Eastern Research Group (ERG)
Duncan Allan
Deputy Head of Foreign Office Research Analysts and Senior Principal Research Analyst, Eastern Research
Group.
A member of the FCO’s Research Analysts since 1989, I've spent my career following the countries of the
former Soviet Union, in particular Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. I've completed full postings and
spells of temporary duty in Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia. I’ve also been seconded to FCO policy
departments and the Cabinet Office.
I returned to the FCO in August 2011 after more than four years as Head of Political Section at the British
Embassy, Kyiv. My analytical portfolio in London covers Russia’s external relations (with a special focus on
Russia’s policy toward the other countries of the former Soviet Union); regional energy issues; and trans-
regional political and economic trends.
Sarah Nurton
Research Analyst, Eastern Research Group.
Sarah began working as an analyst on Russia and the former Soviet Union in the Cabinet Office in 2009,
covering a wide range of themes including the Russian leadership, Russian foreign policy, Ukraine and the
South Caucasus. She moved to Eastern Research Group in the Foreign Office in 2013 and took up her current
role as analyst on Russian security issues in March 2015, although she maintains an interest in wider Russian
affairs.
About FCO Research Analysts
RA is a cadre of geographical and thematic experts who provide timely, high quality, evidence-based research
and analysis to Ministers, Directorates, Posts and other government departments. RAs are an integral part of
the policy-making process. There are nine research groups, each attached to a Directorate. RAs provide daily
expert advice and analytical support on a wide range of activities, including briefings, submissions, country
strategies, policy reviews and crisis response. RAs inform and challenge debate at the strategic level by
writing more substantive forward-looking think-pieces on individual countries, regions and global issues. RAs
develop networks of outside expert contacts, in the UK and abroad, to enable cutting-edge research to
challenge and inform the policy making process.