How Stasi counter-intelligence contributed to the political stability and security of the German Democratic Republic from 1950-89

This project examines the counter-intelligence operations of the Ministry of State Security (Stasi) of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), 1950-89. It investigates how and how successfully the Stasi conducted counter-intelligence operations against its Western adversaries, and analyses what contribution this made to the political stability and security of the GDR, the Soviet Union and the whole Soviet Bloc. It examines the development of the Stasi’s counter-intelligence service over time, with the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 marking an important caesura in its work. A major theme of the research project will be the Stasi’s collaboration with Soviet counter-intelligence agencies, above all Soviet military counter-intelligence services in the GDR. The project also sets the Stasi against the historical background provided by, on the one hand, the Soviet security service, and, on the other, earlier German police agencies.

The project will take advantage of the archival collections of the Federal Commissioner for the Records of the State Security Service of the former GDR (BStU) in Berlin, and of those of the West German Federal Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst) in Koblenz. Fluency in the German language is a prerequisite for participating in it.

The project area is the history of intelligence and security agencies, the history of Central and Eastern Europe, and the history of Communism.

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in History, Politics, International Relations, Social Science or a  related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience will be an advantage.

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/.  Under programme name, select ‘Politics, History and International Relations’  

Please quote reference number: PHIR/PM2