Our Mission
The mission of the BRAMS Institute is to advance research in the social sciences and humanities by exploring the cultural, political, and historical contexts of British, American, and Georgian life. The Institute seeks to deepen global understanding of commonalities and contrasts among nations through rigorous, comparative research.
By analysing exemplary cases from the United Kingdom and the United States, our researchers aim to inform more effective policy and practice. Their findings support better-informed political, social, cultural, and economic decisions that will shape the future of Georgia and contribute to global debates. The Institute is also committed to providing high-quality information about Georgia in English – material that often reflects the results of careful research by Georgian scholars and offers perspectives frequently overlooked by representatives of more developed countries. Collaborative work by Georgian and international experts ensures these insights are both distinctive and valuable.
BRAMS advocates an interdisciplinary approach to international studies, bringing together scholars from the humanities, social sciences, and related fields. Our principal objective is to foster a deeper understanding within the academic community at home and abroad by facilitating networks and dialogue focused on the UK and the US. Given the enduring global influence of these two countries, our research addresses transnational and local challenges alike – examples include the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict – recognising that interventions and policy choices in one place may have wide-ranging effects elsewhere. Accordingly, the Institute adopts a global perspective even when investigating issues that originate in, or principally affect, particular states.
The Digital Renaissance
Contrary to the perception of the Internet as merely a 'waste of time' or a 'dangerous abyss', it can be an exceptionally powerful tool when used judiciously. Its value depends on how individuals choose to engage with it; when approached with clear intent and purpose, the Internet can yield outcomes that would otherwise be unattainable.
When I founded the BRAMS Institute, many colleagues questioned the decision to operate predominantly in the digital sphere. The rationale for this choice in 2018 was well founded, and the relevance of that decision was underlined by the COVID-19 pandemic, when academic peers across Georgia sought guidance on effective remote working practices.
Members of the BRAMS team have been operating online since the late 1990s, long before the idea of establishing Georgia's first independent think tank took shape. Early adopters – largely local IT specialists – demonstrated the practical benefits of digital work even amid the political and economic turmoil of a newly independent state, where weak institutions, intermittent electricity and unreliable internet posed serious obstacles. A small group of determined young professionals overcame these challenges, building local capacity for remote work and connecting Georgian specialists with organisations abroad. That mode of working is now widespread, and we embrace its advantages without reservation.
Commitment to Projects that Matter
If you wish to harness the Internet, social media, or AI to support a cause, there are several effective strategies; our team devised one such approach years ago and has contributed to a numbers of discreet but consequential project. We generally prefer not to publicise our involvement – believing that doing good without seeking recognition is itself laudable – though our work is traceable to those who look.
Prioritising altruism over immediate financial reward is difficult in a materialist culture, yet we balance professional responsibilities value-driven initiatives. Whatever the scale, project grounded in a clear public purpose motivate us, and we remain eager to undertake new work that will make a meaningful difference in Georgia and beyond.
The BRAMS team is fully committed. Regardless of the project's scale, we consistently find motivation in a noble cause. We take pride in our past achievements, yet we eagerly seek to engage in new, impactful projects that will make a significant difference in Georgia and beyond.
The BRAMS team is fully committed to this mission.
