Thor Geunens

Thor Geunens is a doctoral researcher at Ghent University and a Fellow of the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). His research examines how geopolitical threats, more specifically in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, shape the defence preferences of national parties in Europe. His work combines empirical analysis of party positions with theoretical perspectives on political behaviour and security policy.

More broadly, he focuses on international security, defence policy, and party politics. Before starting his PhD, he worked as a Blue Book Trainee at the European Commission and as a teacher in Social Sciences and Philosophy. He earned his master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Antwerp in 2019, his master’s degree in Philosophy from the KU Leuven in 2023, and his master’s degree in Teaching from the KU Leuven in 2024.