. In the anti-corruption case, the main actors (the government, prominent civil society organizations, and the European Union) were more or less “on the same page.” In the case of judicial reform, there were strong divisions of opinion among civil society organizations and local and international experts. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of the role of civil society in the early years of democratic transition.
“This work was part of a larger international project, funded by Horizon Europe. That made it both challenging and exciting. And, of course, it’s very rewarding to work with former students turned colleagues and co-authors,” shared Dr. Paturyan.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.