Dr Alica Kizekova is a Lecturer in Strategic and Security Studies and International Relations at Curtin University and serves as the Major and Course Lead of the International Relations program. She is also the Deputy Director of the Korea Research and Engagement Centre (KRC), where she contributes to advancing Curtin’s strategic engagement with Korea and the broader Indo‑Pacific.

Research Impact and International Engagement

Dr Kizekova’s research advances both academic and policy-oriented debates on state strategies, soft balancing, global governance, and great power relations, with a strong regional focus on Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific. Her work also addresses Australian national identity, foreign policy, and security, contributing to contemporary discussions on strategic competition and regional order.

Her research is characterised by strong international engagement and policy relevance, including:

• Collaboration with the Slovak Foreign Policy Association across three strategic programs: Indo-Pacific, Central Europe, and International Security
• Active participation in policy and expert networks across the European Union and Asia, contributing to cross-regional dialogue on security and governance
• Invited speaker engagements at high-profile international forums, including the Raisina Dialogue, one of Asia’s premier platforms on geopolitics and geoeconomics

Through these activities, Dr Kizekova demonstrates international research visibility and impact, linking Australian scholarship to global policy debates and strengthening Curtin’s international profile.

Prior to joining Curtin, she held senior research and leadership roles at the Institute of International Relations Prague (2017–2023), including:

• Head of the Asia-Pacific Unit
• Senior researcher, Centre for the Study of Global Regions

In this capacity, she coordinated activities within the Think Visegrad V4 Think-Tank Platform, enhancing research collaboration and policy dialogue across Central Europe.

Her research is further grounded in government and policy experience, including:

• Expert adviser to the Speaker, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic (2015–2017)
• Ministerial adviser and National Contact Point for the Slovak Republic in the EU programme IDABC

Teaching Leadership and Educational Impact

As Major and Course Lead of the International Relations program, Dr Kizekova provides academic leadership in curriculum design, program development, and strategic alignment of teaching across the IR major. Her leadership contributes to ensuring coherence across units, strengthening student progression, and enhancing employability outcomes.

Teaching Portfolio

• INTR1001 Australia’s Global Politics
• INTR2003 Global Governance
• STRD1001 Foundations of Strategic Studies

• STRD2001 Great Power Competition
• STRD3000 Ethical Decision-Making and Leadership

Cross‑Unit Teaching

• Guest lectures in INTR1002 Foundations of International Relations and INTR2002 Diplomacy and Security in the Indo-Pacific

Pedagogical Impact

Dr Kizekova’s teaching is research-led and internationally informed, integrating:

• Contemporary geopolitical developments and Indo-Pacific case studies
• Policy-relevant analytical frameworks
• Comparative regional perspectives drawn from Europe and Asia

Her approach emphasises:

• Critical thinking and analytical depth
• Application of theory to real-world strategic challenges
• Development of student research and professional skills

Her international experience, including engagement in global policy forums such as the Raisina Dialogue, directly informs her teaching and enhances the authenticity and relevance of the student learning experience.

Leadership, Engagement, and Contribution

Across her roles, Dr Kizekova demonstrates:

• Academic leadership (Major and Course Lead, curriculum development)
• Research leadership (Deputy Director, Korea Research and Engagement Centre)
• International impact (EU–Asia engagement, Raisina Dialogue participation)
• Policy relevance (government advisory experience and think-tank collaboration)

Her profile reflects a strong integration of research, teaching, and engagement, contributing to Curtin’s strategic priorities in global research impact, internationalisation, and industry and policy engagement.