I study the Comparative Democratization of Eastern Europe and Latin America. Primarily, I am interested in the micro foundations of protest mobilization in democratizing contexts. More broadly, I research what drives political behaviour (engagement in protests, elections, activism, social movement and civil society organization), public opinion, ethnic identity, and migration.
I am the author of more than 20 scholarly publications as well as several large policy reports, briefs, reviews, and popular articles. My scholarly articles have appeared in leading journals in my field (Journal of Democracy, Europe-Asia Studies, Problems of Post-Communism, Post-Soviet Affairs, GeoPolitics among others). My book “Mapping Mass Mobilizations” (2014, has received praise Europe-Asia Studies and was nominated for a prize).
I currently supervise six PHDs (four as primary supervisor) and one Post Doctoral Fellow.
My teaching has been recognized by the SoSS UoM Leadership as having obtained an outstanding result – as I teach several of the “highest [rated courses] in the School.” To this end, in 2017 I was awarded the Political Studies Association National Sir Bernard Crick Award for Outstanding Teaching. I was also twice nominated as Most Inspirational Lecturer, by my students.
Dr. Onuch has engaged with policymakers and practitioners internationally. Dr. Onuch has recently joined the Open Society Foundation coordinated, Strategic Advisory Group, tasked with advising the President and Government of Ukraine.
