Dr Igor Cherstich has conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork in Libya both before and after the revolution of 2011. He has also worked with the Libyan diaspora in the UK. Igor’s research covers a variety of topics including religion, tribalism, political change, youth culture and everyday life. Igor holds a PhD and an MA in Social Anthropology from SOAS, University of London, and a BA in Archaeology and Classics from the University of Chieti (Italy). Currently, Igor is a lecturer in Social Anthropology at the Social Research Institute – University College London.

Igor has participated in international research projects funded by various bodies, including the European Research Council (ERC). He has authored scholarly monographs and academic articles, as well as journalistic pieces for national newspapers and contributions to popular blogs. Igor has commented on current affairs in TV and Radio Interviews, podcasts, and newspapers interviews (including Al Jazeera English, ABC News Australia, Indus News, Monocle 24, Radio France Internationale, Radio Svizzera, Il Corriere della Sera, Il Manifesto, the Royal Anthropological Institute Podcast, the New Arab). He has also collaborated with and provided consultancies for a variety of organisations including Mirror-European Union, Accord, the Antiquities Coalition, Agence France Press, UNESCO, the Van Vollenhoven Institute and others. Igor has also provided expert consultancy on Libya and North Africa to the UK judiciary on numerous occasions.

Igor is fluent in Italian, Libyan Arabic, Ancient Greek, and Latin. He has an intermediate knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic (written and spoken) and French, and he has a basic understanding of Egyptian Arabic and Spanish.