About The OCC
​The Observatory on Contemporary Crises (OCC) is an online platform that publishes research, analysis, and commentary on key contemporary crises. Developed by students and faculty in the Department of Political Science at Saint Louis University- Madrid campus, the OCC provides timely and accessible insight into crises as they unfold.
​Aimed at scholars, journalists, and students of political science and international relations, the OCC bridges academic research and public debates. Connecting scholarly work with emerging analyses on crises, it offers a dynamic forum for understanding and engaging with some of the most complex and pressing challenges of today.
Research Team
With extensive experience in immigration processes, visa applications, sponsorship evaluations, and international student support, I bring a versatile skill set and a global perspective to every role I undertake. My work navigating complex immigration systems, advocating for diverse populations, and ensuring compliance has shaped my multicultural outlook and commitment to equity.
In my previous role at Eli Lilly and Company, I reviewed visa applications, evaluated sponsorship eligibility, and compiled data-driven reports for a program of approximately 1,000 employees that support organizational goals. Dedicated to empowering individuals across cultures, I thrive on fostering impactful outcomes and bridging global communities.
I am currently pursuing my MA in Political Science while relocating to Madrid, embracing new academic and cultural experiences that will deepen my understanding of governance, policy, and global migration dynamics.
Taylor Susong
Tatsiana Klishchanka
I am a Master’s student in Political Science and Conflict Resolution at Saint Louis University–Madrid, with an LL.B. in International Law from Belarusian State University. My research interests include space law, international humanitarian law, and conflict governance. I have contributed to the Space Court Foundation’s Big Book of Space Law and presented at global forums such as the UN Global Peace Summit. I am fluent in English, Russian, Spanish, and Belarusian, and bring an international perspective to my academic and professional work.
Tatsiana Klishchanka
Observatory Coordinator
Simona Rentea
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Saint Louis University, Madrid. My work elucidates the role played by crisis in contemporary rationalities of rule. I explore the dynamics of narrative contestation and the affective dimension of crises, currently in the context of the ´migration crisis´. I am co-author of The Routledge Handbook of Biopolitics (Routledge 2017).