Jan Kozdra is a historian of modern Eastern Europe whose work explores the intersections of nationalism, socialism, and global Cold War politics, with a particular focus on Poland’s post-war political and economic development. His research also examines the history of Polish and global shipping, tracing the role of maritime infrastructure in Cold War diplomacy and economic strategy. His research interests centre on the interplay between nationalism and socialism, Cold War politics, and the role of infrastructure in state-building.

Jan holds a PhD in International History from the London School of Economics and Political Science. His doctoral research, "Playing Second Fiddle? Poland in the Global Cold War, 1956-1970," examined how post-Stalinist Poland pursued political autonomy, which in turn allowed it to play a role in the Global Cold War.