About me

What is it that makes Russians embrace war? 

A specialist in Russian propaganda, media, and culture of war, I've spent over 15 years trying to find out.

I'm a regular media commentator and experienced writer and public speaker. Email me with requests about Russian politics, culture, propaganda, social media, and views on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. 

I’ve written for the Washington Post, Rolling Stone, New York Times, National Post, New Statesman, Guardian, Globe & Mail, and many more. I've interviewed for BBC, CBC, CTV, ABC, YLE, Radio Canada, Mashable, Dainik Bhaskar, VICE News, Times Radio, Metro, The Mirror and many more. I've also spoken at government, policy, think tank, public settings, and in museums and universities all over the world.

I am currently Assistant Professor at the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw, Poland and a Fellow at the Centre for International & Defence Policy in Ontario. In the past, I have taught at the University of Toronto, Queen’s University (Ontario), the Royal Military College of Canada, and the Canadian Forces College. In 2024, I was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in London in recognition of my contributions to historical scholarship.

I studied in the UK and Russia before completing my PhD at the University of Toronto in 2017.