Prof. Emilia Chengelova, DSc, takes up her post today as Director of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology – BAS. Prof. Chengelova was re-elected by the Governing Council of BAS for a second term as Director of the Institute, following a competitive selection process, for the period 2026–2030.
Her research work focuses on several main areas: 1) Developing concepts, theories and methodologies for empirical sociological research; exploring the ontological and epistemological characteristics of quantitative and qualitative methods; she is a leading author in methodological studies on the nature, functional characteristics and cognitive features of quantitative methods; develops and introduces into Bulgarian research practice an innovative interpretation of focus group discussions and in-depth interviews; introduces the concept of “cognitive violence against the respondent” and explains the reasons for refusals to participate in sociological research; 2) Since 2010, she has been a leading Bulgarian researcher in the field of theoretical reflections and empirical study of the “shadow economy”: she demonstrates that the “shadow economy” is a specific form of deviant behaviour which is fully recognised by individuals and practised in pursuit of direct economic gains; she has constructed and empirically demonstrated the existence of eight behavioural models within which individuals engage in shadow economic practices and has developed a multifactorial theory of the determinants of the “shadow economy” – a theory without parallel in European or Bulgarian research practice; in 2023, the team led by Prof. Chengelova constructed and calculated a unique Index of Public Tolerance towards the “shadow economy” (the SETI Index).
The main objective of the Programme for the Management and Development of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology – BAS for the period 2026–2030 is to establish the Institute as a leading European and national academic centre in the field of social sciences and humanities in Bulgaria and South-Eastern Europe:
- Recognisable
- Authoritative
- With significant contributions to the development of Bulgarian science and, in particular, sociology and philosophy
- Generator of forward-looking knowledge on the development of Bulgarian society – an objective barometer of social reality
- With significant contributions to the development of sociology and philosophy within the European Research Area and on a global scale.
She has set itself the primary management objective of establishing the “IPS – BAS” emblem as a benchmark for high quality, scientific rigour, strict academic standards, scientific objectivity, systematic approach, academic depth and scientific ethics.
She sets out six priorities in its Management Programme for the period 2026–2023, proposing management policies for the adequate and effective promotion of research activities; policies for the balanced and sustainable development of the Institute’s scientific potential; policies to strengthen the capacity of IPS-BAS to generate significant and measurable socio-economic impacts for Bulgarian society and European/global science; proactive policies to raise the public profile of IPS-BAS within society and in the public sphere (through press conferences, more public appearances, including public opinion surveys and their dissemination in the public sphere); policies to build on sustainable development and optimise the work of the Institute’s governing bodies and administration, the comprehensive digitisation of administrative processes, as well as the effective and responsible management of the building stock housing the Institute.
