AIS–ALBSA: Foundation and Reorganization
1. On 1 December 1999, in Tirana, the Institute for Political and Social Studies (ISPS) was founded, with Leke SOKOLI serving as Executive Director and Servet PELLUMBI as Academic Director.
The Institute published the journal Politics & Society (Politika dhe Shoqëria).
2. On 21 November 2006, building upon ISPS, the Institute of Sociology was established in Tirana as a membership-based association of scholars in sociology and the social sciences.
This transformation ensured compliance with international standards for membership in international professional associations, such as the International Sociological Association (ISA) and the European Sociological Association (ESA).
The Institute publishes the journal Social Studies (Studime Sociale).
3. At its Fifth Assembly, held at Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës, a reorganization was undertaken, resulting in the establishment of two associated institutions: the Albanian Sociological Association (ALBSA), modeled on the International Sociological Association (founded in 1949 under the auspices of UNESCO) and the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS), following the model of the International Institute of Sociology (founded in Paris in 1893).
4. On 22 November 2011, in Tirana, upon the initiative of AIS–ALBSA, the Balkan Sociological Forum (BSF) was founded.
I. International Membership:
1. Regular & Collective Member of International Sociological Association (ISA)
Mexico City: 18 April 2009
2. Regular and Collective Member of European Sociological Association (ESA)
Paris France: 28 October 2010
3. Regular and Collective Member of Balkan Sociological Forum (BSF)
Tirana Albania: 22 November 2011
(Founded in Tirana-Albania and with the initiative of the Albanian Institute of Sociology, AIS)
II. All AIS-ALBSA Assemblies (2006-2025):
11th Assembly of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
University Luigj Gurakuqi Shkoder: 14 November 2025
10th Assembly of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
University Ismail Qemali Vlore: 10 November 2023
9th Assembly of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
University Fan S. Noli Korce: 5 November 2021
8th Assembly of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
University Aleksander Moisiu Durrës: 15 November 2019
7th Assembly of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
University Barleti Tirana: 17 November 2017
6th Assembly of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
AAB University College Prishtina: 20 November 2015
5th Assembly of the Albanian Sociological Association (Reorganization Assembly)
University Aleksander Moisiu Durres: 23 November 2013
4th Assembly of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS)
Tirana: 21 November 2011
3rd Assembly of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS)
Tirana: 22 May 2009
2nd Assembly of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS)
Tirana: 15 June 2007
1st Assembly of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (FOUNDING ASSEMBLY)
Tirana: 21 November 2006
III. Presidents, Vice-Presidents & EC Members of the Albanian Sociological Association (ALBSA)
2025-2027 (elected by the 11th Assembly of AIS-ALBSA)
Romina GURASHI – President
Migena KAPLLANAJ – Vice President for Collective Members
Lediana XHAKOLLARI - Vice President for Permanent Thematic Sections
Executive Committee:
Ardita ABDULI, Blerim Halili, Darina KACOLLJA, Erjona FUSHA, Irena NIKAJ, Itena HOXHALLARI, Juliana LAZE, Nevila KOÇOLLARI, Robert ÇITOZI, Rudina ALIMERKO
2023-2025 (elected by the 10th Assembly of AIS-ALBSA)
Brunila ZENELAGA – President
Romina GURASHI - Vice President for Permanent Thematic Sections
Valon MURATI - Vice President for Collective Members
Executive Committee:
Ardita ABDULI, Dorina KACOLLJA, Enkelejda Cenaj, Irena NIKAJ, Itena HOXHALLARI, Jorsena BRAHIMLLARI, Lediana XHAKOLLARI, Nevila KOÇOLLARI, Robert ÇITOZI, Rudina ALIMERKO
2021-2023 (elected by the 9th Assembly of AIS-ALBSA)
Ali PAJAZITI – President
Blerina HAMZALLARI - Vice President for Permanent Thematic Sections
Burim JONUZI – Vice President for Collective Members
Executive Committee:
Ana UKA, Brunila Zenelaga, Denis CELCIMA, Irena Nikaj, Irini LIMKA, Jonida LAMAJ, Klea FANIKO, Ledia KASHAHU, Luljeta KODRA, Robert ÇITOZI
2019 – 2021 (elected by the 8th Assembly of AIS-ALBSA)
Irena NIKAJ – President
Brunila ZENELAGA - Vice President for Permanent Thematic Sections
Sabri KICMARI – Vice President for Collective Members
Executive Committee:
Alketa DUMANI, Burim JONUZI, Enis SULSTAROVA, Era BUÇPAPA, Hasan JASHARI, Itena HOXHALLARI, Matilda LIKAJ, Miranda RIRA, Rando DEVOLE, Rudina HOXHA,
Lekë SOKOLI - Secretary General
2017 –2019 (elected by the 7th Assembly of AIS-ALBSA)
Besim GOLLOPENI – President
Merita PONI - Vice President for Permanent Thematic Sections
Saemira PINO - Vice President for Collective Members
Executive Committee:
Alket DINO, Eglantina DERVISHI, Enis SULSTAROVA, Hajdin ABAZI, Jonida LAMAJ, Kozeta HOXHA, Merita Xhumari, Rando DEVOLE, Rudina HOXHA, Skënder DEMALIAJ
2015 – 2017 (elected by the 6th Assembly of AIS-ALBSA)
Tonin GJURAJ - President
Ali PAJAZITI - Vice President for Permanent Thematic Sections
Besim GOLLOPENI - Vice President for Collective Members
Executive Committee:
Brunilda ZENELAGA, Dajana BERISHA, Enis SULSTAROVA, Faruk AJETI, Fatbardha GJINI, Hasan JASHARI, Kozeta HOXHA, Kseanela SOTIROFSKI, Liljana RECKA, Merita XHUMARI
Lekë SOKOLI - Secretary General
2013 – 2015 (elected by the 5th Assembly of AIS-ALBSA, the Assembly of Reorganization)
Lekë SOKOLI – President
Afrim KRASNIQI - Vice President for Permanent Thematic Sections
Nora MALAJ - Vice President for Collective Members
Executive Committee:
Aleksandra PILURI, Brunilda ZENELAGA, Edlira BAKA, Eralda ZHILLA, Ermioni CEKANI, Fatbardha GJINI, Jonida LAMAJ, Kozeta HOXHA, Merita XHUMARI, Sunaj RAIMI
2011 –2013 (elected by the 4th Assembly of Albanian Institute of Sociology, AIS)
Enis SULSTAROVA - President
Irena NIKAJ - Vice President
Executive Committee:
Afrim KRASNIQI; Albana CANOLLARI; Brunilda ZENELAGA; Enis SULSTAROVA; Gezim TUSHI; Irena NIKAJ; Luan SHAHOLLARI; Merita XHUMARI; Rudina HOXHA
2009 – 2011 (elected by the 3rd Assembly of Albanian Institute of Sociology, AIS)
Mark TIRTA – President
Fatbardha GJINI - Vice President
Executive Committee:
Afrim KRASNIQI; Albana CANOLLARI; Enis SULSTAROVA; Fatbardha GJINI; Irena NIKAJ; Kozeta HOXHA; Liliana REÇKA; Luan SHAHOLLARI; Mark TIRTA
2007 –2009 (elected by the 2nd Assembly of the Albanian Institute of Sociology, AIS)
Servet PËLLUMBI - President
Nora MALAJ - Vice President
Executive Committee:
Albana CANOLLARI, Alfred UÇI, Apollon BAÇE, Brunilda ZENELAGA, Enis SULSTAROVA, Fatbardha GJINI, Kozeta HOXHA
2006 –2007 (elected by the 1st /Founding Assembly the Albanian Institute of Sociology, AIS)
Lekë SOKOLI - Founding President of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS)
Executive Committee:
Alfred UÇI, Enis SULSTAROVA, Gëzim TUSHI, Nora MALAJ, Servet PËLLUMBI, Silvana HAXHIAJ, Tonin ÇOBANI
IV. All Presidents of the Albanian Institute of Sociology, AIS (2006-2013) & Presidents of the Albanian Sociological Association, ALBSA (after the Assembly of Reorganization, 2013)
Romina GURASHI - 11th President of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
2025 - Present
Brunila ZENELAGA – 10th President of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
2023 - 2025
Ali PAJAZITI – 9th President of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
2021 – 2023
Irena NIKAJ - 8th President of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
2019 - 2021
Besim GOLLOPENI - 7th President of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
2017 - 2019
Tonin GJURAJ - 6th President of the Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
2015-2017
Lekë SOKOLI – 5th President of the Albanian Sociological Association (Reorganization Assembly)
2013 – 2015 Curriculum Vitae
Enis SULSTAROVA - 4th President of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS)
2011 – 2013
Mark TIRTA – 3rd President of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS)
2009 - 2011
Servet PËLLUMBI - 2nd President of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS)
2007 - 2009
Leke SOKOLI - 1st President of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (Founding President)
2006 – 2007
V. Honorary Presidents of the Albanian Institute of Sociology - Albanian Sociological Association (AIS-ALBSA)
Hamit BEQJA - Academician
Funding Honorary President (2006-2011)
Pajazit NUSHI - Academician
Honorary President (2011-2015)
Alfred UÇI - Academician
Honorary President (2015-2016)
Servet PELLUMBI
Honorary President (2016-Present)