Luka Tchovelidze
Tbilisi Free University
Luka Tchovelidze is an Undergraduate student at the Free University of Tbilisi and a member of the 2025 mentorship program. He co-authored a policy memo titled “Foreign Fighters and Regional Security in the Black Sea Region: Policy Imperatives Amid the Russia-Ukraine War” that examined the threats posed by Foreign Terrorist Fighters in the Black Sea region.
Mentorship Program 2025 Testimonial
Luka kindly shared his perspective on the mentorship program and highlighted the benefit that his participation had on his academic and professional development.
Can you tell me a little bit about your experience in the mentorship program?
My experience in the mentorship program with the Eastern Europe and Transnational Network was very enriching. Over the course of four months, I worked closely with fellow researchers on the topic of Eurasian and European security challenges, with a particular focus on the impact of foreign fighters and regional security in the Black Sea Region. Our primary project focused on analyzing the role of foreign fighters and their implications for regional security in the Black Sea region, culminating in a policy memo. The mentorship aspect was especially valuable as it provided consistent guidance from the mentor, helped me refine my research methodology, and allowed me to connect academic discussions with concrete policy recommendations. Beyond the research itself, the program allowed me to collaborate with peers, exchange perspectives, and deepen my understanding of transnational security dynamics. Overall, it was both an academic and professional growth experience that sharpened my analytical skills and expanded my network in the field.
What was the process of working with your mentor like? How did your relationship aid in the drafting of your policy memo?
Working with Dr. Tinatin Karosanidze was one of the most valuable aspects of the program. She provided consistent guidance throughout the research process, helping us sharpen our methodology and think critically about how our findings could translate into concrete policy recommendations. We held weekly meetings, where we reviewed the progress of the past week and received feedback directly from her. This structure not only kept us on track but also created an environment of accountability and open discussion. Her mentorship encouraged us to look at the issue of foreign fighters and regional security in the Black Sea region from multiple angles, ensuring that our final policy memo was both analytically rigorous and practically relevant. Ultimately, the relationship with my mentor turned the experience into a true learning process; she pushed us to go beyond academic research and think in terms of real-world policy impact, which greatly improved the quality of our final work.
How did this experience change the way that you think of academic work?
This experience reshaped the way I think about academic work by showing me how research can move beyond theory and directly inform policy. Before, I often saw academic work as primarily analytical, but through this project, I discovered how it can be applied to pressing real-world challenges like foreign fighters and regional security in the Black Sea region. Working closely with my mentor and peers, and refining our findings week by week, highlighted the importance of clarity, practicality, and collaboration in research. I became so engaged in the process that I now want to relate my future career to research and policy-making, focusing on how rigorous academic work can contribute to real-world solutions.
How important was the mentorship program to you and your development as a young scholar?
The mentorship program was very important to my development as a young scholar. It gave me the opportunity to work on a research project that was both academically rigorous and directly tied to real-world security challenges, which was a new and eye-opening experience for me. Having a mentor who was also my dean provided constant guidance and feedback that really shaped the way I approached the topic. Her advice helped me refine my methodology, improve the structure of my arguments, and ensure that our policy memo addressed not only the academic aspects but also the practical policy implications. Equally important was the collaborative environment. Our weekly meetings with the research team created a sense of accountability and pushed me to critically evaluate my work, while also learning from the perspectives of my peers. In the end, the program not only strengthened my research and writing skills, but it also gave me confidence in my ability to contribute to meaningful debates on Eurasian and European security. It inspired me to see academic work as a bridge to real policy-making, and it confirmed my ambition to pursue a career where I can combine research with practical policy development.
What would you like future generations of young scholars enrolled in the mentorship program to know?
I would like future generations of young scholars to know that the mentorship program is a unique opportunity to grow not only as researchers but also as contributors to real-world policy debates. The experience is what you make of it. Being proactive, open to feedback, and willing to engage in discussions with your mentor and peers makes all the difference. Most importantly, I would encourage them to approach the program with curiosity and a long-term mindset. The skills, networks, and perspectives they gain will not only strengthen their academic journey but also shape how they engage with the world beyond the university. If they fully embrace the process, it can inspire them, as it did for me, to connect their future careers with both research and policy-making.
Read the Memo
1 min read
Foreign Fighters and Regional Security in the Black Sea Region: Policy Imperatives Amid the Russia-Ukraine War
Foreign Terrorist Fighters pose rising risks in the Black Sea amid the Russia-Ukraine war. A new memo urges regional cooperation, with Canadian support to boost…