Dr. Mher Sahakyan, Founder Director of the China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Research and Founding Editor of the Routledge Research in Eurasian Geopolitics book series, has been nominated to run for the position of At-Large Representative on the Governing Council of the International Studies Association (ISA).

Following the review of nominations submitted from different countries around the world, the ISA Nominating Committee announced the final slate of candidates for the 2026 elections. For the position of At-Large Representative, the Committee approved only seven candidates, including Armenian scholar Mher Sahakyan.

According to the Committee’s statement, the nominations are based on the criteria enumerated in the position description, including: accomplishments in scholarship, commitment to diversity, and service to the International Studies Association.

“It is a great honor for me to be nominated for a position on the Governing Council of the International Studies Association. I would like to express my gratitude to my colleagues, friends, and all those whose support and confidence have played an important role in this achievement,” said Mher Sahakyan.

Headquartered in the United States, the International Studies Association (ISA) is one of the world’s most prestigious academic organizations in the fields of international relations, global politics, and related disciplines. The Association brings together thousands of scholars, researchers, and experts from countries around the world.

The ISA Governing Council serves as the organization’s principal governing body and plays a key role in shaping the Association’s strategic development, academic policies, and international cooperation initiatives.

Mher Sahakyan is a recognized scholar on international relations, China and Eurasia, Chinese foreign policy, and Eurasian geopolitics. He is the author of numerous scholarly publications and an active advocate of international academic cooperation. His latest book, the Routledge Handbook of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Eurasia, was published by the British publisher Taylor & Francis. He also serves as a visiting lecturer at Chinese and French universities. He also serves as a visiting lecturer at Chinese and French universities. He was a 2024-2025 Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, and a 2020-2022 AsiaGlobal Fellow at the University of Hong Kong.