PhD-qualified university lecturer, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and specialist in Qualitative Research Methods, dissertation supervision, academic writing, Political Science, and university admissions preparation, with international academic experience at leading universities.

• PhD from Glasgow Caledonian University, Master's degree from Tsinghua University, and executive education at Harvard Kennedy School
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), with university teaching and postgraduate dissertation supervision experience in the UK and internationally
• Specialist in Qualitative Research Methods, including research design, semi-structured and elite interviews, thematic analysis, research ethics, and critical academic inquiry

Dr Haris Vongli is a university lecturer, researcher, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), specialising in Political Science, Governance, International Relations, Research Methods, and academic research development. She holds a PhD from Glasgow Caledonian University London, where her doctoral research examined the relationship between media power, political persuasion, and democratic governance.

Her academic background includes a Master of Public Administration in International Development and Governance from Tsinghua University, Beijing; an MSc in Politics and Governance in the European Union from the University of Tirana; and a BA in Law and Politics from Queen Mary University of London. She has also completed executive education in Leadership and Character in Uncertain Times at Harvard Kennedy School.

Dr Vongli has extensive teaching experience across universities in the United Kingdom and Albania, including Glasgow Caledonian University London, the University of Tirana, and the European University of Tirana. She currently serves as an Associate Lecturer at Health Sciences University, teaching Health Policy, Politics and Power, Applied Research Methods, and Strategic Leadership and Management.

Her principal academic expertise lies in Qualitative Research Methods and postgraduate research supervision. Having undertaken doctoral research involving qualitative methodological design and elite interviews, she combines practical research experience with extensive teaching of research methodology. She supports undergraduate, Master's, and doctoral students in understanding research philosophies, developing research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, designing interviews, conducting thematic analysis, addressing research ethics, and critically interpreting qualitative findings.

Throughout her academic career, Dr Vongli has supervised postgraduate dissertations and MBA research projects, providing guidance on research proposals, literature reviews, methodological frameworks, academic writing, critical analysis, and dissertation structure. Her teaching approach emphasises independent thinking, academic rigour, and constructive feedback, helping students strengthen their research capabilities and develop confidence in their academic work.

She also offers academic preparation and guidance for students applying to universities, including support with personal statements, research proposals, academic interviews, and the development of applications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Alongside university-level teaching, Dr Vongli supports A-Level students studying Politics, Philosophy, and Ethics, focusing on theoretical understanding, argumentation, essay structure, critical evaluation, and examination preparation. Her interdisciplinary academic training enables her to connect political and philosophical theories with contemporary debates about democracy, justice, governance, human rights, and ethical responsibility.

Beyond academia, Dr Vongli brings over 15 years of professional experience in political communication, electoral campaign strategy, political public relations, and marketing. She previously served as an Adviser to the President of the Republic of Albania, specialising in diplomatic affairs, political communication, and speechwriting. Her expertise extends to electoral campaign planning, strategic communication, political branding, content creation, digital media strategy, public relations, and political speechwriting. Throughout her career, she has worked with government institutions, political organisations, international media, and public administration, combining practical experience in policymaking, political strategy, and public engagement. This extensive professional background enriches her academic teaching, enabling her to connect political theories, governance frameworks, and communication strategies with real-world political and institutional practice.

Her educational philosophy is rooted in student-centred learning, intellectual curiosity, and the belief that effective teaching should develop not only knowledge but also independent judgement and confidence. Having taught students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, she adopts an inclusive and personalised approach, helping learners at different stages of their academic journeys achieve their educational goals.

Dr Vongli's PhD research critically examines the relationship between media, political power, and democratic governance in Albania, exploring the influence of political elites, oligarchs, organised crime, and international NGOs on media ownership, independence, and public discourse. Drawing on 29 elite semi-structured interviews, her research demonstrates specialised expertise in Qualitative Research Methods. Her original theoretical contributions include the identification of a Fourth Media Epoch (2013–2025) and the proposal of a Fifth Theory of the Press: the Hybrid-Neopatrimonial Model, which explains the coexistence of formal democratic institutions and informal authoritarian practices. The model identifies parallels with Serbia, Hungary, and Turkey, alongside certain characteristics associated with Russia, Belarus, and China.