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From Research to Real-World Impact: Paula Pickering’s Contributions to Scholarship and Student Learning

W&M Government faculty continue to excel in the world of academia. This is especially true for Professor Paula Pickering, whose accomplishments reflect both her internationally recognized research and her longstanding commitment to mentoring students.

Pickering has an extensive background in Balkan and Eastern European studies. Having served as a political officer in Turkmenistan for the State Department and a human rights officer and volunteer with international organizations in the Balkans, her professional career greatly informed her academic specialty. Since joining the field, she has focused on civic activism within post-communist countries, the impact of aid on democratization, and the politics of ethnicity and refugees across Eurasia.

Recently, Pickering’s article, “Perceptions and Drivers of Civic Activism: The Cases of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland,” was selected by the Communist and Post-Communist Studies journal for their Global Collaborative Research Award. The award, which seeks to recognize cross-regional collaboration in research within the field, reflects the inclusivity and depth of Pickering’s work. Her article won praise from the evaluating committee, specifically for its innovative research design and methodology, with the committee drawing attention to its “lasting value beyond the immediate findings.” Pickering’s research model examines civic activism, democratization, ethnic politics in post-communist countries, and how societies respond to political and social divisions.

This past September, Pickering was recognized at the American Political Association conference in Boston. She received the Margaret Levi Award for the Advancement of Comparative Methodology in the Organized Section in Comparative Politics for her work with the Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP) network in directing the . This initiative serves as a collaborative research model for academic researchers and policy makers to share their research and knowledge across field experiments.

Pickering obtained more local laurels receiving the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award. Given by the Charles Center, the reward goes out to professors who mentored students receiving Charles Center funding over the summer. Out of dozens of faculty members nominated by students, Pickering was ultimately selected by the faculty committee to receive the award. This award is a testament to her enduring commitment to students, especially in their research endeavors and, as a result, the ability to pursue independent projects.

Pickering’s research interests and commitment to students are evident by the which brings W&M students to Sarajevo to teach English, intercultural communication, and media skills. She has mentored the program since 2007, stewarding students as they collaborate with their counterparts at the University of Sarajevo to foster understanding and conduct research on education. Recently, W&M cited the ABC Project as an example of cross-cultural civic leadership in practice during the 2026 Year of Civic Leadership, demonstrating the extent to which Pickering’s work has engaged the international community and informed W&M students on how to better global citizens. Her efforts are demonstrative of how faculty expertise creates international learning opportunities for students.

Those interested in taking classes with Professor Pickering should consider her survey courses on Central and Eastern European and Russian and Post-Soviet Politics, as well as her seminar on Sources of and Remedies to Conflict in Eurasia. Applications for this summer’s cohort of the ABC Project remain open through October 18th, 2026. The application form is accessible at .

Congratulations to Professor Pickering from the Government Department and her students!